3B: Permission to Play with the Puppies?

While everyone else was sleeping or lounging by the pool on their weekend mornings, I was playing with puppies.   Every Saturday and Sunday from 9 am – 4

pm I would run an animal rescue.  There was no shelter base so I ran an adoption event at the local Petsmart. The dogs got driven up from South Carolina and were dropped off at several stores on Long Island. Once they got off the truck we would wash them, feed them, walk them, and try and get them adopted.  If the dogs weren't adopted by the end of the event they would go to a foster home until the next adoption event. 

At an early age I was put in charge of the event.  I think it was because my mentor noticed that I would always put 110% into the long day.  I would never complain or get mad and I would always do more than I was told. I was the first one there to help set up and the last one there to help break down.  It was also because she thought I was older then I actually was. 

I never considered this a sacrifice of my weekend.  It was a gain in knowledge, leadership, community service and friendship.   I was responsible for a lot of volunteers, (most many years older than me) dogs (crazy and timid) and also the reputation of the rescue.   I had to make sure everything was running smoothly at all times.  I also had to keep it fun and welcoming so people would want to come back. 

I learned so much about speaking with purpose, making educated decisions, working under extreme pressure and not letting judgments or insulting tempers keep me from doing my job.  I use everything I learned from Last Chance Animal Rescue every single day.  I can only imagine how lost I would be without that experience.  Plus, the puppies were GREAT therapy!