I hate this!

Thank you guys so much for giving me support!  Reading through what ya'll have said made me cry.  I really REALLY needed that encouragement.  Its so great to have a place like this where people understand.
 
The poodle is going home at night with one of the lady who works at the front desk.  She says it has split personalities and will just turn on her, but I think shes going to adopt it.  Whenever I would work with her I would sit behind the desk where this lady is, so she kinda got attached... so Im thinking (and hoping) that she just decides to keep her.
 
What yall have said means a lot to me so thank you for talking me through[]
 
Everyone here is a hero for dogs.

I told them I cant work on Saturdays, and they are closed Sundays and Mondays, so I do get a 3 day weekend break.  I think that helps me regroup, but by Friday I really need the break.  I guess it will get easier with time, but I dont think Ill ever be able to keep my emotions out of it... Sometimes I think I should open another shelter - a bigger one.... there are so many around here though, its shocking the amount of dogs out there with no home.

I just spoke with the quartermaster at the Rainbow Bridge and you are being sent your angel wings. But, just like the Army, one size fits all, so you may have to take in or let out a little, here and there.
 
A big hug and doggy slobber.
 

Thank you Ron, that means more than you know[]

Oh hun, I hope this was just a rant!
You gotta know all the good you are doing is much more then a lot of us could handle. Know that we all need you too, to do the job of a angel and give these animals a lasting memory of what love from humans is really supposed to be like. Whether they are going to a place not of this earth or being adopted you have given them back something priceless. I'm not just spouting BS here and you better know it.
All we have to offer a companion animal is the reciprocation of the love that they give to us, unconditionally, whole heartedly, and forever. That is what you do! I imagine it must be a terribly hard job to do but when you start feeling down, take the love you have for these animals and turn it into pride for what you do!

It was a rant, but I waited a while - until I couldnt help it.  I dont want to get burned out, and everything you guys have said has helped way more than I can explain to you.  That said - I have realized Im not very strong, in fact, Im way more sensitive than I would like to be.  I want to cncentrate on the good, but thats not as easy as it sounds.  I will not quit.  I wont.  I wont let myself...  I just got my angel wings too, so I have to wear them proudly and do my job. 
 
I just may need you guys to lift me up once in a while when my spirit starts to drag.
 
I think this is my calling.  I will open a shelter one day, no doubt.  I have thought of law school and beyond... and while I will continue to invest in real estate as much as possible, my daily duties will be devoted to helping these dogs in need.
 
Im very grateful to you guys.

I had to go work today on one of my side-jobs. And I thought of something on the way home as I listened to the radio. This is for you, And Glenda, and Angel, and all the others involved in rescue, or at least supportive of it and on behalf of the discarded furries who just want someone to love..
 
From the words of Sir Elton John and Bernie Taupin.
 
"You can tell everybody
This is your song.
It may be quite simple but
Now that it's done
I hope you don't mind
I hope you don't mind
That I put down in words
How wonderful life is
While you're in the world."

Amy - you are strong.  For someone who loves animals as you do, to go to the shelter each time you go, is real strength of character.  They say that courage is not the lack of fear, it is doing whatever it is despite the fear...  The same here, strength is not the lack of feeling sad and disheartened when you see animals suffering, it is doing all you can to help - despite those feelings. 
 
You keep posting every time you need a lift.  To each of us who has ever adopted a dog from a shelter or a rescue - we owe our furkids lives to people like you - don't forget that...  And when you are ready to open that shelter - you let us know that too - I know that I for one will be here to help in any way I can!

Thanks again Ron[]... I never heard that song but Im glad to be in that group that you think it applies to!
 
I thought about that - I really have been starting to consider plans and stuff for a shelter... I would love you guys help!  I need to get more thought into it though, but that would be too cool... and everything I dont like about the one Im at now, I can change.  I know I have ya'll here to help!

Amy,
I admire and respect what you do so very much. I know that I myself do not have the courage to work in a shelter. You are my hero. And good luck to you with the shelter! I wish that there were more people in the world like you!
 
Hugs and doggie slobber
 
-Ellen and Cookie

If you listened to pop music in the 70's, you heard it.
 

hehe, I wasnt born until '82....
 
I do like older music though, but more old (classic) rock like the eagles, lynard skynard, hmm Im having a brain fart Ill hafta go look them up...

Amy-
I've done rescue work for years.  You see things you never imagined people could allow happen to animals, let alone deliberately inflict.  But you're also privy to the amazing lives and spirits of so many animals that you do help.  It makes a difference.  There's a story about a beach strewn with starfish - hundreds of them, baking in the hot sun, inevitably going to die.  A little girl is on that same beach, picking up the starfish one by one and hurling them back in the ocean.  A man observes and comments to the girl "Why are you even bothering?  There's too many starfish, you can't save them all.  You can't make a difference."  And the girl stares him in the face, picks up another starfish, hurls it into the ocean and says, "Well, it just made all the difference in the world to that one." 

I think that applies to rescue work.  You cannot save them all.  But you can help some.  And you can see just from this forum what a tremendous ripple effect it can have.  The rescue dog brings new life to an empty home, a playmate to a lonely dog, a reason to get up out of bed for the severely depressed.  That dog helps his new owner learn so much about dogs, and second-hand dogs - knowledge he brings to the next dog he owns, or the friend who has unanswered questions.
 
Your work helps those animals, those people, and helps educate others about animals and pet ownership.  I'm rooting for you.  But remember if you're suffering, you won't be much good to the dogs.  There will always be dogs that need help - don't let the dogs circumstances hold you hostage to one rescue/shelter.  If you feel it's right for you, stay.  If it's not, find another rescue/shelter you can help.  They all need help in one form or another.
Sending you peaceful thoughts to get you through your days...
Paige & "Gracie"

Oh, criminy, I am an old fart. I graduated high school May 25, 1982. Anyway, listen to an oldies station and you're bound to hear it. I know your parents would have listened to it a few times. There was no getting away from Elton John (now, knighted) back then. He was always in the top 20. I think I'll go take a geritol and fill out my AARP form.
 
 

[sm=rofl.gif]lol