A Girl's Best Friend by Suzann

A Girl's Best Friend by Suzann - April 2022 Scholarship Essay

The door opens to a hallway in which each wall is littered with metal cages. The stench is overwhelming, however, what was most terrifying was the constant howling and mewling coming from the cages. As someone who had little experience with animals before this moment, I was frozen as I did not know what I had gotten into. Why would I, someone who has had a record of not being good with animals, decide to volunteer at the animal shelter for the summer. I look around panicked, unknowing that this would be one of the most eventful summers of my life.

I only volunteered at the animal shelter for a short period during my sophomore year. However, that time has stuck with me up until now as I am getting ready to don my cap and gown. My first task was to take pictures at a puppy and kitten drive, in which the shelter was trying to send the newborn animals to loving homes. As I walked around the parking lot in which this was held, I observed the animals as they played with their prospective new owners. The animals seemed so happy to become part of new families that it warmed my heart. The more I looked the more I became infatuated with the cuteness of the animals. At that moment I decided to try to become more involved at the shelter.

I ended up helping clean up the cages quite often during my volunteering hours. The stench which had flooded my nose had now become not as strong. When I remember the amount of scrubbing I had to do to get some of the stains left in the cages my arms ache, however, the safety of the dogs was worth it. I remember my thoughts during that moment quite clearly, it must be hard living your life away from a family. Some of these dogs had been in there for years and they seemed so tired. I wished I could do something.

I soon got promoted to feeding. Sadly this was my last promotion before Covid hit, however, it was the most interaction I got with the animals throughout my journey as a volunteer. The kibble was speckled in brown and red and was easy to fill up. I placed one in each of the cages and the dogs ate merrily in thanks. Have you ever seen a dog who doesn’t light up at a meal? I was proud that I could do something to make the dogs and cats feel somewhat more at home during their stay at the shelter.

Ever since my time at the shelter, I have been consistent in letting my friends know thwart the shelter is always a great place to adopt. So many people often get their dogs and cats from breeders and pet shops but they don’t realize the animals from the shelter are just as good! I have to thank the shelter for my newfound sensitivity to dog shelter commercials on TV but most importantly I must thank them for making me feel much more grateful for what I have and exposing me to the real world.