Nichole's+Page

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I am a Coloradan native from Littleton and a junior double majoring in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology and Studio Arts. I started volunteering in animal shelters on my 16th Birthday and now work for the Boulder Humane Society as an Animal Welfare Associate despite being allergic to both cats and dogs.  //I Believe in the Power of a Pet By Nichole Stults//

 When I come into work in the mornings I smell fur, feces and body odor. I can hear the meows of kittens wanting to be fed and the cry of dogs wanting attention. It’s still dark out; the sun won't be up for another hour or so. I greet my coworkers in the shelter office and we grumble about the early morning. I think about my cat Kenzie curled up and sleeping and how she provides me with the motivation to roll out of bed every Saturday morning. I have had six pets growing up, four cats and two dogs. From an early age I had to learn how to interact appropriately with each pet.

I was six when I went with my family to pick out my first kitten; she was all black with a white tip on her tail. I named her Colby. She was an affectionate cat who always laid with me when I was sick and followed my brother and I around the yard to make sure we didn’t get into trouble. My sophomore year of college I got a call from my mother to tell me that Colby was ill and she didn’t think Colby would make it through the night. I drove home to find her lying on the floor, breathing very shallow. I stayed up with her the entire night so if she passed she wouldn’t be alone. Colby gave me thirteen years of unwavering loyalty and compassion so I could not leave her in her time of need. She passed away the following morning.

After kennel briefings we head for our assigned cleaning area. The first thing I do is assess the animals. I look for any medical concerns that the clinic should be alerted about. I usually clean the cat area. If there is a nervous cat, I talk to her calmly and pet her softly. She eventually warms up with some social interaction. While she’s eating, I can begin to wipe down her kennel and move onto the next cat.

I was thirteen when my dad brought home a beagle puppy with oversized ears. That week Denver was hit with a blizzard which made potty training difficult. So every morning at 3am I would dig a place in the snow and take Bailey out to go potty. I learned to be very patient with her, and in return and she caught on very quickly, allowing me to wake up at six instead of three. As an immature teenager, Bailey taught me dedication and patience.

At ten the shelter opens to the public and I am ready to counsel families looking for an animal to adopt. They are so excited to find an animal that connects with them. In the same way I have connected with each pet brought into my life. I congratulate the smiling family on their adoption, knowing that their lives have changed for the better. I believe in the power of a pet; the power of an animal to provide unconditional love to someone, which in turn provides an opportunity for anyone to give that back. I believe in my pets.