I’ve realized that my happiest times have been when I’m involved somehow with dogs, which I’ve always loved, and volunteer work. While my day job hasn’t been one to left much extra time for either of these things, my manager has encouraged me to find my work-life balance. It’s almost a cliché today, but it is more important than ever in our stressful world. I think my work-life balance began about 3-1/2 years ago when we got Mater, our Goldendoodle. We committed to taking him to obedience class from the first day we got him, and he still goes today. We began to make new friends there, mostly with the other Doodle “parents”. And we learned about Doodle Romps where they all get together and play. If you didn’t know it, Doodles are the most joyful dogs who recognize one another from blocks away! Mater was so outgoing and happy that he just seemed special somehow, and I realized that his enthusiasm for life was something to be shared. So I looked into training him for Animal Assisted Activities. Everyone I talked to referred me to Paws and Think. We signed up for the class and have been volunteering since then. Mater has brightened our world in so many ways, and I am grateful that he can share his joy in life with others. Paws and Think has provided us the opportunities to get involved both with him and with other people. Most importantly, I know that what we are doing makes a difference. I can see it in every face we meet as we share our lives with this great organization.
