Travel Time: 50 minutes
Volunteer Time: 1 hour
Total Volunteer Time: 28 hours
Today we were down one member, but in the great spirit of community, another dedicated volunteer came to cover our loss and almost took out the entire potty list single-handedly. I'm only exaggerating slightly.
I spent most of my time with Mr. Johnny Cash who is getting a little round and I think needed the extra time out of his dorm. He's getting very strong with all the muscle he's got on him but he's still a sweet boy who likes to sit down touching you when you pet him.
I tag-teamed the tiny pair of Raymond and Little Bear, who are so adorable and tiny I'm amazed they're still here. Little Bear is a cuddler, she doesn't want to be anywhere else if she can jump into your lap and she's got hops. Raymond's a little more adventurous and will spend time off the lap exploring and he doesn't have the jumping ability Little Bear's got going on.
Saturday, April 16, 2016
Thursday, April 14, 2016
Blog Topic #9
My CP relies primarily on private donations. As far as I know, given that both locations are in Burlingame, money is accounted for pretty consistently and as far as I can remember both as a volunteer and as an adopter, services tend to remain consistent.
The fact that a lot of the work I am involved in and get to see is consistent, sometimes means I forget how long I've actually been at this. Every time someone asks me, I have to think about it because a lot has changed, but most day to day operations have remained the same, so it's hard for me to remember I've been at this for five years.
I think PHS services and the money for that is all in-house, I don't think we contract out others and a lot of people on the ground are volunteers. Without having as many volunteers as they do, there's no way they could do a lot of the incredible services they provide.
The fact that a lot of the work I am involved in and get to see is consistent, sometimes means I forget how long I've actually been at this. Every time someone asks me, I have to think about it because a lot has changed, but most day to day operations have remained the same, so it's hard for me to remember I've been at this for five years.
I think PHS services and the money for that is all in-house, I don't think we contract out others and a lot of people on the ground are volunteers. Without having as many volunteers as they do, there's no way they could do a lot of the incredible services they provide.
Tuesday, April 12, 2016
Blog Topic #8
I am obviously not privy to the budgetary decisions of PHS and as a volunteer, I do not get paid.
That being said, I grew up with two dogs and a large tank of fish. At one point, both dogs were in for surgery. So as someone who's had pets, I have a pretty good idea of how expensive they can be. A lot of PHS funds go to food, proper health care, both for the animals they are trying to adopt out or rehabilitate, and for the pets of San Mateo residents. It is so much more cost efficient to go get your animal neutered at PHS than at the vet. Our vet even said go to PHS, they do neutering and spaying all the time, he rarely did it and he couldn't charge like PHS.
PHS is really about the animals, they have the Hope program where donations go directly to animals with behavior or medical problems that would be immediately put down at other shelters. But at PHS they have the opportunity to improve and get adopted out.
I think Hallmarks 4, 5, and 6 mesh well with what my CP does.
That being said, I grew up with two dogs and a large tank of fish. At one point, both dogs were in for surgery. So as someone who's had pets, I have a pretty good idea of how expensive they can be. A lot of PHS funds go to food, proper health care, both for the animals they are trying to adopt out or rehabilitate, and for the pets of San Mateo residents. It is so much more cost efficient to go get your animal neutered at PHS than at the vet. Our vet even said go to PHS, they do neutering and spaying all the time, he rarely did it and he couldn't charge like PHS.
PHS is really about the animals, they have the Hope program where donations go directly to animals with behavior or medical problems that would be immediately put down at other shelters. But at PHS they have the opportunity to improve and get adopted out.
I think Hallmarks 4, 5, and 6 mesh well with what my CP does.
Hallmark 4: We commit ourselves to community service.
PHS is run for the benefit of San Mateo pet owners in so many different ways. It's a one stop shop for whatever a pet owner may need in both material services like spay/neuter, food, microchipping and in intangible services like pet loss support group and behavior classes.
Hallmark 5: We embrace the gift of diversity.
The Hope program along with the center mission of the shelter to adopt out all healthy animals allows animals that get put down in other shelters like pit bulls or dogs with medical conditions a chance to have a forever home.
Hallmark 6: We create community among those with whom we work and with those we serve.
There are so many ways to get involved with PHS. You can adopt, you can volunteer, you can donate. If you were a low-risk inmate at a local prison, the TAILS program may have allowed you to care for a dog until they got adopted. People can call animal control for a dog that looks like its gotten out, that's PHS.
Friday, April 8, 2016
Time Sheet Entry #12
Travel Time: 40 minutes
Volunteer Hours: 2
Total Hours: 27
My night started off with a manageable potty list and my gang of four ready to rock it.
My mom and I took out two big boys for sanctioned playgroup - Pongo and Danny. I got Danny who needs to have his pulling worked on but he is a very sweet, playful boy who comes immediately when called and takes his commands well. He's got a lot of energy, the exact same can be said of Pongo and though we had them out for a nice long time, I am not sure either of them were totally tired. I don't know if you can tucker either of them out completely.
My second pairing was Raymond and Little Bear. Little Bear is a girl. What struck my brother and I about them was how tiny they are. We haven't taken out dogs that little in a very long time, if ever. But they were very cute even if we were both a little worried we might accidently step on them. They were a lot of fun once we had them out and the fact that they can both fit in a teacup means that we probably won't be seeing those two sweethearts again.
The night ended with Cleo, who may be a human trapped in a dog's body because she uses her paws for everything. She's very dexterous. Last week when my brother was trying to put her leash back on her, she shoved her paws out at him, like a stiff arm in football and ducked her head onto her chest while she sat on her butt, essentially blocking my brother's ability to clip the leash to her harness. She's a smart girl.
As always, except for maybe last week, check my furry friends out: http://peninsulahumanesociety.org/adopt/dog.html
Volunteer Hours: 2
Total Hours: 27
My night started off with a manageable potty list and my gang of four ready to rock it.
