Cooper

       My first Saturday off! I enjoyed sleeping in until 8AM! I didn't do much this morning until getting ready for my volunteer shift at Dogtown in the afternoon. I went over to the sanctuary at about 12:30 to check in, and then after check-in, I made my way over to Dogtown Headquarters. Amongst other volunteers, I waited in line to find out where I would be assigned for the afternoon. They put me in a section called The Fairway. Here, they basically have young adult dogs. To give you some background, Dogtown has at least 10 different octagon-shaped structures where they house the dogs. These structures have an an inside enclosure as well as an outside run so the dogs have some room to stretch their legs. Within "The Fairway", there's two octagon structures that are named after dogs who passed away. 


        Since it was so hot this afternoon, the caregivers did not want us to take the dogs out for long walks. So for the most part, I did a little bit of cleaning, and socializing with the dogs. Sadly, a lot of the dogs had come from bad situations, so majority of the dogs were very shy and standoffish. I'm glad I could be there for the dogs and spend some time with them... But being around dogs today made me pretty sad. Not only did I feel sorry for the dogs because I can't even imagine what they've been through, but it really made me miss Lola. When I was at The Fairway today, trying to connect with the dogs, I found myself longing to hug and hold my own dog back home. So I'm sad to report that my day in Dogtown wasn't all that great. It made me feel like the next four weeks is going to be an eternity.


       Once I got home from volunteering, I made myself a crappy dinner (noodles out of a bag, woohoo....). Later on, feeling like I really needed to clear my head, I decided to go for a run. I ran all the way down Powell Drive, which is a dead end street. At the end of the street, there is some kind of man-made water source that's surrounded by a fence. I stood there for awhile, listened to my music, took in all of the scenery. I took a moment to ground myself, which I definitely needed after this long week. To give all of you an idea of my scenery...

       After taking it all in and catching my breath, I turned around and ran back home. As I neared home, I saw a big, black, shaggy dog on the side of Powell Drive. He was just sitting there, minding his own business. I started walking towards him. He was across the street so I whistled at him and said "come here boy!". He happily got up, wagged his tail, and ran over to me as if he'd known me his whole life. Once he got over to me, I knelt down to pet him, and he instantly flopped on his side, letting me know that he really wanted a belly rub. Here's proof...

       So as I'm petting this sweet boy, I notice that he doesn't have a collar on. Not knowing what to do, I decided to keep walking and beckon him as I go. He stayed right by my side as if I had him on a leash. As I approached home, I told him to sit and stay as I went inside to get Amberly. He didn't move a muscle. When we came back out, we put a collar and a leash on him, and then we put him into her fenced-in backyard. We managed to find a phone number for Animal Control, and they said they would come out and pick him up. As I waited for Animal Control, he sat right next to me, even on my foot at some point. He laid down next to me, he seemed very comfortable. Every so often, he would look up at me or give me a kiss on the cheek. Needless to say, I was quickly falling in love with this pup! When Animal Control arrived, the officer recognized the dog right away and said, "Cooper, how did you get out boy??". Turns out, Cooper lives right up the street from where I'm staying, where he nonchalantly just left his yard to tag along with me. Although I'm glad he has a home, it still worries me that he doesn't have a collar and that he can escape his yard so easily. (I've noticed that people aren't too bright out here...). I walked Cooper back up the street, put him in his yard, gave him a hug and a kiss, and returned home.

       Once I got home, I couldn't help but think that it was no coincidence that Cooper found me today. I think Cooper knew that I was sad and missing my own dog, and he decided that he would cheer me up. And he definitely did. Cooper reminded me of the beautiful, kind nature of dogs, and their extraordinary ability to make even the worst day better. As he gave me kisses and gave me his paw to "shake", I could tell that he knew exactly what he was doing, and he knew exactly what I needed... I needed the love of a dog.

Week One: Complete!

       I apologize for not blogging on Friday night... It may shock you all to know that I had plans! Michele, a member of the bunny staff, had invited me over to her house for happy hour! So after work, I went home, got changed, and went over to her place. We went for a walk and then we just sat on her porch, talked, and had a few drinks. I'm so glad that I met her... Michele is such a sweetheart and a really cool person. I'm going to miss her next week! I'm probably a little bit too happy to have had Friday night plans... It's been very strange to have no social life whatsoever while in Kanab. 


       Anyway, my last day in bunnies was fun and easy; I cleaned cages and hay boxes. In the morning, the interns were scheduled to attend a presentation on puppy mills. The presentation was given by Dr. Frank McMillian, a veterinarian here at Best Friends. Growing up in Reading, PA, just half an hour away from Amish country... I was already pretty familiar with the prevalence and severity of these horrific businesses, but Dr. Frank has conducted multiple studies in order to study adult breeding dogs that come out of puppy mill situations, as well as, the puppies that come from puppy mills, and I learned so many new things from his research alone. What he found were some very staggering and significant statistics when comparing the behavior/personality of a puppy mill dog vs. a private breeder dog. Unfortunately, I cannot remember the statistical numbers from yesterday, but I do remember that the level of issues that puppy mill dogs have, compared to dogs that are not from puppy mills, is astronomical. Overall, I found his research to be extremely compelling and very vital to the cause of eradicating puppy mills altogether. As an undergrad in the very beginning phases of conducting qualitative research on the human tendencies to anthropomorphize their dogs, I was very intrigued by Dr. Frank's research. Not only because it's fascinating, but he managed to quantify a qualitative study, and basically make it objective. I would love to add a quantifiable, or objective component to my own research one day (as minuscule as it is). Lots to think about in the future!


      This afternoon, I am volunteering in Dogtown! I definitely need to get my "fix". Not that bunnies aren't adorable, but I'm in desperate need of the love and affection that you can only get from a dog! I'm sure I'll have a blast this afternoon! Speaking of adorable bunnies... I'm going to post the last adorable bunny picture today, and to be honest, I think I saved the best for last.

This is Patrick (but everyone tends to call him Patrick Ol' Boy, lol). He is the only lop-eared bunny at the sanctuary right now. He is the most precious little thing you ever saw... He makes your heart melt! I'm happy to report that Patrick is getting adopted next week to a loving home. Yay!

       One week down, four more to go! I will say that this week did not go by quickly, but I'm sure that will change. I miss home, I miss my family, I miss my boyfriend, I miss my friends, I miss Lola. Trying to stay positive and convince myself that these next four weeks will fly by! I can do this.

      Captured this shot on the way home from Michele's last night. So pretty!