I have been working as a cashier at Petsmart in Castle Rock now for about 6 months and I'm probably one of the few that can say they honestly love going into work. Through working there, I have been blessed to help the lives of animals and be able to educate others on better ways to be good parents to their pets. I have been able to care for the adoption pets at my store and see to it that they get good homes. I see it as my responsibility that I can get them a forever home. Every time one of our pets get adopted, I have mixed feelings. I love seeing them go to a good home but in the same spin, I know I'm going to miss them too.

The vender, Lindsay, of the dog food Blue, worked almost every weekend in our store to help promote the holistic food. Apon coming into work one day with my 5 year old border collie, Brodie, Lindsay asked me if I would be interested in fostering another border collie (who happened to be deaf) who's euthanization date was quickly approaching. I thought it over for awhile and brought the idea up with my parents. They agreed under the circumstances that the dog was to be my responsibility.

Five days before the dog was set to be "put down", I drove with a co-worker of mine (Kim, the Pet Trainer at Petsmart), and went to Colorado Springs to pick her up from Pike's Peak Humane Society. We got there at exactly 3:30 when the adoption center was about to close and I went to the desk and asked for adoption papers for a "Lilly". The receptionist then asked if I was aware that the dog was deaf. I responded with a quick "yes" and began to fill out the paperwork. She then asked if I had met with the dog and I told her that it didn't matter to me what she looked like. I went through the paper work and after a grueling hour process they finally went to the back to bring her out to me.

I didn't know what to expect and I was definatly nervous. As soon as my little girl rounded the corner, it was like love at first sight. she was a beautiful all white border collie with icy blue eyes. She stole my heart. I got her back to my house and took her straight to my big back yard. My other border collie, Brodie, came over and gave her a friendly greeting and then off they went chasing eachother through the wet grass. I watched and smiled as my little girl sprinted across the lawn. I could tell that this was going to be her new forever home. I saved her life that day, and in return, she gave purpose to mine. My little Winter.