My mom and I took out two big boys for sanctioned playgroup - Pongo and Danny. I got Danny who needs to have his pulling worked on but he is a very sweet, playful boy who comes immediately when called and takes his commands well. He's got a lot of energy, the exact same can be said of Pongo and though we had them out for a nice long time, I am not sure either of them were totally tired. I don't know if you can tucker either of them out completely.
My second pairing was Raymond and Little Bear. Little Bear is a girl. What struck my brother and I about them was how tiny they are. We haven't taken out dogs that little in a very long time, if ever. But they were very cute even if we were both a little worried we might accidently step on them. They were a lot of fun once we had them out and the fact that they can both fit in a teacup means that we probably won't be seeing those two sweethearts again.
The night ended with Cleo, who may be a human trapped in a dog's body because she uses her paws for everything. She's very dexterous. Last week when my brother was trying to put her leash back on her, she shoved her paws out at him, like a stiff arm in football and ducked her head onto her chest while she sat on her butt, essentially blocking my brother's ability to clip the leash to her harness. She's a smart girl.
As always, except for maybe last week, check my furry friends out: http://peninsulahumanesociety.org/adopt/dog.html
Friday, April 1, 2016
Time Sheet Entry # 11
Super Pongo Special!
Total Time: 8.5 hours
I almost forgot to add the time the last two Saturdays we've brought Pongo to our house for home visits/ see how he behaves outside of a shelter environment. The first time we worked on couch guarding and he responded well to discipline but he tried his hardest to get on the couch and he was very creative in his attempts. A popular one was pushing his toy further and further back so that he 'obviously' just had to jump up in order to retrieve it.
The second visit allowed him on the couch, but where he promptly took a nap. FYI, he snores and he only rests comfortably when he's touching you. He will literally use his paw to draw your hand back near his head if you've gone away for no good reason.
Total Time: 8.5 hours
I almost forgot to add the time the last two Saturdays we've brought Pongo to our house for home visits/ see how he behaves outside of a shelter environment. The first time we worked on couch guarding and he responded well to discipline but he tried his hardest to get on the couch and he was very creative in his attempts. A popular one was pushing his toy further and further back so that he 'obviously' just had to jump up in order to retrieve it.
The second visit allowed him on the couch, but where he promptly took a nap. FYI, he snores and he only rests comfortably when he's touching you. He will literally use his paw to draw your hand back near his head if you've gone away for no good reason.
Time Sheet Entry #10
Travel Time: 40 minutes
Volunteer Hours: 1.5 hours
Total Volunteer Hours: 18.5 hours
Today was another short night and I ended up only walking Cash and spending most of my time in the dog park with the rest of the reds hanging with the big dogs that needed to go out.
A pair took Pongo and Danny, who were cleared to play together and they were adorable in the yard. They have a bromance.
Our night was finished with Elsa, who did zoomies around the yard and was quite exciting to watch. She manages very tight turns for a girl her size
Volunteer Hours: 1.5 hours
Total Volunteer Hours: 18.5 hours
Today was another short night and I ended up only walking Cash and spending most of my time in the dog park with the rest of the reds hanging with the big dogs that needed to go out.
A pair took Pongo and Danny, who were cleared to play together and they were adorable in the yard. They have a bromance.
Our night was finished with Elsa, who did zoomies around the yard and was quite exciting to watch. She manages very tight turns for a girl her size
Friday, March 25, 2016
Time Sheet Entry #9
Travel Time: 40 minutes
Volunteer Hours: 1.5
Total Volunteer Hours: 17
This was one of the shortest times I've been at the shelter. We were really lucky in having a short potty list, made shorter by RAMBO GETTING ADOPTED!!!! It's very exciting when one of the favorites gets a forever home.
My first friend was (Johnny) Cash who was wonderful as usual. He likes to snuggle and I even got a few little kisses from him.
We have a new dog this week, Beowulf, who my partner in crime says we could ride into battle. He's a big boy, about waist high on all fours, but he's a sweetie. He isn't even up on the website yet and given that he's a ginormous, calm, sweet shepherd mix, I don't think we will be seeing him next week.
We also got to check out a play group (where two or three dogs from different dorms under the Behavior Department's supervision get to hang in the Dog Park) of Pongo, Maggie and Gordo. Pongo, a Dalmatian naturally, hung out with us last Saturday and he was unusually calm and well-behaved in the Dog Park. He has become attached to my mother and is not acting like the amped boy in need of lots of exercise he came in as. Which is fantastic and he was so easy and calm in the park. It was a little crazy.
We ended the night with Elsa who was not interested in tennis balls at all.
Volunteer Hours: 1.5
Total Volunteer Hours: 17
This was one of the shortest times I've been at the shelter. We were really lucky in having a short potty list, made shorter by RAMBO GETTING ADOPTED!!!! It's very exciting when one of the favorites gets a forever home.
My first friend was (Johnny) Cash who was wonderful as usual. He likes to snuggle and I even got a few little kisses from him.
We have a new dog this week, Beowulf, who my partner in crime says we could ride into battle. He's a big boy, about waist high on all fours, but he's a sweetie. He isn't even up on the website yet and given that he's a ginormous, calm, sweet shepherd mix, I don't think we will be seeing him next week.
We also got to check out a play group (where two or three dogs from different dorms under the Behavior Department's supervision get to hang in the Dog Park) of Pongo, Maggie and Gordo. Pongo, a Dalmatian naturally, hung out with us last Saturday and he was unusually calm and well-behaved in the Dog Park. He has become attached to my mother and is not acting like the amped boy in need of lots of exercise he came in as. Which is fantastic and he was so easy and calm in the park. It was a little crazy.
We ended the night with Elsa who was not interested in tennis balls at all.
