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Sunday, December 20, 2009

Going the extra mile

There is nothing more rewarding then working with a dog day in and day out and helping it find it's forever-home. Being a volunteer can at times be very overwhelming and emotionally draining - but knowing that you helped a dog, that you had something to do with it's adoption....it makes it all worth it.

For 2 long months, a dedicated volunteer named Gail worked long and hard with a shelter dog named Gunther. Every day - every day - Gail came to the shelter to walk Gunther. Some days they would walk around the estuary, other days they would walk to the park, some days they would go to the play area and simply sit together, enjoying one another's company.

When Gunther arrived at the shelter he was aloof, uninterested, stubborn, and what seemed to be a very sad dog. He did not move much in his kennel, choosing instead to lay perfectly still on his bed, avoiding eye contact with any person that came to see him. On walks he was constantly pulling ahead, not paying attention to his person. But with each walk with Gail, Gunther's leash manners and social skills improved, with each walk he became more affectionate, happy, and secure.

In 2 months Gunther became a happy, cuddle bun of a pup who wanted constant love and belly rubs. All it took was one person to take the extra time.Thank you, Gail - for going the extra mile with Gunther. It was your love, patience, guidance, and faith in Gunther that helped him find his forever-home.

Gail did amazing work with Gunther, making him into one of the most adoptable dogs in our shelter. Whoever has the good fortune to be Gail's next "project" is a lucky dog, indeed. Thank you, Gail for all your good work.

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This blog is brought to you by the devoted volunteers of Berkeley Animal Care Services, also known as BACS. BACS is a municipal shelter servicing the cities of Berkeley, Emeryville, Albany and Piedmont in the San Francisco East Bay.