During the pandemic, I realized my heart was still very much in the animal welfare world and wanted to return to work in the field. I had already started the Library and Information Sciences masters program at the University of Wisconsin-Madison the semester before, but by fall of 2020 I knew I wanted to figure out a way to combine what I was learning at the iSchool with helping animals and get back into the animal welfare world.

So I did some internet searching and found the online masters certificate program at the University of Florida. What an awesome program! I started in spring 2021, taking one class each semester along with the one class I was taking in the iSchool program. The certificate program is five classes, and covers so much on progressive shelter management, from behavior to medical to One Health programming. It was 100% worth my time and was an invaluable education that I am now using as a board member and volunteer for Animal Friends Alliance, and with my work at Faunalytics as well.

I graduated this past semester from the program (Go Gators!). What an amazing experience! I encourage any folks out there who work or volunteer with a companion animal shelter or rescue to look into it. There is also a full masters program if you want to do a full dive into things. A great feature to note: they include the syllabus for each class publicly on their website, so if you cannot afford taking the classes you can at least see the books they recommend and check those out.

Not many good things came out of the pandemic, but I am so glad it helped me get back to where my true passion lies: helping the critters!

Beautiful, sweet Miss Penny. Penny passed away today, with my Mom and Dad by her side.

While I worked at the Wisconsin Humane Society, a puppy mill in Wisconsin was closing its doors and the shelter was able to take over and rescue all the dogs there. Penny was one of the over 1000 dogs who were being kept at this mill. At only about a year old, she had already had a litter, had ear and eye infections, and needed surgery on her knees to correct a deformity. Penny needed a safe place to be while going through surgery recovery, so I brought her home to my parent’s house for her to recoup. Miss Penny never went back!

Penny was such an odd dog – she didn’t understand a lot of the things that one would think is inherent for pups. She would sniff the end of a vacuum cleaner, preferred to pee on concrete over grass, laying in direct sunlight and overheating herself (with shade available… she just never moved into the shade…), and her favorite toys usually were just pieces of plastic (like bottle caps). Her favorite toy, though, was her “mouse” toy (actually a cat toy…), which is literally just a piece of fabric tied to a play fishing pole. She loved to chase and catch the “mouse” – and once she caught it, you could actually lift her up off the ground her hold was so strong. She caught a few real mice in her day, too… most likely her most favorite moments.

Penny was such an easy going pup who loved people, and was always so happy. I affectionately called her our ditzy cheerleader since she was always happy, but didn’t appear to be the smartest of dogs. When she was super excited, she had her own dance where she would rock side to side, jumping from one front foot to the other. But Penny was not much of a barker – things had to be REALLY exciting to get her to let out a single bark! My Dad loved trying to get her riled up enough for a bark, and I don’t think I ever heard her bark more than a handful of times. My favorite nickname for her is Princess Penny. It suited her well.

My Montague loved Miss Penny, and they were good buddies. When we first brought Penny home, Monty jumped the pet gate to give her one of his favorite toys. Penny and Gizmo of course were also best buds their entire lives. They went on so many fun adventures in the car with my parents, most recently getting to kayak at the local lakes. Ice cream cones had to be shared, but Penny made the most of it with BIG licks (okay, they were chomps!). Such good buddies, Gizmo even saved Penny from a coyote a few years ago. They were the best of friends. Part of me thinks Penny missed Gizmo and wanted to be with him again. I’d like to think they are together again, going on walk adventures, laying in the sun, eating ice cream, and snuggling up together.

I last saw Penny in Chicago when Mom and Dad drove down to see my rehearsal for Geek Bowl. Gizmo and Penny hung out in the car, but we did get to walk around a little bit at Navy Pier. I can’t believe I won’t get to pet her super soft fur on her floppy ears, or sit with her on the couch to just hang out again.

Give Monty, Loki, and Gizmo my love, Miss Moneypenny. I love you so much and know you will be forever missed ❤

Oh, little man. Gizmo passed away this morning with his sister, Penny, and Mom and Dad by his side. When we came back from Mexico for Lucas and Petra’s wedding, I went to work at the Wisconsin Humane Society and found this adorable terrier/chihuahua mix on the adoption floor. I called Dad and he came in to meet the little man – when Dad sat down on the floor, Gizmo crawled into his lap and settled in. He had found his person.

We did an out and about and he never went back.

The beginning wasn’t easy! Earning the nickname El Diablo, Gizmo was known for running away from the house every chance he got, and biting everyone (except for Mom!). He even bit Loki, his favorite cat friend, for sniffing at his food. But a few months of love and letting his neuter surgery do it’s work, and Gizmo became the happy, loving Schmo we all know and love.

Gizmo turned out to love cats, Loki especially, and babies. We also learned he knew some Spanish and must have lived in a Spanish speaking household before he was found as a street dog. He had street smarts (unlike his sister, Penny) and would be found under cars or in the shade when hanging out outside.

He was the protector of the home – sounding the alarm at ANY noise, especially when Dad was away and Mom needed protecting. ANY. Noise. Even ones that we couldn’t hear. He also loved to snuggle, and would tell you when it was bed time.

Gizmo was the best little buddy. My heart is breaking that I won’t get to snuggle up with him again. I last saw him in Chicago when Mom and Dad drove down to see my rehearsal for Geek Bowl. Gizmo and Penny hung out in the car, but we did get to walk around a little bit at Navy Pier.

The greatest Chihuahua I have ever known. I love you and will miss you so dearly, Gizmo. Say hi to Loki and Monty for me. ❤

Last night as I was driving home from choir practice, the not so very rare sound of a train approaching blared.  Fort Collins seems to have a well-earned reputation of trains coming through town and stopping traffic in its tracks.  Growing up in the countryside of Wisconsin, I am no stranger to long, slow trains.  And thanks to that I am no stranger to the concept of turning the car off when stuck at a train.  However, I have noticed that those around town here in Fort Collins don’t seem to know to do this.

So!  If you find yourself stuck at a train, please turn your engine off!  It’s better for the environment, better for those around you, and better for your car.

Australia is burning, and we all need to help.  If everyone gives what they can spare, we can make a big difference and help this horrible catastrophe.  Please give what you can, and let’s all do a rain dance for Australia as well. Love to Oz.

How to Donate to Firefighters

• The NSW Rural Fire Service lets you donate to specific brigades here.
•  Donate to the Country Fire Service in South Australia to help volunteer firefighters here.
• The Queensland Fire and Rescue  accepts donations here.
• Donations to the Country Fire Association support firefighters in Victoria and affected communities here.

How to Donate to Relief Organizations

• Donate to the Red Cross to help thousands of people in evacuation centers and recovery hubs here.
• The Salvation Army accepts donations to help local communities here.
• Donations to the St Vincent Society help feed affected families and buy them essentials here.

How to Donate to Wildlife Organizations

• Donate to WIRES to help with wildlife rescue here.
• Donate to the World Wildlife Fund Australia to help with koala conservation here.
• Donate to the Port Macquarie Koala Hospital to help provide water for wildlife and to support a Koala breeding program here.
• Donate to the RSPCA New South Wales to help with efforts to evacuate and rescue pets here.

I pulled this list from a news article on KTLA  (full story linked here).  I did add the WIRES myself to the list, as I have heard a lot of good things about that organization and know they could use our help, too.