At the animal shelter people who get approval can take a dog out for the day. Some of us are not able to foster because of rental agreements, other dogs, young children, etc….The next best thing to fostering is taking a dog out of the sheltered environment for a break. This could be for 30 minutes to a weekend overnighter.
I did my first DDO last Saturday and I’m addicted! Of coarse for my first adventure, I took Hinkley whom you can read about in my former blogs. I really wish I could bring her to my home but they ask us not to bring them into an environment with other dogs. Since I have two beautiful boxers living with me, I could not bring her to a home environment but we had a beautiful day together.
Our day out consisted of cheeseburgers, two park visits, a hike, and a leisurely roll in the grass and nap, well for Hinkley, that is. I just watched her enjoy herself and my heart was doing cartwheels.
The other purpose of a Doggie Day Out is to help the dogs get exposure so they can get adopted. When people come into the shelter, they have no idea what jewels are hidden in those kennels. All they see is the outside of the dog: not it’s personality. A lot of dogs get overlooked or passed by and for the staff and volunteers who work with these dogs every day, it breaks our hearts.
Some dogs are so stressed out inside the kennel but once out and away from the strangers coming through and the dogs passing by, they become a whole new dog. On Doggie Day Outs you see a dramatically different dog. They become relaxed, playful, and more loving.
My beautiful, shy Hinkley rolled in the grass and took a wonderful nap. I got to see another side of her personality and it was beautiful.
Today when I went to the shelter, I saw this adorable girl get excited to see me.
Sometimes right after a DDO a dog will get immediately adopted. But sometimes they don’t. Fostering and DDO’s give people a chance to get to know a dog and many dogs end up getting adopted by their fosters but even if they don’t they get “seen”.
Dog shelters really need YOU! Why not take a dog out for a few hours or a few days. This is an awesome opportunity for you to help give a dog hope! I recently hit my 200th hour of volunteering. If something ever happens where I can’t walk anymore, I still plan of doing Doggie Day Outs. I hope those reading this will consider brightening up the day of one special dog.
If you would like to know more about Hinkley click on this web address Hinkley’s Adoption Info
Hinkley. When I first met her she was so timid and afraid. I had to have help getting her back into her kennel on our first walk together because she was so scared and I wasn’t sure if in her fear, she would bite me. She was even ducking when a staff member tried to help her. We got her back in her cage ..It took two of our staff.I quit walking her for about 4 or 5 days. Instead I would come up and talk to her and bring her treats. I wanted to win her over. I noticed she wasn’t getting afternoon walks and my heart started hurting for her. So one day I said,” The heck with this I’m gonna try again with you sweet girl.”I have watched her go from timid and fearful to becoming more and more brave every day. She greets you at her cage with tail wags now and doesn’t flinch any more when I reach down and pet her. With her tail wagging, she tries to go up to others to say hi now.She was so loved by the Dog Squad (volunteers that help walk and care for sick dogs) when she was in ISO (Isolation) with an upper respitory infection and now by several volunteers since back in our main kennels and is such a different dog today.The day before she went into ISO, I had taken Hinkley for a walk. She didn’t flinch one time. As we were walking to her kennel, she went up to 3 of our staff wagging her tail. I wanted to cry. I was watching Hinkley blossom right before my eyes. And not only that but this slow moving, shy dog had pep in her step as we walked.When she was in ISO the first few days, I would sit in her kennel with her sometimes for 20 or 30 minutes at a time trying to coax her out for a walk. When we would come back, I would join her once again in her kennel until she fell asleep while I petted her.Hinkley is back in the main shelter now and feeling good . She stands at her kennel door waiting for someone to walk her.On Sat I was chatting with a fellow volunteer and Hinkley jumped up on me and just stayed there for a few. That was so huge!!!! And in the play yard, I got my first kisses from her. She even sticks her nose in my treat bag with great confidence that her temporary momma is gonna feed her.I wish I could adopt her so badly but it just isn’t possible for me at this time but if we can keep showing her ( and all those shy hurt ones) it’s ok to be loved and love back then just maybe one day that special person will walk in and see this wonderfully happy dog that was meant just for them and a beautiful adoption will happen. That’s my prayer for Hinkley……………and well, for Channing and Roo and Tiny Dancer, Denim and Bella Brown and Daphne and and and and……Every volunteer no matter how often they show up, makes a difference in these precious babies lives. Every time a dog is walked or fed a treat or played with, they get love. Love they wouldn’t have on the streets or in an abusive home. Every time a dog gets adopted, we all do dances in our heart and celebrate online. Love always makes a difference!!!Hinkly is available for adoption at the KC Pet Project at 4400 Raytown Rd in KC. MO.
Saving Spencer 