Well I did my first shelter visit today. I really didn't know what to expect and had mixed emotions about doing this. But I thought well we will give it a try & see what happens.

Went to the desk & said I am here to visit. Gave them my card and they told me to go look at them. That I refused. I said no just get me the one who may not get adopted, who is lonely, needs extra love and that no one seems to look at. I realized I just named most of the 150 dogs there.

They chuckled & I explained what I was doing and they named a couple who have been there a while. First thing I heard was Pit Bull.

Now let me tell you- I love all animals seriously BUT this is definitely not my favorite - probably my least favorite. I thought Oh No not a pitt. But I didn't say a word. Then they explained that since I am not a volunteer I cannot be alone with a dog (policy) so a volunteer had to be there also.

I felt better- I really didn't want to be alone with a pitt bull anyway.

So in the room I go & in comes Cosmo. Yikes!

He was so wounded up bouncing all over. Dirty - He was rolling in something. and was due to get a bathe. The dirt didn't bother me - it was the pitt.

Needless to say I had treats. So I figure I had the upper hand. Cosmo hadn't been walked for 3 days so he was hyper and strong. But I set out to be his friend. He wasn't very calm to pet & love but I managed to get a few loving pets in. And he in turned washed my face (Yuk) I have never had so many kisses in that short period of time.

By the time I left- my whole opinion changed on pitt bulls. He turned into a sweet and adorable, full of love baby. I dearly loved him. I felt so bad as he has been there for 7 months. Isn't looking good for him as they are overrun with pitts & no one wants them. As we sat there & he was kissing me- a family walked by & I heard them say Oh that's a pitt & kept on going. Jennifer said- most do that when they go by their cage & don't even stop to look.

This sweet baby would make a wonderful companion for someone and I will try to see if I can help get him a forever home.

He has the sweetest disposition and is really cute.

So hopefully I gave him some love & hope & I know for sure - he changed my life.

The Life of A Shelter Dog
By Augusta DeLisi

He was a typical dog abandoned all alone
never had a human he could call his own.
he was left on the streets and was beaten and hurt,
always had to dodge cars so he stayed very alert.

He dreamed of being loved and living in a caring place
with a kind, gentle human that would enjoy getting licked on the face.
One day a lady found him and brought him to the pound.
He was scared and frightened of all the barking dogs around.

He wagged his tail everytime someone came by his kennel,
in a way to say "Pick me, Im the dog for you"
but all the people just walked by,
he knew his dream would not come true.

He sat in his cage as the days passed him by.
another day came, it was his turn to die.
The dogwarden came with a leash held in hand.
she had tears in her eyes, he did not understand.

He walked up to greet her, his tail wagging fast.
Was as friendly as could be, despite his rough past.
As she walked him into a room he knew something was not right,
she told him she was sorry, then hugged him real tight.

He then looked at her with his trusting brown eyes,
because of careless people this dog had to die.
He would have made a wonderful friend.
Just another of God's gifts whose life had to end.

The dog wagged his tail as he walked through Heaven's gate.
He now had a home, He no longer had to wait.