A Love for Dogs, Even When She Couldn’t Have One
For over four and a half years, Ros Ambler has been a compassionate and dedicated presence at the shelter. Ros began volunteering to fill a void—her lifelong love for dogs, despite being unable to have one at home. Now, she spends 2-3 hours daily at the shelter, forming strong connections with the animals and making a meaningful impact on their lives.
A Story of Resilience: Puma’s Transformation
One memory that Ros holds especially close is her experience with a dog named Puma. When Puma arrived at the shelter, she was skinny, overbred, and had the saddest eyes. Ros recalls, “Puma would climb onto her kennel roof to escape her pups for a moment of peace.” Through consistent care and gentle bonding, Ros earned Puma’s trust, eventually being allowed to touch her pups. Over time, Puma found solace at the shelter, and after three years, she was adopted. “I still miss her,” Ros says, reflecting on Puma’s journey from a life of neglect to one of care and safety.
Sniffing Adventures: What Animals Enjoy Most
For Ros, walking shelter dogs is more than just physical exercise; it’s a time for them to explore and enjoy life outside their kennels. “They love to sniff, read the news, and wander. It’s a chance for them to feel free and be curious,” Ros explains. To make these walks even more meaningful, she believes more volunteers would make a huge difference, creating more opportunities for one-on-one time with the dogs.
Finding Hope in Heartbreak
Ros has witnessed her share of heartbreaking situations, like that of Lucy, an Anatolian Shepherd with a stomach full of plastic and stones and severely weakened muscles. The experience reinforced Ros’s belief that more must be done to protect animals from abuse and neglect. “How do we get through to those who willingly abuse these innocent animals?” she asks, sharing her deep concern for animal welfare.
Advice to Future Volunteers
For anyone considering shelter work, Ros’s advice is simple and powerful: “DO IT NOW!” She believes that even the smallest effort is rewarding, both for the animals and for the soul. For those unable to volunteer, she suggests supporting shelters in any way possible. “If you can’t volunteer, please donate what you can,” Ros urges, knowing that every bit of help improves the animals’ lives.
Looking Back with No Regrets
Reflecting on her journey, Ros knows she wouldn’t change a thing. Her volunteer work has brought her joy, fulfilment, and countless stories of resilience and love.
