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One of my happiest moments during my service project / service work at PAWS was when I found out that a dog, named Charlie, had been adopted. At the end of one of my shifts, I got to interact with Charlie. He had weak back legs so he needed to have a cart to support him. He could walk without it, but the support helps him. When I interacted with him, he was calm and I knew he just wanted some love and attention. I was a little sad that he was adopted because he wouldn't be at the shelter  at my next shift, but I was also happy that someone that can give him a good life adopted him and took him home. This experience taught me that some animals don't have their needs met completely and/or might need an extra push. It also shows that there are people who willingly care and love unconditionally. Charlie needed some extra help and attention, but he did not let anything hold him back. Now, I see love and justice in a new way. I also see that animals reach out too. Charlie deserves to have his basic needs met and is no different than other dogs through the eyes of God.

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CONGRATULATIONS CHARLIE! Charlie's story resonated with a special family after hearing about him on the news. They have a dog who was previously temporarily paralyzed and knew they could give him the life he deserves. The family came to PAWS today to meet Charlie and the rest is history! Charlie is so excited to have a home and we couldn't have picked a better family. Wishing you happy years to come!

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2,066 Likes, 101 Comments - PAWS Chicago (@pawschicago) on Instagram: "CONGRATULATIONS CHARLIE! Charlie's story resonated with a special family after hearing about him on..."

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God is always present, and in this relationship, I knew God was present when I felt the instant connection and calmness. I knew God was present when the dog looked at me and let me give him my love and attention.  This relationship is one that I remember most and one that is important to me. I have since made other relationships and connections with both volunteers and animals. I hope to reach out more and make new connections.
Justice is seeking the good of the other, and it was a part of this relationship. I offered the dog my love and attention. The dog was in need of that and I could tell by the way he acted. I wanted the dog to feel cared for and I knew that he needed attention. My relationship partner, in this case the dog, 'served' me by allowing me to give him attention and allowing me to interact with him. Distributive justice was part of this experience as the dog needed a little more attention than the other. Everyone is created Imago Dei, and dogs do not care about race, gender, etc. They only see the human being and love unconditionally.

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In 2013, my family adopted a dog from PAWS. I had volunteered at the shelter a couple of times before adopting, but I became more involved after. I was familiar with the shelter, but it was not until I saw and interacted with this dog that I really felt a connection. I chose to serve at PAWS because when I'm volunteering there, it does not feel like I'm working or just there to get service hours. It feels like another home and it is a positive, welcoming environment. I would definitely recommend it to others, and I will continue to volunteer there.

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One specific relationship I can remember is one I had with a dog. The dog had one eye and was older. There were two other dogs in a room with him, one was full of energy and younger, and the other was in a cage isolated from the other two. The dog in the cage had some issues and needed to be away from the other dogs and from people. I saw that the two dogs were confused as to why the dog in the cage had to be in there and could not play with them. Back to the dog with one eye, he was an older dog and had a cone at the time. He was very gentle and calm. He made it apparent that he just wanted attention and to be held. I reached out to the dog by giving him my attention and by petting him. He reached back by allowing me to pet him and give him my attention. I felt a connection with this dog, despite the fact that I had just met him that day. I felt calm and I learned that animals reach out too. Animals need help too and it makes me feel good knowing that there is a way for me to help and reach out.

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At the beginning of my experience, I did not really have any relationships. I did not really know anyone yet, and I was still getting to know the shelter. As my shifts continued, I became more familiar with the shelter and some of the volunteers. I began to form relationships with the animals as well. Even though the dogs and cats are constantly being adopted and new ones come in, I always interact with some and form a bond. The shelter is very welcoming and the volunteers are always kind. You can tell that they enjoy volunteering at the shelter, and I enjoy volunteering even more because of the positive environment.

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- A picture I took during a volunteer shift while I was able to interact with dogs at the shelter.

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I did have a learning curve. I learned the importance of reaching out and responsibility. As I kept volunteering, I formed new relationships and came to know several of the volunteers. I learned how to reach out to people and developed social skills, such as talking to new people and working well with others. Volunteering at PAWS has made me realize that there are people with similar interests and that I can reach out to people, and animals. Animals reach out too. PAWS allows me, and other people, to reach back.

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My role, as a volunteer, is to help keep the shelter clean and prepare it for opening each morning. Some of my responsibilities include: washing dishes, cleaning dog/cat suites, doing laundry, restocking food bags, and cleaning the lobby. At the end of my volunteer shifts, I interact with dogs, or cats. I enjoy working alongside other volunteers, some my age, and with animals.

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People who are interested in adopting a dog or cat go to PAWS because it is one of the most known animal shelters in Chicago and it has a good reputation. The volunteers at PAWS take very good care of the animals and the place is always well organized and welcoming.

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PAWS Chicago Animal Shelter

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PAWS Chicago is a national model in animal sheltering, committed to bringing an end to the killing of homeless cats and dogs.

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I served animals and other volunteers at the shelter. I served by giving my time and by reaching out. The purpose of PAWS is to help keep chicago a no-kill society for animals and to bring in vulnerable animals. PAWS brings in and takes care of dogs and cats, with help from many volunteers.