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31-DAY CHALLENGE
Day Eighteen: Your favourite place to visit
But for dogs and cats, it wasn’t.
I developed a strong desire to help all four-legged animals when I was a child, particularly dogs. Not owning a pet of my own, I frequented the local Humane Society to offer my amateur services. Standing in a room filled with strays and drop-offs, I eagerly met with prospective adoptees and touted the benefits of each dog. I didn’t volunteer or work there, but through my actions, you wouldn’t have guessed. I was very successful thanks to my interest in dog breeds, pet care, and bringing man’s best friend and man together. As a result, many dogs left the shelter to meet their new homes, thanks to me.
One day, my parents decided they would allow a kitten in our home, so off we went to the Humane Society — just Mom and me. Nowhere was there a young child waiting to offer their help, only a man who knew little about his subjects. So I picked a sleeping female kitten, hoping she would have the personality I sought once we got home. Unfortunately, it wasn’t the right way to choose a pet. It turned out the helper knew nothing about identifying the sex, so the kitten marked female turned out to be a male, and we left him there. My mother wanted a girl. It was a sad day at the Humane Society, but it didn’t deter me from feeling grateful for the…