Page 22 - voices-09-2021
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FIELD NOTES
Worth the Struggle
Tamsen Corbin,VC2
will embrace you; other Clubs need a treat for
motivation.
Is something missing in your life? That spark? A Every Club is worth saving—we believe
reason to get out of bed? Well, I was sure missing everyone deserves to succeed. Club Coaches help
something! I needed slobbery kisses, rolling tufts revitalize struggling Clubs with new ideas and
of dog hair, furniture with love bites, and only bountiful energy. The benefits are hard-fought
one small edge of a king size bed to sleep on. but worth the struggle—very similar to owning
Yep! I rescued two dogs. Though, to think about two very energetic dogs!
it, they rescued me. Do you want to perform a rescue? Keep
I remember the day well. Lots of eyes reading.
twitching with excitement, moist noses jutting
through holes in their wire crates, and tails 10 Reasons to Consider Rescuing a Dog (oops, Club):
enthusiastically wagging. I searched and searched 1. You could save a life by providing a struggling
for just the right dog(s) to rescue me. . . uh, I Club with a path to a brighter future.
mean, to rescue. I surveyed the room. Some 2. You can skip the ‘puppy stage’. You aren’t
were energetic and enthusiastic, while others starting a new Club; these are experienced
stayed hidden in the corner, eyes lowered, not Toastmasters with history.
sure what horrors I might bring. 3. You get to decide your Club. Like adopting
As my excitement bubbled over, I reminded a dog, you can choose your Club. Look up
myself that a Bernese Mountain puppy, although meeting times, days, and locations before you
very cute, would grow to half my body weight, decide. Find one that is best for you! Right
and Huskies were serial escape artists when now, there are many options.
confined to a small yard. It took lots of searching, 4. You can ‘try before you buy’. Visit the
but I finally found the right pair: a German Club, meet with the officers, and talk to the
Shepherd and a Black Lab. members. Make sure it is a good fit for both
My journey to find a rescue dog is similar you and the Club.
to the journey of a Club Coach—finding that 5. You will be needed. They’ll be intensely
perfectly imperfect choice. Some Clubs may loyal once trust has been reached, the bond
have their faces pressed to the glass anxious for between coach and members is truly special.
you to adopt them, while others will hang back 6. You can stay active. Nothing fills the void in
waiting to see what you have to offer. Some Clubs your schedule like helping to save a Club,
22 ONE COMMUNITY
