I started an internship at a shelter and it is just the most rewarding thing I've EVER done in my whole life! Seriously! I love it so much. I had kind of "lost" myself for a while and I didn't know where I was going, but in the short time I've been at the shelter I feel like I found my calling, I love microchipping, I love giving vaccines, I love holding the babies and comforting them while I draw blood...all because I know I'm helping them.
What I don't love is that my shelter does euthanasia. They told me I don't have to partake in the classes or be certified, unless I felt comfortable. Well I feel like I HAVE to get over being uncomfortable, because I know in my heart it's for the better of the animal, most of the time, but sometimes we flat out don't have room for every stray/owner surrender in the county. So we do euthanize, and I hate it. A couple weeks ago 3 littermate puppies that were in 1 kennel together, all caught parvo. They had to be put down, and then they pulled 12 more (almost EVERY puppy in the whole facility) to be EU'd...I cried and cried and finally went home early.
My favorite dog in the shelter is heartworm positive and has been here for months, so his time is probably coming...I want to adopt him so badly, or pay for his heartworm meds, but I can't. It's heartbreaking. I'm so afraid I'll show up to work and his kennel will be empty. It's a hard job...but it's still my favorite job. |