Connections with Animals

Ever since I was little I have loved animals, often more than people. I was always worried if the smallest thing seemed wrong and have been, ironically, always drawn to the runt or injured animal. Ever pet I can ever remember getting or being impacted by has been a stray, rescue, or been from a litter of family friend's pet. (The only exception is my family dog who, to my somewhat objection, was gotten from an Amish family- though since she turned out to be a runt, I guess it makes sense that she ended up in my life.) Recently my sister and I took in a stray cat who wandered into our apartment building- it was pouring outside and we didn't have the heart to send her back out.

Although I have never volunteered at an animal shelter, I have always been interested in it and this course has become the push that I needed to get past my selfish reasons for not going and just go. I am excited and nervous about the things I will encounter while volunteering, but I am appreciative to have gotten some foundation through texts and speakers to accompany me through the process.

I became very pleased when told the survival rate of the PSPCA, as well as, motivated by the devotion of volunteers and community members. I was also very intrigued by the retirement camps that Rachel talked about, as well as, the major influences that Philadelphia had on animal rights and welfare progress. I hadn't previously known how influential Philadelphia was, significantly in starting the move to create shelters to help alleviate moral dilemmas of killing almost all the animals that were supposed to be saved.

My greatest worry is that I will become disheartened, frustrated, and saddened by the backgrounds of the animals at the PSPCA. After gaining insight about how important and influential interactions with animals can be (from "Why Look At Animals), I have developed a new goal to connect personally with the animals and not let any agitations or disapprovals that I may have of their owners negatively affect the animals by affecting my emotion state and non-verbal signals.

I am glad to have the opportunity to apply principles and findings from class and academic work to hands-on, personal work and vice versa. I am also interested in what connections I might make and what I may find out about myself and others along the way.