Dogs

Mine loves chewing, especially when stressed, so I got an antler for dogs and it helped loads. Keeps her focused and calm for ages without any mess. Some dogs don’t take to them, but mine really did.

There's a YouTube video from the tv series called QI. It's called QI Compilation | Best of Dogs.

You can politely say or explain that your an introvert or on the spectrum or some such to let them know not to assume you want to engage socially (or that you don't), that you are primarily there for the beasties, if your comfortable asserting yourself, that is.

how is that going? I wish the best for the dear dog and thank you for your kind heart.

Yes, that's exactly what I do. No need to socialise at all and spend as much time as poss with the dogs. If you try volunteering first then you will get a good idea of what it's like to work there without the commitment.

I did have a few miscommunications / reading the situation wrongly when I first started (usual for me) but getting on with helping the dogs is what they want you for!

This sounds amazing Herge, you are one of the good ones

I've two, we got Herbert who's a Staffordshire bull terrier from the RSPCA in 2019, he was very shut down as he'd been previously owned by a dog hoarder and he'd been get in a cage for the 1st 4 years of his life. He'd never had an interaction with anything so everything was terrifying.

After a couple of years we got him an emotional support Lurcher (Harper) to help him overcome some of his fears.

This site is super restrictive about image size and doesn't give you an error message, so try lowering the file size and trying again. Like under 1mb or something. 

Hello.

My chihuahuas did you a selfie, but for some reason I can't post a photo???! Anyway, they're called Frida and Carlo and I am with them all the time. They really help me through life and are great to talk to in social situations!

I know most people don't understand dogs and what they can mean to those of us who live with them. I am learning all the time and love interacting with them as another species, learning their language just as they learn mine. And then those times when you feel a deep connection with them, quietly.

I try to give mine as best life as I can. I'm sure they find my very insular life boring, but they're the right breed for me as pretty weird and antisocial themselves!

Love seeing everyone's pooches, I feel for dogs so strongly and worry about them, so seeing happy ones is reassuring ️

Hi. I've been thinking about doing this, it's the only 'work' I can imagine trying now. When you say it's low pressure people-wise, would you say you can stay out of the social group and focus on the dogs? I worry that I'd immediately fall foul of someone wanting to engage me when all I really want to do is help the dogs.

Most dogs coming to the center don't have any history so you don't know what they are or where they are from.

The most important thing is assessing their personality and looking after their individual needs..a good metaphor for life?

I do like the bigger dogs though, there is something comforting about being sat on by a heavy beast!

Hi Boika thank you. I'm so jealous you have such a lovely job looking after so many dogs and getting to be there for them. I would love to do that job when I'm older! What's your fav dog breed?

I think so too. They are always happy to see you no matter what and they'll spend hours with you it's amazing. Every day after school Lilly runs to the garden garden gate to meet me she's so excited I love it.

Hi Isa, nice looking pooch. I volunteer at a rescue center so get a regular "fix" of interaction - it's the best day of the week and recommended it as a low pressure environment for getting work/people experience. 

Dogs are the best. My dog is old and I love him dearly. It's an awesome feeling to start your day by seeing something that's so madly happy for you to come downstairs.