Saving Riley

Riley is a three year old Beagle/Basset who came into my life two years ago. I had been volunteering at my local Humane League in what I had convinced myself was my way to give back to these animals who have always provided so much love and friendship; subconsciously, however, they were helping me heal from the broken heart of having lost three of my beloved dogs in that past year.

It was a joy to be able to meet these deserving animals; I loved being able to take them outside to run and play and spoil them with treats, to somehow show them that this was only temporary and that they weren't forgotten. They were good dogs, and we wanted them to know that they were loved.

The general rule for the volunteers was that we were allowed to walk the older dogs, but the staff members would take care of the younger puppies. This was fine with me, as I love big, older dogs, and I typically adhere to rules. But after bringing back inside a beautiful Yellow Lab and starting towards the exit, I paused near another kennel. Inside was a tiny brown, white, and black puppy, looking up at me and waiting patiently. I quickly read his information: his name was Rocky, a ten-month old Beagle/Basset mix who had been given up for adoption. Still a puppy, I mused as I crouched down to say hello. I shouldn't...

But I did.

Call it love at first sight, call it instinct, call it an inexplicable bond. Call it those eyes that, to this day, will let him get away with anything...I hooked the leash around him and took him out to one of the smaller pens to play.

He romped, he howled, he played. My heart was his. "You're all riled up!" I recall saying over and over again as he ran towards me, then darted away. And then I knew it. His name was Riley, and he was coming home with me.

I barely remember what he looked like then or when the moment is that I fell in love with him. All I know is that my heart recognized him from the instant I saw him as a very special part of my life, and I wasn't willing to let him go.

My life has been filled with so much love and joy thanks to this rile-up little boy. Sure he has chewed my sneakers and left bits of his rope toy as another layer of the carpet; sure he was called best in his obedience class before promptly forgetting everything upon "graduating;" sure he snores incredibly loud and hogs the bed...But he howls in greeting when I come home and rushes over to cover me in kisses, he wags his tail and looks at me adoringly when someone instructs him to come find me (or maybe he's just looking for food), and at night he curls up and leans against me, reminding me that I matter just as much to him as he does to me.

He is my greatest responsibility and my greatest reward. He starts my day off with a smile, and his antics keep me laughing all day long. He has helped my heart heal from loss and has proven what unconditional love really means.

It's so easy to love a dog. I may have provided him a forever home, but he is my heart, forever.

According to the Humane Society of the United States (hsus.org), there are 6-8 million dogs and cats in United States animal shelters each year, with roughly half of those animals being euthanized due to lack of space and financial resources. Too many people are giving up their animals for adoption, while not enough are adopting from shelters.

More than 20% of people who give up their dogs originally adopted them from a shelter. It's an alarming percentage, as these animals may spend the majority of their lives in shelters, some never knowing what it means to have a family. Perhaps even more surprisingly, over 25% of dogs in shelters are purebred.

Consider saving a life in more ways than one. Bring home a shelter dog; bring home a forever friend.

For more about the benefits of adopting and for more statistics on animal shelters, please check out Humane Society of the United States: Animal Shelters.

Not everyone is ready to bring a dog into their lives, and that's ok! Dogs are a member of the family and can be a huge responsibility. But if you still want to help shelter animals, there are some great alternatives:

- Volunteer: Animal shelters rely heavily on volunteers to help walk, groom, clean, and play with the animals they're caring for. Still in school? See if your institution accepts credit for your time. Employed? Spice up your resume by showing your community support. Volunteering at an animal shelter looks great on a resume (and one wag of a tail may be all that's needed to relieve some of that work-day stress!). Contact your local shelter for information on volunteer programs.

- Donate: Monetary donations are always welcomed, but if money is tight, you might find it difficult to give back in the ways you'd like. Consider donating gifts-in-kind. Old towels, sheets, and bedding provide warmth and comfort to animals in shelters, particularly during the winter months. And those tennis balls you have stored in the garage make for great toys.

Have a little extra cash? Many grocery and dollar stores have toys and treats for less than $1 each that could help the shelter feel a little bit more like a home.

Remember: charitable donations are tax-deductible; don't be afraid to ask your shelter for a receipt for your donations.

Giving even a little can go such a long way in providing comfort and happiness to these deserving animals.

Please note: Aside from donations, I have no affiliation with Pedigree, Humane Society of the United States, or the ASPCA. I simply have a love of dogs and wish to do my part in finding these special animals a loving, lasting home.