Blog Topic #7
Two local government units my CP works with are the District Attorney's Office and San Mateo County. The PHS investigates animal cruelty cases and can remove animals from abusive situations but it is the District Attorney's Office's jurisdiction to prosecute. When someone who resides in San Mateo county gives up their animal to PHS, they have to pay a surrender fee which is set by and sent to San Mateo County.
I do not have the whole history of PHS down by heart, but the current president, Ken White, is someone I routinely see when I'm volunteering and he's always very polite and thanks us for volunteering. In addition, PHS is run by a Board of Directors, who are all local residents volunteering their time working to fund PHS. I have a list of current members below, maybe some of you recognize them.
Current PHS/SPCA Board members
Carter Beim
Amanda Brown Chang
Stephen Creager
Barbara Dali
Vanessa Getty
Ken Goldman
Nikita Kahn
Guy Kawasaki
Ian Parker
Rob Solomon
Ken White
I do not have the whole history of PHS down by heart, but the current president, Ken White, is someone I routinely see when I'm volunteering and he's always very polite and thanks us for volunteering. In addition, PHS is run by a Board of Directors, who are all local residents volunteering their time working to fund PHS. I have a list of current members below, maybe some of you recognize them.
Current PHS/SPCA Board members
Carter Beim
Amanda Brown Chang
Stephen Creager
Barbara Dali
Vanessa Getty
Ken Goldman
Nikita Kahn
Guy Kawasaki
Ian Parker
Rob Solomon
Ken White
Friday, March 18, 2016
Time Sheet Entry #8
Travel Time: 40 minutes
Volunteer Hours: 2
Total Hours: 15.5
This was a pretty normal evening for us Thursday potty walkers. My night, though it was still light out, started with Rambo. Rambo has a new harness and since he's so playful with his harness it made it a little slower than usual to get him in it. It also involved him thoroughly licking my face but I'm not complaining about that.
Next I got to tag-team Gordo and Maggie, who were good on the walk but they like hanging out with each other in the dog park more. Mr. Gordo was not so shy with me this time and let me pet him.
My last pair was Mamas and JD who were awesome as usual in the dog park. JD was his happy-go-lucky-loving self, he hung around with my partner in crime, lying near his feet getting petted once he got a toy he could chew on.
Mamas being a herding dog, a breed I grew up with, makes me weirdly more comfortable with her. I know the breed characteristics really well so it's kinda intuitive to play with her. We've had a few herding breeds, including some border collies and Australian cattle dogs, which were the two my dogs growing up were.
I got to work with one that was paired with a shepherd and another volunteer and she had taken this cattle dog out before and wondered how I was getting her geared up so quickly and having such an easy time with her. The cattle dog was deaf and I didn't know any hand signals that would have made it obvious I knew how to work with a deaf dog. And I had to pause and think about it for a moment and just shrug and say I knew the breed.
This volunteer also ended up being friends with the people who adopted the shepherd and herder and said they were having a hard time getting her settled for bed. She wondered if we, me and my partner in crime (brother), had any advice for them. We both said they needed to run her (play fetch with her) before bed and they couldn't stop until the dog was tired. Once they started that regimen she settled down easily.
When I was playing fetch with Mamas and moving really quickly so she'd stay wired and interested I had a moment of realization that if I hadn't grown up with the breed, I wouldn't really know how to work with dog from it.
I had to learn the characteristics of pit bulls and Chihuahuas and I only learned that from working with PHS, but it's weird to think that I have breed experience I can bring to the shelter from my personal life. Which was only possible because we adopted our cattle dog from the shelter.
Volunteer Hours: 2
Total Hours: 15.5
This was a pretty normal evening for us Thursday potty walkers. My night, though it was still light out, started with Rambo. Rambo has a new harness and since he's so playful with his harness it made it a little slower than usual to get him in it. It also involved him thoroughly licking my face but I'm not complaining about that.
Next I got to tag-team Gordo and Maggie, who were good on the walk but they like hanging out with each other in the dog park more. Mr. Gordo was not so shy with me this time and let me pet him.
My last pair was Mamas and JD who were awesome as usual in the dog park. JD was his happy-go-lucky-loving self, he hung around with my partner in crime, lying near his feet getting petted once he got a toy he could chew on.
Mamas being a herding dog, a breed I grew up with, makes me weirdly more comfortable with her. I know the breed characteristics really well so it's kinda intuitive to play with her. We've had a few herding breeds, including some border collies and Australian cattle dogs, which were the two my dogs growing up were.
I got to work with one that was paired with a shepherd and another volunteer and she had taken this cattle dog out before and wondered how I was getting her geared up so quickly and having such an easy time with her. The cattle dog was deaf and I didn't know any hand signals that would have made it obvious I knew how to work with a deaf dog. And I had to pause and think about it for a moment and just shrug and say I knew the breed.
This volunteer also ended up being friends with the people who adopted the shepherd and herder and said they were having a hard time getting her settled for bed. She wondered if we, me and my partner in crime (brother), had any advice for them. We both said they needed to run her (play fetch with her) before bed and they couldn't stop until the dog was tired. Once they started that regimen she settled down easily.
When I was playing fetch with Mamas and moving really quickly so she'd stay wired and interested I had a moment of realization that if I hadn't grown up with the breed, I wouldn't really know how to work with dog from it.
I had to learn the characteristics of pit bulls and Chihuahuas and I only learned that from working with PHS, but it's weird to think that I have breed experience I can bring to the shelter from my personal life. Which was only possible because we adopted our cattle dog from the shelter.
Tuesday, March 15, 2016
Blog Topic #6
How would you characterize the lawmaking process?
I would characterize it as long, drawn-out and frustrating on the people doing it while they're doing it and very satisfying if a bill becomes law.
