Shelter Startup
Adventures in Animal WelfareDay Two or the “I can’t hardly move edition”
I’ve just completed day two and I can’t hardly move! Wrestling with animals all day is physical, hard work, I’d completely forgotten, and now i am so sore! I know it will get better, but man, the breaking in period is rough! Today had both good and bad in it.
The good:
1. I was able to move dogs around today and stop the fence fighting going on in the number four kennel. This means dogs will be much more appealing to adopters, plus they will stop wearing themselves out both mentally and physically, and all the dogs around them can have some peace!
2. I sent home the most precious Brittany to a wonderful family. They had lost their Rottie in December at the age of 14, and just a few weeks ago the man had accidentally hit his other dog with the car. He was telling me how bad he felt, and the guilt he had. I told him I completely understood, that the same thing had happened to my dad, and even now, years later, I knew he still felt bad about it. It was so wonderful to send this sweet little dog home with this big burly man who was so smitten with her. That, my friends is why I do this.
3. I’m starting to get a feel about what things need to change, and I am having ideas about what needs to happen to get that done. Though, it does appear that even just having a person in the barn to give the staff some direction, even though it has just been two days, is helpful.
The Bad:
1. One of the staff walked out yesterday. Apparently, this person had some personal issues, and also thought they should have gotten my job. So no one was hugely surprised, however now I am a person short and have to hire another person to take their place.
2. After the walkout, another person called in sick today, fun times. 
3. It’s hot, and I’m out of shape. Nuff’ said.
4. There is just SO much to do. I need to make a list to keep from getting overwhelmed!
5. There is this naughty little min pin I am smitten with, but I will not falter! No more dogs!
Day 1
After completing my first day I know a few things for sure:
1. I am out of shape
2. There is a list of things a mile long that needs to be accomplished just to improve dog care alone, before I even start to think of new animal intake. It seems like every time something has come up in the last two months they just said ” the new kennel manager will take care of that. The expectations are ridiculously high and I hope I can meet them. I have a lot of hard work ahead of me, that’s for sure.
3. It’s gonna be hot soon, and I need some appropriate clothing.
4. The facility needs work, the new barn will be a godsend, I hope they get it up quickly!
Everything else seems feels like there is a lot of possibility if I’m creative and think out of the box, but the whole situation is kind of overwhelming!
Wish me luck!
Counting my “lasts”
Today, I’ve started counting my “lasts”. My last day here in the Austin office, and Sunday I will be making my last drive to the Longview office to spend my last 5 days. It’s exciting and sad at the same time. I’m excited to be in a position to help a young shelter become who they are going to be. I’m excited for cold noses, whiskers, and wagging tails, but I will miss my coworkers here at NetworkIP. I’ll miss the technology, I’ve become quite the technology whore since making some actual money, and marrying my hubby. I’m hoping all the changes, which are hard for me, will bring me some peace of mind and the chance to make a difference in the world.
