Diary of a Dogcatcher

<p><span style=color: rgba(38 40 42 1); background-color: rgba(255 255 255 1)>No one has ever said they wanted to be a dogcatcher when they grew up. But I knew.</span></p><p></p><p><span style=color: rgba(38 40 42 1); background-color: rgba(255 255 255 1)>I didn't know the word but I caught my first dog when I was six years old and then fell in love with every animal I saw wild or gentle large or small in real life or on television. I didn't even know how to tie my own shoes yet but I knew that someone needed to help animals in trouble. Once my shoes were finally tied and for the rest of my life I've known that someone was me. </span></p><p></p><p><span style=color: rgba(38 40 42 1); background-color: rgba(255 255 255 1)>Along the way I met thousands of animals and learned their stories in my work as a horse trainer volunteer and then a professional in the animal welfare world. It took nearly three decades before I understood that one day I would need the animals to save me. On that day I took what was left of my courage and showed myself the door. That was 12 years ago. But I kept their stories. Every animal had one and every animal's story needed to be told. These are just a few. </span></p><p></p><p><span style=color: rgba(38 40 42 1); background-color: rgba(255 255 255 1)>The animals I met inspired me filled my heart then broke it made me laugh made me cry and helped build bridges with friends who will never fall no matter how many years pass. In these stories you'll recognize your own dogs and cats horses a tiger or two and maybe even a fish. You'll read sit back and remember your own childhood your first dog maybe your first great loss. Then you'll think of that friend you haven't called in a while someone with a shared connection with animals and you'll call them rediscovering the magic found while in the presence of animals and the people who love them. </span></p><p></p><p><span style=color: rgba(38 40 42 1); background-color: rgba(255 255 255 1)>These are the stories of a dogcatcher but they are also your stories.</span></p><p></p>