Every time I read about the law-making process, I am always hit with how many steps there are, how incredibly long it can take and amazed at how anything ever gets done. But then I read about states that have passed bills allowing rapists visitation rights and I lose what little confidence I have in a lawmakers' perseverance that I've gathered from how long it takes to make a bill law and we are basically right back at square one in terms of my distrust of elected officials.
I understand why the process is so drawn-out in theory, you want a bill to be robust and worthy of becoming a law, you want it to go through the wringer, and get challenged by as many people as possible as a way of showing if it passes, it has the acceptance of the majority of people that represents others. I think it's a cultural inclination to have trouble wrapping my head around inefficiency when so much of American culture pushes efficiency.
I also imagine that dealing with that process often during the year must take a lot out of a person and give a huge boost when all that hard work has paid off.
I would characterize it as long, drawn-out and frustrating on the people doing it while they're doing it and very satisfying if a bill becomes law.
Every time I read about the law-making process, I am always hit with how many steps there are, how incredibly long it can take and amazed at how anything ever gets done. But then I read about states that have passed bills allowing rapists visitation rights and I lose what little confidence I have in a lawmakers' perseverance that I've gathered from how long it takes to make a bill law and we are basically right back at square one in terms of my distrust of elected officials.
I understand why the process is so drawn-out in theory, you want a bill to be robust and worthy of becoming a law, you want it to go through the wringer, and get challenged by as many people as possible as a way of showing if it passes, it has the acceptance of the majority of people that represents others. I think it's a cultural inclination to have trouble wrapping my head around inefficiency when so much of American culture pushes efficiency.
I also imagine that dealing with that process often during the year must take a lot out of a person and give a huge boost when all that hard work has paid off.
Monday, March 14, 2016
Time Sheet Entry #7
Travel Time: 40 minutes
Volunteer Hours: 2
Total Hours: 13. 5
Primary Research : 1 hour looking for topic
We were missing one of our number Thursday evening, but we still did a pretty good job getting everyone out that needed to get out.
This was the first time in two months I had the privilege of working with 'Johnny' Cash, a handsome tan and white pit bull who is also a marvelous walker. He's still as adorable as the last time I worked with him.
Next up was Elsa, who was a little more excitable than usual, but she's super affectionate and I'm just happy that she's filled out since when she first arrived.
Following Elsa was the amazing pair of JD and Mamas, who are one of the easiest bonded pairs I've ever been involved in taking out. They are so well-behaved and chill.
We ended the night shy Gordo, who was interested in seeing me, but was still too cautious to go all the way. We also had Maggie time, who is very sweet and affectionate.
http://peninsulahumanesociety.org/adopt/dog.html
Volunteer Hours: 2
Total Hours: 13. 5
Primary Research : 1 hour looking for topic
We were missing one of our number Thursday evening, but we still did a pretty good job getting everyone out that needed to get out.
This was the first time in two months I had the privilege of working with 'Johnny' Cash, a handsome tan and white pit bull who is also a marvelous walker. He's still as adorable as the last time I worked with him.
Next up was Elsa, who was a little more excitable than usual, but she's super affectionate and I'm just happy that she's filled out since when she first arrived.
Following Elsa was the amazing pair of JD and Mamas, who are one of the easiest bonded pairs I've ever been involved in taking out. They are so well-behaved and chill.
We ended the night shy Gordo, who was interested in seeing me, but was still too cautious to go all the way. We also had Maggie time, who is very sweet and affectionate.
http://peninsulahumanesociety.org/adopt/dog.html
Friday, March 4, 2016
Time Sheet Entry #6
Travel Time: 40 minutes
Volunteer Hours: 2
Total Hours: 11.5
We had six volunteers last night. It was fantastic. The potty list was surprisingly long, but I only did a couple of dogs because we had a pack of people walking them. Chai and Buddha got adopted, which we were all very excited about and put a really good spin on the evening overall.
I took out Mamas and JD with my partner in crime because we as volunteers constitute a 1:1 ratio of volunteer to dog on walks. They were perfect as always, cute and easy to walk on a leash. They're both kissers, which is what happened when we returned to their dorm after their potty walk. We got JD and Mamas kisses, which are lovely to get.
After the potty list was done, I met my doggy doppelganger Maggie, who is very cute and sweet and gentle and a little shy. She is very adorable and deserving of the name Maggie. She is also a kisser and a very thorough one at that.
Once again, I let the link to the adoptable dogs page and a list of the friends I hung out with tonight.
http://peninsulahumanesociety.org/adopt/dog.html
JD & Mamas, Elsa, Bryndl, Maggie
Volunteer Hours: 2
Total Hours: 11.5
We had six volunteers last night. It was fantastic. The potty list was surprisingly long, but I only did a couple of dogs because we had a pack of people walking them. Chai and Buddha got adopted, which we were all very excited about and put a really good spin on the evening overall.
I took out Mamas and JD with my partner in crime because we as volunteers constitute a 1:1 ratio of volunteer to dog on walks. They were perfect as always, cute and easy to walk on a leash. They're both kissers, which is what happened when we returned to their dorm after their potty walk. We got JD and Mamas kisses, which are lovely to get.
After the potty list was done, I met my doggy doppelganger Maggie, who is very cute and sweet and gentle and a little shy. She is very adorable and deserving of the name Maggie. She is also a kisser and a very thorough one at that.
Once again, I let the link to the adoptable dogs page and a list of the friends I hung out with tonight.
http://peninsulahumanesociety.org/adopt/dog.html
JD & Mamas, Elsa, Bryndl, Maggie
Friday, February 26, 2016
Time Sheet Entry #5
Volunteer Hours: 1.5 hours
Total Volunteer Hours: 9.5 hours
Drive Time: 40 minutes
This Thursday was a short evening like the one I mentioned a couple weeks ago. The potty list looked good, most of the dogs had been out during the day, so I only worked with three dogs.
