Liz Dycus – Buddy Center and CSU Spur
What inspired you to volunteer at the League?
When my 18-year-old Jack Russell, Pogo, passed away it left a huge whole in my heart. I wasn’t ready for another companion, but I needed my dog fix. What better way than to volunteer taking care of and interacting with lots of other dogs? After about a year, I was ready and found my new forever dog friend at the League.
What’s one of the most important/surprising thing you’ve learned volunteering OR what’s the funniest thing that has happened while volunteering?
When I started volunteering, you had to remain in your position for a minimum of three months. I figured I’d do dog care and then move on to –what was then considered – a promotional position like dog walking when my time was up. Four years later I’m still cleaning kennels and taking care of the dogs. It feels good knowing the dogs have a clean kennel, fresh water, and treats.
Do you have a favorite quote you’d like to share?
“Be the person your dog thinks you are”. C.J. Frick
What do you do while you’re not volunteering at the League?
I’m still working full time but in my spare time I love to read, take photos while hiking, and do watercolor paintings of animals.
Anything else you’d like to share?
I move out of my introverted engineer self when I’m around animals. They put me in my Zen place!
Terry Brown – Leslie A. Malone Center
What inspired you to volunteer at the League?
My love for animals.
What’s one of the most important/surprising thing you’ve learned volunteering OR what’s the funniest thing that has happened while volunteering?
I’m amazed with the dedication that staff members at the League provide sheltered animals.
As far as funny stories go, one time I was transferring a small snake along with other animals. When I arrived at the designated shelter, the snake was not in the carrier. I discovered it was right next to me! The Loveland Shelter person said it was seeking warmth. I’m ok with snakes, but I was startled.
Do you have a favorite quote you’d like to share?
Many years ago when I was getting a degree at CU, I had a saying for study habits, “The sooner you get behind in your studies, the more time you have to catchup.”
What do you do while you’re not volunteering at the League?
Mostly gardening and hiking.
Anything else you’d like to share?
The staff are very friendly and kind. I very much enjoy working with all of them. I’m 70 something years old but find myself treated like everyone else. Thank you for the wonderful experience!
Julie Cornelius – Harmony
Equine Center
What inspired you to volunteer at the League?
I was looking for a volunteer opportunity and happened to be driving by Harmony, not even aware that the facility existed. Having had horses growing up and a love for animals, I stopped in to take a look. I was impressed with how beautiful the facility was! After walking around, grinning from ear to ear, I knew this was a place where I wanted to spend time volunteering.
What’s one of the most important/surprising things you’ve learned volunteering OR what’s the funniest thing that has happened while volunteering?
I learn something new about horses every day I’m at Harmony. I never knew horses were such a social animal. The majority of them end up bonding with another horse who becomes their very best friend. Seeing them groom one another and run around chasing after one another is heartwarming. It is bittersweet when one is adopted and says goodbye to the other. The one left behind is initially distraught but in a couple of days that horse has a new best friend.
Do you have a favorite quote you’d like to share?
“Begin and end each day with a grateful heart”.
What do you do while you’re not volunteering at the League?
Enjoying retirement, reading, baking, flower gardening, and camping with my husband and dog.
Anything else you’d like to share?
Between the employees and volunteers of Harmony, each brings their own strengths to the table and complements each other. We are all there for the same reason, to nurture the horses & send them on their way to the next chapter of their story.
I am so grateful to be a part of such a worthy cause.
Amy Caswell – Foster Parent Program
What inspired you to volunteer at the League?
My husband and I wanted a dog at the time but weren’t ready for the commitment. Around this time, I received an email from the Dumb Friends League explaining that they needed foster parents and that the League was having an open house. I signed up for the open house thinking I was going to foster dogs. I have fostered a few dogs but found that I loved fostering cats (especially the harder ones-behavior and medical) and small mammals.
What’s one of the most important/surprising thing you’ve learned volunteering OR what’s the funniest thing that has happened while volunteering?
When I tell people I foster behavior cat, most people automatically think of the feral ones, and don’t think they can change. Some are under-socialized, but some cats who were in a home before they were relinquished don’t react well to the shelter environment and show behavioral issues in the shelter.
Do you have a favorite quote you’d like to share?
“People say that ‘money can’t buy you happiness’ have never paid an adoption fee.
What do you do while you’re not volunteering at the League?
Outside of work and volunteering, I enjoy hiking, white water rafting, photography, scrapbooking, traveling, reading, and hanging out with my four resident cats (plus husband and adult kid).