The Journey
My adventure with Alachua County Animal Resources (ACAR) and care began at 7 AM in the morning when I got the call that my family dog Schnaupzy was being put down.
For as long as I can remember, she was my BEST friend and through some tough years was always there to lend an ear (to pet). Regardless of never being able to communicate directly, I, like many, formed an incredibly strong bond with her and began to even regard her as a sister. So, this morning at 7 AM an already difficult introduction to college became even tougher. How do you even mourn when you have no privacy? Well, I did it outside and in tears, with many concerned heads turning my way.
After I began to heal from this and finished up the summer semester, I was slapped right in the face with an overwhelming sense of loss and grief: upon entering my house, a gaping hole of quiet was left by my once closest buddy. To make matters worse, no matter how much I begged, my parents refused to get another pet with a very reasonable argument of “you want us to get an animal so that you can see it for a month a year.” I, of course, responded yes.
After a failed attempt at filling that hole, I began to look into other ways that I could use my love and give my cuddles to other animals. Upon searching within Gainesville, my eyes landed on the link that would begin a wonderful journey. The Alachua County Animal Resources and Care (ACAR) came up and I raced to fill out a volunteer application.
Next thing I knew, I was back in Gainesville balancing a busy schedule and attempting to both attend the orientation and training while also figuring out how in the world I was going to get to the shelter each weekend. Much like everything else though, it worked out and my schedule cleared. I did the 5 hour drive up from winter break with my own car and did both the training and orientation.
First Day
In the blink of an eye, I found myself wrangling my first dog into a play yard and promptly wiping the sweat off my forehead with a sleeve coated in fur, but I would not have changed it for the world. Seeing the dogs fly into a fit of zoomies culminating in me on the floor receiving thousands of kisses brought me right back to the simplest joy petting Schnapzy after school did. Since I have started volunteering, the days in the weeks have turned into a steppingstone to getting to ACAR. I wait and work each day so that on Friday I can get my car from frat row, park it in garage four and race to ACAR the next morning. Seeing the dogs soften the moment the kennel door opens and getting bombarded with hops and snorts has given me not only a connection to dogs again, but a sense of purpose. While my interest started with grief it has turned into anything but. The sense of community at the shelter has also surpassed what I ever could have thought. On my very first day, I met two incredible people: Sarah, the volunteer coordinator, and Matt, a veteran volunteer, who both showed me the ropes and made me feel at home. Since going back, I continue to meet selfless and genuine humans all of whom share my love for these beautiful and misjudged animals. I have found no greater peace and silence than in the cacophony of barks.
Why You Should Volunteer
The moment I knew this was something I wanted to do forever was when I laid on the ground with my favorite dog Jasmine cuddled in my lap and watched the clouds pass and the sky turn a muted orangey blue. It can be hard to find moments of calm on a busy campus, surrounded by the social pressures to live your best life 24/7, but if you need a sanctuary or even miss your pups at home, Alachua County Animal Resources will be the best thing you have ever done.