This week we had the usual group back and I ended up doing more teamwork than last week. I helped distract dogs so that another volunteer could take one out. Sometimes the dorms are hard to get in and out of if there's three or more dogs or if a particular dog wants all of the attention and tries to get it by misbehaving.
At the same time, there is something fun about having three volunteers in a dorm, two distracting dogs while one tries to grab the one that hasn't got out yet and run. I really like the sense of solidarity we have as a group, where we all know we've been there when some things don't work out the way we'd like to.
This was one of many weeks where I've been asked by a fellow volunteer to go into the gear closet and find a harness that will fit a dog they're planning on taking out. I may feel a little too much pride when I get it right on the first try, but I try very hard to get it right the first time so that we can do more at the shelter.
This is also the first week we've had JD & Mamas, a bonded pair, in the indoor dog park together. They're hilarious. They both play fetch and they don't fight over toys. JD chews ropes in the slowest, most exaggerated manner I've ever seen. Mamas takes a tennis ball in her mouth, rolls onto her back and moves her body back and forth like a gleeful slug. It's one of the most entertaining dog idiosyncrasies I've ever had the pleasure of viewing.
If you guys are curious, we have a camera in the dog park. It's right at the top of the adoption page I keep linking to my blog. Which I will do again, right now, along with the dogs I hung out with this week.
JD & Mamas, Sassy, & Coco
http://peninsulahumanesociety.org/adopt/dog.html
Total Volunteer Hours: 9.5 hours
Drive Time: 40 minutes
This Thursday was a short evening like the one I mentioned a couple weeks ago. The potty list looked good, most of the dogs had been out during the day, so I only worked with three dogs.
This week we had the usual group back and I ended up doing more teamwork than last week. I helped distract dogs so that another volunteer could take one out. Sometimes the dorms are hard to get in and out of if there's three or more dogs or if a particular dog wants all of the attention and tries to get it by misbehaving.
At the same time, there is something fun about having three volunteers in a dorm, two distracting dogs while one tries to grab the one that hasn't got out yet and run. I really like the sense of solidarity we have as a group, where we all know we've been there when some things don't work out the way we'd like to.
This was one of many weeks where I've been asked by a fellow volunteer to go into the gear closet and find a harness that will fit a dog they're planning on taking out. I may feel a little too much pride when I get it right on the first try, but I try very hard to get it right the first time so that we can do more at the shelter.
This is also the first week we've had JD & Mamas, a bonded pair, in the indoor dog park together. They're hilarious. They both play fetch and they don't fight over toys. JD chews ropes in the slowest, most exaggerated manner I've ever seen. Mamas takes a tennis ball in her mouth, rolls onto her back and moves her body back and forth like a gleeful slug. It's one of the most entertaining dog idiosyncrasies I've ever had the pleasure of viewing.
If you guys are curious, we have a camera in the dog park. It's right at the top of the adoption page I keep linking to my blog. Which I will do again, right now, along with the dogs I hung out with this week.
JD & Mamas, Sassy, & Coco
http://peninsulahumanesociety.org/adopt/dog.html
Friday, February 19, 2016
Time Sheet Entry #4
Time: 2 hours and 30 minutes
Total Volunteer Time: 8 hours
Drive Time: 40 minutes
Last night was one of those tough nights that ends up working out. Usually, there are four or five of us regulars that come in on Thursday nights to do the potty list. This time around, we were down to two. Also not in our favor, was how few dogs had actually gotten out earlier that day and how long the potty list was that week. So we got ourselves ready for a long night and the possibility we wouldn't be able to give all the dogs at least something.
But then the cavalry arrived. Three other volunteers showed up and we actually managed to fill up the board for Thursday. Every dog had gotten something by the time we were done. It was a great feeling going from a low to a high. But more often than not, we can ask other volunteers to show up and they do. We're independent most of the time, but we know how to work together with as many as three other people and how to network. There have been times in the past where I've been called in to fill in for someone else in their usual time slot because they're sick or out of town. It's really nice to be able to rely on other people who care as much as you do about the work we're all doing.
I did four dogs this week, which will be listed below along with a link to the adoptable dog page and the other half of their bonded pair. Seriously though, check them out.
Mamas/JD, Elsa, Chai/Buddha, Boots
http://peninsulahumanesociety.org/adopt/dog.html
Total Volunteer Time: 8 hours
Drive Time: 40 minutes
Last night was one of those tough nights that ends up working out. Usually, there are four or five of us regulars that come in on Thursday nights to do the potty list. This time around, we were down to two. Also not in our favor, was how few dogs had actually gotten out earlier that day and how long the potty list was that week. So we got ourselves ready for a long night and the possibility we wouldn't be able to give all the dogs at least something.
But then the cavalry arrived. Three other volunteers showed up and we actually managed to fill up the board for Thursday. Every dog had gotten something by the time we were done. It was a great feeling going from a low to a high. But more often than not, we can ask other volunteers to show up and they do. We're independent most of the time, but we know how to work together with as many as three other people and how to network. There have been times in the past where I've been called in to fill in for someone else in their usual time slot because they're sick or out of town. It's really nice to be able to rely on other people who care as much as you do about the work we're all doing.
I did four dogs this week, which will be listed below along with a link to the adoptable dog page and the other half of their bonded pair. Seriously though, check them out.
Mamas/JD, Elsa, Chai/Buddha, Boots
http://peninsulahumanesociety.org/adopt/dog.html
Wednesday, February 17, 2016
Blog Topic #5
I found an article about Virginia's legislature, specifically, their House of Delegates, approving a bill that would protect people who disapprove of same-sex marriage. This would allow, if they were say restaurant owners, to refuse service to a couple and not be punished for it.
