This summer I had a choice between getting a job or finding a place to volunteer. Due to the fact that I am not yet of age to legally get an actual job, I chose to volunteer. I was hesitant at first because I assumed that it would take a lot of effort and I must admit that sometimes I am not the biggest fan of doing more work than I have to. I think we've all experienced that at one point, right? Fortunately for me, working with my local animal shelter gave me a whole new perspective on what it means to work for something you love.

When people find out that I volunteer there, they respond that they think it's 'cool', but they never actually ask what the experience is like. If I were to describe the experience in just a few words, I would say that it is like my second home, the place where I feel like love radiates around as if it blends in with the air. Love is a value that I hold dearest to me, because it can be portrayed in a variety of ways. When I get to spend time with each of those animals, whom are awaiting a home to go to, it is the most special feeling in the world. I have always been a lover of animals, but when I see the wag of a tail or a perking of the ears when I come near them, as if they recognize me, that is what I truly define as love.

As I've become more accustomed to the work it truly takes, I often have to take a step back, because I have genuinely realized that each volunteer does their part, they play a role in the running of the shelter and that is beyond incredible. It makes me feel like the effort I put in, and the passion that I hold for what I do there means something, that I could be making a sliver of a difference just by offering my services.

Volunteering at an animal shelter is not all about playing with the animals. There are many other inside jobs that contribute to the continual running of the organization. But the best part is as a volunteer, you don't necessarily have designated jobs. If a volunteer sees something that needs to be done, they are allowed to just do it, and it feels good to be able to do more than one thing to help.

Often times, though, there are a few downsides to such a job, the one main one being that it is so easy to get attached to an animal. I have grown to know and love every single dog or kitten, even sometimes the occasional boar (shoutout to you, Hickory!), that resides there and it is hard to have to see them sit there each time I visit. Although, I have had to accept that all I can do is try to make up for that lack of love with my own and do my best to make them feel the most comfortable.

I get to wake up early every Saturday morning to go do something that I love and that makes me feel good. Something that started out as a small, simple "summer job" has turned into a weekly job that I cannot help but look forward to. Even though it may be hot in the back room or I might get a little discouraged when one of the dogs shy away from me, I doubt that my love for this no-kill organization and what it stands for will end anytime soon. When I put my heart into something, I don't give up on it, and those animals are way too important, too worthy of love, to give up on. I have started to feel proud about myself and my work ethic and if I can put my effort into something worthwhile, then I won't stop trying to improve. That is something that this experience has made me realize and I couldn't be more grateful. So while I may not always work with or around animals or volunteer at my local shelter, the passion and pride I have for my work in this field so far is a feeling I will always carry with me. Working at animal shelter has taught me that all work has a true purpose, even if a small one, and that purpose is worth pursuing with everything you've got!