My story starts six and a half years ago...the journey has been amazing.  Volunteering has been by far one of the greatest adventures I have experienced in my life.  Volunteering at Butte Humane Society isn’t easy.  I have experienced every emotion possible.  I have laughed, sobbed, smiled, been sad, happy, frustrated, excited and been in pain just to name a few. I look back at the dogs that have touched my life forever...there are too many to count, but here are a few.  Many of you have been touched by these dogs too. 

Let’s reminisce...the dog that first stole my heart.  Cash...a gorgeous brown pit. He was with us for over a year and a half. I sobbed when he finally was adopted.  Cash’s life was tragically cut short while protecting his family.  I still get emotional telling the story.  You all know what happened.   

The next thief to steal my heart...Hooch. So adorable and so funny. Hooch was with us over a year.  This dog kept me laughing and on my toes, literally...if you took your eyes off of him in the play yard, no joke he would come barreling at you with a body check.  I laugh just thinking about it.  He was great with other dogs, loved toys, enjoyed walks and the play yard.  He was just young, high energy and overlooked in his kennel. The day he was adopted I was given a heads up and raced over to the shelter to say goodbye. We crossed our fingers he would behave and not be returned. I am so fortunate to be in contact with his adopter. She is amazing and loves him so so much. I get updates regularly. Thank you Abbey.   

And then followed by Charlie...aw Charlie. The heart of the shelter. Everyone loved Charlie. The biggest love bug we’ve had.  Charlie had severe anxiety when outside his kennel. Garbage trucks, cars, motorcycles...he would panic and occasionally  redirect...which is a nervous bite...not aggressive.  To keep him safe and ourselves safe he was muzzled when outside of his kennel.  Charlie wasn’t thriving here at BHS so we reached out to Miranda’s Rescue.   Hoping they would take him, help him with his issues and find him a home...which they did.  Thank you Miranda’s Rescue.   

Now to the pups at the shelter that I see weekly and have stolen a piece of my heart.  Maurice lovingly called MoMo.  He has been with us off and one for a couple of years. Adopted and returned a few times. He has recently shown some signs of stranger danger so we continue to work with him. He loves staff and volunteers and we love him. He loves his walks and time in the play yard and he is a big cuddle bug. He just sits and stares at you...and his smile...he melts our hearts.

My girl Stella...she is amazing, so cute with ears like you’ve never seen.  She is high energy, very food motivated and every opportunity given will  jump all over you. Yes...she needs to work on her manners but I just adore her.  Prior to joining us she was attacked 3 different times by other dogs...so she is very nervous around other dogs.  She has been with us since July and has had zero interest.  It truly breaks my heart she has been with us for 9 months...she's a good dog.  2020 is her year I just know it.  

And I cannot leave out my Roxy...I adopted her in 2015 from Butte Humane Society...an alumni.  I'd have to say six and a half years volunteering and only one adoption...that's pretty good.  My Gypsy passed away in 2012 and I haven't been the same since but my Roxy girl has helped heal my heart.  I miss my Gypsy every day but my Roxy makes each day wonderful.

My goal this year is to raise $1500.  Over the years the money raised through my Bidwell Bark fundraising page has gone towards the care, medications/preventatives, food and housing for Cash, Hooch, my Roxy and will continue the care, medications/preventatives, food and housing for MoMo, Stella, and the other wonderful animals at Butte Humane Society.   Please consider making a donation towards this wonderful organization. All donations are tax-deductible.  Thank you for joining me on this journey. Thank you so much to those that have donated in the past years to help me reach my fundraising goal...I so appreciate you.

”the soul is healed by being with the animals”.