Now this did not pass in the House of Delegates with an overwhelming majority, several Republicans in the House paired with Democrats, so the total votes lined up as 53 in favor to 46 against. Given that the governor of Virginia is a Democrat, this bill will likely be vetoed. But the fact that it is in play and can get through a chamber in a bicameral legislature hones in on the fact that the fight for same-sex marriage isn't completely over. The federal government and many states have affirmed it, but other states are still fighting against it.
What I found very interesting about the article is part of the argument against the bill employed by the Democrats of the House: "House Democrats urged their colleagues to vote down the bill, saying the measure would give taxpayer-funded groups a broad license to discriminate and hurt Virginia's reputation nationwide." This seems big to me, this acknowledgement of not wanting to go backward, it does hearken back to a Jim Crow South, and not wanting to make those mistakes again just against a different group. I just find it a rather enlightening viewpoint.
I posted a link to the article below, in case anyone is interested.
http://www.loudountimes.com/news/article/house_oks_bill_seeking_to_protect_same_sex_marriage_foes432
Now this did not pass in the House of Delegates with an overwhelming majority, several Republicans in the House paired with Democrats, so the total votes lined up as 53 in favor to 46 against. Given that the governor of Virginia is a Democrat, this bill will likely be vetoed. But the fact that it is in play and can get through a chamber in a bicameral legislature hones in on the fact that the fight for same-sex marriage isn't completely over. The federal government and many states have affirmed it, but other states are still fighting against it.
What I found very interesting about the article is part of the argument against the bill employed by the Democrats of the House: "House Democrats urged their colleagues to vote down the bill, saying the measure would give taxpayer-funded groups a broad license to discriminate and hurt Virginia's reputation nationwide." This seems big to me, this acknowledgement of not wanting to go backward, it does hearken back to a Jim Crow South, and not wanting to make those mistakes again just against a different group. I just find it a rather enlightening viewpoint.
I posted a link to the article below, in case anyone is interested.
http://www.loudountimes.com/news/article/house_oks_bill_seeking_to_protect_same_sex_marriage_foes432
Friday, February 12, 2016
Time Sheet Entry #3
Total Volunteer Time: 5 1/2 hours.
Travel Time (Thursday 2/11) - 40 minutes
I spent two hours yesterday evening at PHS getting dogs out for their night bathroom break. Tonight was a surprisingly regular evening. I took out three dogs, all the dogs had gotten out and we just had to focus on the potty list which also looked really good.
Though one of my dogs, Rambo, hadn't had a walk yet that day, which struck me as odd, because while he is a bigger dog, he's very gentle and stays by your side on the walk. He doesn't pull. So I took him for his thirty minute walk and he was piece of cake. He gives little bunny kisses because his lower jaw is a lot shorter than his upper. It's adorable.
My brother and I took out a bonded pair, two dogs that are very close either because they came in together or because they've bonded while at the shelter and must be adopted together, Mamas and JD. Mamas is this tiny blue heeler, so this itty bitty black herding dog. JD is this giant shepherd. But they came in together and need a loving home. They are also a breeze to walk and they also give kisses. JD being a shepherd, his are a little wet and undignified, whereas Mamas, having a tiny mouth, has very soft, little kisses.
The four of us that do doggies on Thursdays ended with one of our favorites, Coco, in the indoor dog park at the Lantos facility on Rollins. It's beautiful. Coco is a long-legged brown Chihuahua who is extremely affectionate once she knows you but it does take her a little while to warm up to new people. She's hilarious, she'll run all over as fast as her legs can carry her and then suddenly jump on someone's lap and sit there as long as they pet her.
Travel Time (Thursday 2/11) - 40 minutes
I spent two hours yesterday evening at PHS getting dogs out for their night bathroom break. Tonight was a surprisingly regular evening. I took out three dogs, all the dogs had gotten out and we just had to focus on the potty list which also looked really good.
Though one of my dogs, Rambo, hadn't had a walk yet that day, which struck me as odd, because while he is a bigger dog, he's very gentle and stays by your side on the walk. He doesn't pull. So I took him for his thirty minute walk and he was piece of cake. He gives little bunny kisses because his lower jaw is a lot shorter than his upper. It's adorable.
My brother and I took out a bonded pair, two dogs that are very close either because they came in together or because they've bonded while at the shelter and must be adopted together, Mamas and JD. Mamas is this tiny blue heeler, so this itty bitty black herding dog. JD is this giant shepherd. But they came in together and need a loving home. They are also a breeze to walk and they also give kisses. JD being a shepherd, his are a little wet and undignified, whereas Mamas, having a tiny mouth, has very soft, little kisses.
The four of us that do doggies on Thursdays ended with one of our favorites, Coco, in the indoor dog park at the Lantos facility on Rollins. It's beautiful. Coco is a long-legged brown Chihuahua who is extremely affectionate once she knows you but it does take her a little while to warm up to new people. She's hilarious, she'll run all over as fast as her legs can carry her and then suddenly jump on someone's lap and sit there as long as they pet her.
Monday, February 8, 2016
Blog Topic #4
Subsidiarity is essentially having the goal that the lowest level of government possible, should be the one in charge of whatever service it seems best suited for. It doesn't mean that everything should be dropped as close to the local level as possible, only the things that the local level is deemed to handle better than a higher level of government. It isn't a political idea in essence, it's more of a 'keep government as close, and therefore, directly responsible to and in contact with the people it is actually affecting as much as possible' idea.
Subsidiarity could easily be seen as the logic behind devolution - transfer of power/responsibility to a lower level of government. Why would a government want to devolve? According to subsidiarity, it is because a lower level of the government itself can more easily and effectively handle the issue than a higher one. Which would beg the question, why keep that power/responsibility that a higher branch isn't so good at with the other responsibilities that it actually does well? It would make more sense to give the one it isn't so good at to a lower level and not have to worry about it on top of the stuff it actually can do. Win-win all around.
