Saturday, May 14, 2011
Critter Introductions
In the Shelter on Wednesday I entered what felt like a hectic office setting with small offices and a welcoming committee named Zack. It was very bright from the fluorescent lighting and a little over whelming with all of the guidelines and room changes due to disease outbreaks. The cat room was not so bad you could not hear the barking dogs too bad. The dogs rooms on the other hand were very noisy with nervous and frightened dogs of all breeds and sizes. I'm sure they all have different personalities which they can sense from each other much like humans so I can imagine how anxious they all must be. I smelt cleaning products in some kennels which wasn't too strong for me but might be over powering to some of our canine friends. kneeling own to the animals level seems to make them feel a little more comfortable some you could tell had been abused in one way or the other. But imagine being shuffled around room to room with giants walking and pulling you around. Couldn't be a comfortable situation for anyone.
Although I was able to capture several pictures of the kitties after orientation I still thought I would choose this photo as my best because I feel like it represents what Dr. Johnstone had mentioned about the sad commercials using frail puppies, dogs behind bars, and one eyed cats to try and quilt people into adopting/fostering homeless animal. It was very unfortunate that we couldn't stick our hands in and pet them all. I could imagine that being very sad and traumatising for the animals as well. I look forward to giving them some love.
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Not being able to pet them that day was one of the hardest parts for me too. I really enjoyed being able to get one-on-one with a few of them and give them some love.
ReplyDeleteThe picture of that dog is awfully sad... it's little hand up there make it look like he is desperate to get out. I was not there since I am volunteering in Durham but that would be hard not to pet them and show them attention. It makes me hope that people are adopting bc they want to add a member to the family and not just out of pity.
ReplyDeleteI appreciate your comment about getting down on the animals level, something I've found especially helpful and soothing to some dogs. The big dogs, I did have to be careful with because they're strong and I think could knock me over, but even with them I think it's useful. I did cats when I got to photographing and it was true with them as well that eye level often helped me to seem a bit less threatening.
ReplyDeleteGreat photo for evoking emotion in the viewer. The image makes me want to volunteer and help. The dog has desperation in his eyes. The color is striking too. Good record of your first day at the shelter! This will be interesting to revisit later in the course!
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