Just got back from CHAMPS orientation and I still don’t know which dog to choose for the program this time. I will have to go to the shelter on Friday and walk some dogs so I get a better feel for a fit…will report back!
These are a few of the choices I’m contemplating…
Santana
Sashi
Zinda
Blakester
Decisions, decisions…
Your Spunky One
I am really excited because the next round of CHAMPS at MaxFund starts tonight!
CHAMPS stands for Creating Homes for Agreeably Mannered Pups and is a program where volunteers, under the direction of a volunteer who is a certified dog trainer, work one-on-one with dogs to positively train them so they can gain skills and be more successful adoptees!
Ready the yellow lab graduates from MaxFund's CHAMPS program
I did the spring session with a yellow lab named Ready, who was successfully adopted right after the program ended. I couldn’t do the summer session because of the new job and getting life somewhat adjusted, so I’m really excited to be back in it this autumn.
The hardest part about the program is deciding which dog to work with–there are so many and I just want to work with all of them! I have to always remind myself of my limits and to be okay with doing what I can do instead of feeling badly about what I can’t. This is very important, I think, in order to do anything of any importance, to look beyond what brings you down and concentrate on the things that are possible. In the end, it all adds up and it’s better to do something than nothing. If I concentrate too much on not being able to do enough, then I find I do nothing. Being paralyzed by fear or any inability to accept what is–this is a challenge for me at times–but I’m getting better at putting one foot out in front of the other!
While I’m still contemplating dogs, I know I’ll find the right fit and will hope the work I do with this dog makes it possible for him or her to find a FOREVER home! I look forward to sharing this journey in upcoming blog posts.
Love,
Your Spunky One
“Do what you can, with what you have, where you are.” – Theodore Roosevelt
One of my favorite videos!
Just getting started on a new blog to document my life and times…and just doodle around with words here and there!
I’m embarking on a career change. After years of doing office administration, marketing, public relations and business development for a variety of corporations and nonprofits, I’ve realized I really hate the stress and demands of the work I was doing. Sure, I did a lot of things I loved too, and I learned a lot, but I rediscovered the joy I get when I’m around animals.
Growing up, I wanted to be a lot of things, but one of the first and most passionate ideas was to be a veterinarian. Animals made me very happy and I get very passionate about animal-related issues. I decided to volunteer at a local no-kill shelter, MaxFund, last fall. This has very much impacted my life and made me fully aware how much I wanted to do more.
This October I will begin taking a training program through Animal Behavior College to be a certified dog obedience trainer. I will also be completing the veterinary assistant program. It’s my hope to gain a lot of knowledge and experience to ultimately use to work for myself and alongside shelters and rescues to positively impact animal welfare. This journey is exciting and daunting. I have not been in school for a long, long time, and never online. While the “bookstuff” happens all online, I will have an on-hands training portion to be completed under a mentor, and will also have to complete an externship at a vet clinic or hospital. I will have to take tests! (And I HATE taking tests!) I am trying to maintain a positive self-image but it’s a bit challenging, as I feel a lot of pressure to do well. It means so much to me!
Jasper and I in Buena Vista
My pup, Jasper, will be with me on the journey, as he will be my practice dog for my training. He is now 11 months and I will admit I have spoiled him a bit–he will be a proper trained boy through the process, with any luck!
If you’re reading, thanks…this is really just a way for me to better document what I’m doing and see how far I make it in my journey, as well as just to practice writing. I’ve not been writing for the sake of just writing in a while. Who knows what content will make it here? I hope you enjoy it…whoever is out there!
Love,
Your Spunky One