Subsidiarity could easily be seen as the logic behind devolution - transfer of power/responsibility to a lower level of government. Why would a government want to devolve? According to subsidiarity, it is because a lower level of the government itself can more easily and effectively handle the issue than a higher one. Which would beg the question, why keep that power/responsibility that a higher branch isn't so good at with the other responsibilities that it actually does well? It would make more sense to give the one it isn't so good at to a lower level and not have to worry about it on top of the stuff it actually can do. Win-win all around.
Friday, February 5, 2016
Time Sheet Entry #2
This Thursday started off with half and hour in traffic on 101, so total travel time this time around was 60 minutes.
Actual time spent at the shelter was an hour and a half, all of the dogs had been taken out at least once and the potty list looked really good, so I only did three dogs, which are listed below and once again, I encouraged you guys to check them out at the link below too.
Some of you may be wondering after my long spiel explaining how dog TLC works why I was only there for an hour and a half. I'm there for the dogs, not to log as many hours as I can like its a contest. When the dogs are taken care of, my job is done.
I am excited at the possibility not explaining the nuts and bolts of the job in detail as I did in my first post, but going into why I find it rewarding and talking a little about the dogs. We get a wide variety of dogs, but usually, the ones that I get to know are pit bulls and Chihuahuas. And neither breed gets much love in the public imagination. When I first started out and the vast majority of green dogs were Chihuahuas, I was terrified of stepping on them. I was also kind of like 'Chihuahuas, really? They're yippy dogs'.
What I grew to learn was to stop caring about the breed. Obviously you have to be aware of the breed and know what breed of dog you are going to be walking, but not focusing on the breed let me love their individual personalities. Every Chihuahua has a different personality, even if they're all brown Chihuahuas in the same dorm room. They're unique and different. Same goes for pit bulls.
Part of what makes it fun and rewarding for me is the opportunity to learn about their different personalities, because they can behave differently on a walk versus in our indoor dog park or in their dorms. And that's incredible to watch them change based on their environments. Some dogs are really shy in their dorms and you have to go slow with them and build up their trust. They can also be jumpy on a walk. But then they just come alive in the dog park, running around carefree and it's like they've become a whole new dog.
http://peninsulahumanesociety.org/adopt/dog.html
Chai & Buddha / Rambo / Splash & Coco
Total Volunteer Hours: 3 1/2
Actual time spent at the shelter was an hour and a half, all of the dogs had been taken out at least once and the potty list looked really good, so I only did three dogs, which are listed below and once again, I encouraged you guys to check them out at the link below too.
Some of you may be wondering after my long spiel explaining how dog TLC works why I was only there for an hour and a half. I'm there for the dogs, not to log as many hours as I can like its a contest. When the dogs are taken care of, my job is done.
I am excited at the possibility not explaining the nuts and bolts of the job in detail as I did in my first post, but going into why I find it rewarding and talking a little about the dogs. We get a wide variety of dogs, but usually, the ones that I get to know are pit bulls and Chihuahuas. And neither breed gets much love in the public imagination. When I first started out and the vast majority of green dogs were Chihuahuas, I was terrified of stepping on them. I was also kind of like 'Chihuahuas, really? They're yippy dogs'.
What I grew to learn was to stop caring about the breed. Obviously you have to be aware of the breed and know what breed of dog you are going to be walking, but not focusing on the breed let me love their individual personalities. Every Chihuahua has a different personality, even if they're all brown Chihuahuas in the same dorm room. They're unique and different. Same goes for pit bulls.
Part of what makes it fun and rewarding for me is the opportunity to learn about their different personalities, because they can behave differently on a walk versus in our indoor dog park or in their dorms. And that's incredible to watch them change based on their environments. Some dogs are really shy in their dorms and you have to go slow with them and build up their trust. They can also be jumpy on a walk. But then they just come alive in the dog park, running around carefree and it's like they've become a whole new dog.
http://peninsulahumanesociety.org/adopt/dog.html
Chai & Buddha / Rambo / Splash & Coco
Total Volunteer Hours: 3 1/2
Friday, January 29, 2016
Time Sheet Entry #1
My volunteer work at the Peninsula Humane Society is as a purple dog TLC volunteer. Let me explain what that means. TLC (Tender loving care) is a group of volunteers that work with cats/dogs, usually one or the other at a time, socializing, exercising and hanging out with the animals at the shelter. I originally worked with cats when I was in high school. I have since moved on to doing the dogs. The dogs are color-coded so that volunteers and their various skill levels are prepared for a dog. It goes green, yellow, and then purple.
Green dogs are coded for new volunteers and volunteers who haven't either: completed three months as a green or taken later classes to move up a color code because they like the greens. Green dogs tend to be small with no behavioral issues. Yellows are small to medium-size dogs usually that may have a behavioral issue or may just be a little bigger and stronger and requires someone with a little more experience. Purple dogs can be of any size, but are usually physically strong, larger dogs that need some basic training. Green volunteers can only take out green dogs, yellow volunteers can take out green and yellow and purple volunteers can take out an animal of any color code.
In addition, I am part of a group of volunteers that come in on a certain day of the week and time of day to potty-break dogs that are house-trained. I am part of the Thursday night crew. We get the dogs out between 5-8 so dogs that hold their business are not waiting to relieve themselves until the next day.
Potty breaks tend to be short walks, just so the dogs can do their business, instead of thirty minute walks where we are trying to exercise them. They are still enough time to get to know a dog and socialize with them. The main idea is that for two or more hours, you are there for an animal. You are focused on giving a particular animal care and attention and that is your primary focus. It isn't about you, whatsoever. It's about the dog.
Thursday 28th of January: two hours of TLC work potty-breaking the dogs.
I got out four dogs last night. And because I love them and am fairly certain they are still up for adoption, I am going to attach the link to adoptable dogs to this blog. I encourage you to check them out because they're adorable. Here are the names of the four I got out.
