<![CDATA[ODCHS - Blog: An Inside View]]>Sat, 21 Jun 2025 17:57:36 -0500Weebly<![CDATA[Reggie Love]]>Sat, 19 Nov 2016 03:28:09 GMThttps://www.odchs.org/blog-an-inside-view/reggie-love
Dear Reggie:

I hope you know ... someone wasn’t very nice to you. The scars on your neck and head tell about your past. But. I hope you know, that when I touch those scars, I only want you to feel love. Right now you live in a shelter. But, I hope you know, that doesn’t mean there is something wrong with you. It is a safe place for you to be.

Maybe for today, no one came by to see you. But, I hope you know, many people who have never, or maybe never will meet you, donated money, food, or supplies because they care about you.

You spend a lot of time in your kennel. But, I hope you know, when someone comes to walk you, maybe once, maybe many times, they are giving of their time because your well-being matters to them.

You watch me as I drive away and leave you there. But, I hope you know, while I am gone, I will talk about you so people know how funny and cute you are! Your pictures are shared so adopters will know who and where you are.

You live without the special comforts of your own home. But, I hope you know, I will not give up until your family comes for you.

​Love,
Your Volunteer
Picture
Sweet Reggie.
]]><![CDATA[Just a Little Note]]>Sat, 19 Nov 2016 03:26:16 GMThttps://www.odchs.org/blog-an-inside-view/just-a-little-noteIt may be a cliche to say so, but cliches exist because of the truth they come from: There is so much more to be gained, than to be given, by volunteering. 

In volunteering, I have crossed paths with people I would not have otherwise met. It is nice to meet so many like-minded people. Some I have met and never seen again. Some, I feel fortunate to now call friends. Either way, I am happy for the opportunity. From the young, the younger, and the young at heart, it is impressive to see the generosity and caring of this community! If the young people who volunteer at the shelter are an indicator of things to come, I am feeling better about the future.

Being in the company of dogs somehow puts this crazy world in a calmer state for me. Walking the path or just hanging out with them, can almost always, make a bad day into a good day, at the very least, for the time spent there.

Witnessing an adoption is an emotional event. Having families or an individual find the right pet to complete their family is the reason the shelter exists. There are not many of us who have never needed a second chance. The abandoned cat and dogs at the shelter are no different. They all have a story. Some had great homes and others were not so lucky. Either way, when the match is made for an adoption all the waiting with them makes sense. It is volunteer payday. 

How to Volunteer]]><![CDATA[Different but the Same]]>Sat, 19 Nov 2016 03:11:20 GMThttps://www.odchs.org/blog-an-inside-view/different-but-the-sameSkye is a little puppy who was literally dumped by her owner. Gino is a big guy, an older fellow who had lived in a loving, caring home until his owner passed away. Both ended up at the shelter for very different reasons. In spite of their differences, both found themselves in the same situation at the same time! As with all of us, we never know where our paths will lead us. Maybe, once again, we can learn something from our four-legged friends. Be slow to judge for life is a journey with ups and downs, and paths can cross at many different junctures. They now are both in the same situation again! But now, it is because they were adopted. They  have a renewed spirit to live and a breath of fresh air filled with love! Thank you to their adopters and to all adopters for giving shelter pets a second chance.
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