A few months ago I came across an article about a photographer who was using his talents to promote adoptions at animal shelters. His cause is One Picture Saves a Life. The idea was BRILLIANT! He was hoping to spark the interest of other photographers to volunteer for the cause. I knew this was an amazing idea, but I was hesitant at first. For those of you that know me, this is obvious but if you don't know me then let's just say that I am REDICULOUSLY SENSITIVE about animals. I questioned if I would be able to handle going to the shelter and leaving without a car full of animals or at the very least sobbing for hours on end after seeing them in cages. I decided I wasn't helping anyone by using my sensitivity as an excuse.
I emailed the shelter and explained who I was and what I was hoping to accomplish through volunteering. A couple days later I received a response and it sounded like they were as excited about this as I was so we set up a meeting!
In the car on the way to the shelter I was a WRECK!!!! I had prepared, I had taken notes and wrote down all the questions I could think of but my heart was POUNDING!!! I hadn't been in a shelter in oh, 15 or 20 years!!!! I was afraid of how I would react to what I might see. Honestly, would Sarah McLachlan come around the corner singing "Arms of the Angels" and RUIN my whole day!!!! I swear that commercial can send a good day down the tubes in one single note!!! I pulled up got out and tried to calm myself down before walking in. I felt that I had prepared myself for anything. I was wrong...my meeting was far beyond what I had expected!!! I walked in the shelter and was greeted right away. It was clean, smelled great and was not at all the place I had imaged it would be. I saw kind, loving people caring for these sweet, sweet fur babies awaiting new homes and families. I knew, right then that this was the place for me! Now, I know that every animal cannot be saved. I wish they could, but what I do know is that this shelter and many others are giving these animals a wonderful safe place to "hang out" until they get a second chance. I am so happy to be able to be a part of this wonderful group of people! I LOVE photography and I LOVE animals. This is the PERFECT match for me. If you are looking for a new friend I urge you to check your local shelters!! These are not left over animals that no one wants. They are beautiful, sweet lives ready to love you. Shelter's get in all types of animals mixed, full blooded, large, medium & tiny. I've see it for myself, a rescued animal looks at you differently. They KNOW you saved them but mostly, I think they save us!!!