JD / Rambo / Daisy / Pepper
http://peninsulahumanesociety.org/adopt/dog.html
The way PHS keeps track of whether or not volunteers are volunteering is through another website, my volunteer page, where you report your hours, they check to see if you've actually signed any dogs out that day, and then they approve your hours. It's a private site so I don't know if Professor Andrews, you would like me to login and show you my hours, or have me ask for physical sign-off.
Though if we are adding hours of travel, it would be a total of forty minutes roundtrip.
Tuesday, January 26, 2016
Blog Topic #3
I know for a fact that my CP, PHS cannot run without citizens in two very important ways. Citizen involvement meets two major needs. In order to get the animals the attention and care they need, PHS needs volunteers. It also needs citizens to adopt its animals and give them a loving home.
In term of potential adopters, actual adopters or just members of the public visiting a facility, they interact simply by visiting and looking at the animals, donating to PHS, asking questions of staff and/or volunteers regarding the animals, adopting animals, dropping off at-large animals, getting their animals spayed/neutered, etc.
Volunteers tend to spend at least two hours a week working with dogs, cats, wildlife, small animals, helping them with socialization and exercise, along with other tasks. Volunteers also interact with the paid staff.
Without interest in either volunteering or donating or wanting to have a pet or just help animals, there is no way for the Peninsula Humane Society to run. It needs citizen participation to exist.
In term of potential adopters, actual adopters or just members of the public visiting a facility, they interact simply by visiting and looking at the animals, donating to PHS, asking questions of staff and/or volunteers regarding the animals, adopting animals, dropping off at-large animals, getting their animals spayed/neutered, etc.
Volunteers tend to spend at least two hours a week working with dogs, cats, wildlife, small animals, helping them with socialization and exercise, along with other tasks. Volunteers also interact with the paid staff.
Without interest in either volunteering or donating or wanting to have a pet or just help animals, there is no way for the Peninsula Humane Society to run. It needs citizen participation to exist.
Thursday, January 21, 2016
Blog Topic #2
Tensions exist between state and local governments for several reasons. One is that state and local governments are always vying for control. Different states give their local governments various amounts and types of power.
Another cause of tension is when states place mandates on their local governments. Local governments have to follow the mandates whether or not they agree with what those mandates are directed at. Further tensions arise when those mandates are unfunded, meaning, the local government has to pay for something they are required to do by the state. When mandates are at least partially funded and pertain to infrastructure and public safety, at least in the case of Minnesotan local governments, officials do not mind state mandates as much.
Tension isn't necessarily a bad thing. Having local and state governments arguing over what is best to do in that local government's area, especially if the arguments of the local government are being listened to, means that the likelihood of the needs of citizens getting railroaded by far-off group is decreased. It keeps government attached to reality.
Another cause of tension is when states place mandates on their local governments. Local governments have to follow the mandates whether or not they agree with what those mandates are directed at. Further tensions arise when those mandates are unfunded, meaning, the local government has to pay for something they are required to do by the state. When mandates are at least partially funded and pertain to infrastructure and public safety, at least in the case of Minnesotan local governments, officials do not mind state mandates as much.
Tension isn't necessarily a bad thing. Having local and state governments arguing over what is best to do in that local government's area, especially if the arguments of the local government are being listened to, means that the likelihood of the needs of citizens getting railroaded by far-off group is decreased. It keeps government attached to reality.
Tuesday, January 19, 2016
Blog Topic #1
My first choice for CP is the Peninsula Humane Society (PHS) in Burlingame. They are a nonprofit no-kill shelter that my family adopted our second dog from fifteen years ago.
PHS has many programs beyond housing at-large or surrendered animals waiting for adoption. They have a spay-neuter clinic, animal rescue and control and a wildlife care center. They provide obedience classes, pet loss grief support, and microchipping along with many other services.
In terms of providing for local needs, spay-neuter clinic is the effective way to reduce pet overpopulation in San Mateo county. Animal control and rescue takes in animals reported at-large. Wildlife nurses wild animals back to health. Obedience classes teach new owners and new pets how to coexist in their home. Grief support for pet loss provides a place of solace for grieving owners. Microchipping provides owners peace of mind that if PHS picks up their animal, their pet will be checked for a microchip and they'll get a call to pick them up.
I think local government do not fulfill this need because animals are not humans or citizens and cannot pay taxes or vote.
My CP is not directly affiliated with the national ASPCA and so receives no funding or direction from them. I am unsure whom my CP is accountable to besides the county in which it resides.
The surrender fee taken by the PHS from owners who give up their animals is set and forwarded by San Mateo County. That is not a federal constraint but a local government constraint. I am unaware of any federal constraints placed on PHS.
PHS has many programs beyond housing at-large or surrendered animals waiting for adoption. They have a spay-neuter clinic, animal rescue and control and a wildlife care center. They provide obedience classes, pet loss grief support, and microchipping along with many other services.
In terms of providing for local needs, spay-neuter clinic is the effective way to reduce pet overpopulation in San Mateo county. Animal control and rescue takes in animals reported at-large. Wildlife nurses wild animals back to health. Obedience classes teach new owners and new pets how to coexist in their home. Grief support for pet loss provides a place of solace for grieving owners. Microchipping provides owners peace of mind that if PHS picks up their animal, their pet will be checked for a microchip and they'll get a call to pick them up.
I think local government do not fulfill this need because animals are not humans or citizens and cannot pay taxes or vote.
My CP is not directly affiliated with the national ASPCA and so receives no funding or direction from them. I am unsure whom my CP is accountable to besides the county in which it resides.
The surrender fee taken by the PHS from owners who give up their animals is set and forwarded by San Mateo County. That is not a federal constraint but a local government constraint. I am unaware of any federal constraints placed on PHS.
Thursday, January 14, 2016
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