Why I Love the Volunteer Work I Do
About 3 months ago or thereabouts, I got voted in as the Chairman of the Board of Westie Rescue of North Texas. While completely gratified and flattered, I was immediately aware that the onus of the Rescue’s success now lays on my shoulders. I have a fantastic Board of Directors, but when it’s all said and done, it’s on me. Or I feel like it is.
Fundraising. Adopting. Surrendering. Volunteers.
And I LOVE IT. Here’s why:
Baby Daisy @ 4 weeks old - the first picture her breeder sent me.
I love the Westie breed. They are some of the sassiest, confident, CUTEST breeds of dogs. Before I got Daisy (my inaugeral Westie and my heart dog), I researched “non-shedding” dogs, because that was my one requirement in a pup, and the Westie came up as an option. But the more I researched (and this was 20 years ago in the dawn of the internet, so there was little information online), the more I fell in love with the potential of having a Westie. I went through a breeder to get Daisy. No regrets there, but my time with the Rescue has shown me that there are plenty of wonderful dogs out there that need great homes that aren’t from a breeder.
Daisy gave me every bit of her 17 years, and I will never forget her. I bought a stroller for her! I do this in large part as a tribute to her.
This job plays right into my sweet spot: organizing, planning and communicating. I am an executive assistant by trade, and this volunteer opportunity means I get to flex those muscles.
I get to work with some fantastic people. Janie, Mike, Donna, Jo, Dee, Jim and Cheryl have been instrumental in showing me the ropes and giving me the wisdom of their vast years of experience in this world of rescue.
Westie Rescue of North Texas has given me a mission in my life. A few years ago, my sister urged me to get involved in volunteering, and I just couldn’t find anything that really excited me. One night, after a couple of glasses of wine, I applied to be a foster for WRNT, and two weeks later, I got the call to foster Winston and Trixie. They were my first fosters, and they were my first foster fail. And I haven’t looked back.
And, the dogs. There are so many dogs that need homes, guys. Breeders are getting out or being pushed out of the business, and the dogs are ending up in rescue or shelters. I beg of you…if you’re looking for a pet, hit the shelters first. I know Westie Rescue of North Texas is a niche rescue and we deal in a specific breed, but if you don’t have a preference or a love for a particular breed, please consider adopting one of the thousands of dogs that are in a shelter. THOUSANDS get euthanized daily — perfectly good dogs for which there is no room or resources to care.
My sweet girl Daisy - the one who started it all.
I highly recommend volunteering, you guys. Whatever your passion is, there’s an organization out there with a mission that will click for you. You just have to pray and find it, and it doesn’t have to be something earth-shattering or world-changing. God brought me to WRNT out of the blue (through two glasses of wine and an impulse!), and it’s been one of the best things that’s ever happened to me. Go get yours.
