My journey into rescue began with a one pound fluff ball. While working one of my first jobs in my hometown, a guinea pig was surrendered from a hoarding situation. Her outlook was grim and several vets said she wouldn’t live more than a few months. She lived a beautiful 4 years and 6 months (time filled with piggy playdates, birthday parties, and veggie buffets) which I attribute to her resilience.

I am pretty sure that on Sunday, March 27, 2022 I was saved; this is the day I met Lucky Dog Animal Rescue. I wanted to make friends and love animals so I thought, “Why not go spend the day with a dog and help them find their forever home?". Colita was my first, but far from my last. My adventure has taken some turns that I never expected, and always enjoy. During that first event at the Silver Spring PetSmart with Colita I realized that this is something I wanted to be a part of. I also wondered, “How do they get all the pieces to run together so smoothly?”... I MUST find out.

From a young age, my family have always enjoyed companionship of rescue German Shepherds. Growing up in a household where four-legged friends were not just pets but cherished family members, I loved coming home from school to cuddle up with our dogs. The German Shepherd we rescued while I was in High School was a particular favorite of mine. While we were still looking for a new pup to join our home, I said wanted to name our new dog Sadie. My parents insisted that you name a dog once you have met them, and we hadn’t identified a dog yet.

To be honest, the story of my journey into rescue isn't very easy for me to write. Like many of the wonderful people that I work with in the animal welfare community, I've spent a lifetime loving animals. My childhood was heavily colored with experiences that included a variety of creatures, including ducks, chickens, rabbits, small mammals, cats, and dogs. But I never intended to dedicate my life to helping homeless pets.

It all began with our collie and boxer mixed dog named Beauty. Some years later the pet parakeets arrived, then, within a few years, a beautiful lost calico cat arrived which unknowingly to us was pregnant and a few weeks later delivered four kittens. Two were adopted and the other two lived with us. Soon enough along came four gerbils whom my sister volunteered to watch over the holidays for her grade school class.