The Craigslist Post that changed my life

Absolutely excellent post, Lazlowe. You rock.

I once went to the animal shelter in Sherman, Texas. I was following the wonderful example of resident doggy angel Glenda and was donating the half bag of Innova that I had tried  with Shadow. And came away with a broken heart. So many dogs dying for attention. A beautiful siberian husky mix, looked a lot like Bluelightning's Blue. A female lab mix who can never be adopted out and is, by order of the state of Texas, to live out her life in that shelter. As a younger dog, her owner poured gasoline on her and set her on fire. She's a bit defensive towards people, especially people with darker skin color and she is aggressive toward other dogs. A bigger kennel scares her. The offending piece of trash that did this to her got a 6 month suspended sentence. I would like to suspend him, literally. That's why I would have a problem being an ACO. You have to have the right temperment.

So, I donate money when I can. They have a mobile pet adoption set-up at the Petco in Sherman every Saturday. Once in a while, that Petco will have a donation drive where you can add however much to your final sale.
 
Toward the right end of Petco, you can see the mobile kennel, donated by a local philanthropist. Then, more to the right and in front of it, you see a Sherman AC&C truck with a red horse trailer. In that horse trailer is table and some chairs so that you can do the adoption process right then and there.

What a wonderful thing to do and an amazing way to brighten the lives of sweet animals who have so little.  The world needs more people like you to give a little bit of themselves!!

Really sweet words! But I was not looking for praise at all.

I was so compelled to share this feeling I had with everyone I know.... in hopes to raise light on the situation.

I have some time on my hands this summer so I think that I will try to just do some dog -walking with the shelter dogs, just to keep them company. I would foster but we have a full full house.

The local animal shelter in Sherman will also take donations of blankets, raised dog beds that are cooler, and pet carriers, such as you would use for cats and toy dogs. And they will take food donations and, of course, money.
 

I am glad you posted this.  I have been thinking about volunteering at the SPCA this summer while I am not teaching but I am worried I will want every dog there and my bf will not allow more .  My other fear is getting fleas or some other illness that could get my dog sick.  Is there a high risk of getting my dog something bad by walking and playing with the dogs at the shelter?

To be absolutely careful keep a specific pair of shoes to wear ONLY there, take them off before you step into your car and put them in a plastic bag only to be opened when next you get there.  Strip off your clothes when you get to your door and dump them immediately in the wash. 
 
That keeps you safe -- yes, at a shelter you can pick up parvo, or anything else -- but just that bit of care can save SO much.

This is exactly why I volunteer. I am greeted like a long lost relative each and every time I go in.Kitty paws stretch out and dog tongues frantically stick out to lap at my fingers.  i spend time with each animal even if it's only a few minutes.  I figure it can't hurt and CAN help a lot.

If we buy this house I want to either foster, or get a dog at a time from a kill shelter and find homes for them... Or maybe both... >o.o<

I've wanted to foster for years... I hope someday I can. >-.-<

I too have wanted to foster, but SO is not too keen on the idea, so I am thinking of just volunteering at our HS.  When I graduate from grad school (in 3 weeks!![8D]) I will have more time, so I may do it this summer. 

You'll wind up like Glenda, caring for fosters, feeding good food, and training and offering good advice, and still get called names. It's a tough road for a doggy angel.