Animal Protection Society of Durham

Volunteer of the Month – Irene Teng

aps — Wed, 16 May 2012 13:24:21 +0000

1. When and why did you begin volunteering at the APS?
I have started the volunteer work at the APS since February 2012. Because I have been doing foster care for the dogs while I was in Taiwan, I thought I should continue helping animals here.

2. Tell me about your job here.
My job is a dog walker. I really enjoy walking the dogs here. Every time when I take them out of the kennel I can feel that they are so happy and excited. It might sound silly, but when the house trained dogs go potty I feel so relieved as they do. I just cannot imagine that they have to stay in such a small place for almost 24/7 and wait somebody to open the gate for them so they can release the pressure in their bodies. No dogs deserve to live like that. Each one of them is an angel, and they should all have a lovely home and be loved by people.

3. What animals do you have at home?
While I was in Taiwan, I have one Shih Tzu named Alfie. Then, my husband and I adopted two cats- Nina and Alec. We brought three of them to the US with us. Two years ago, we met Lefteye, a strayed cat who injured his lefteye and wondered around our complex. We took him to a vet and took him home with us. So now I have one dog and three cats.

4. Are there any stories about a particular animal here or anything else you’d like to share?
There are tons of touching stories happening everyday at the APS. I will just share the one I recently experienced. Cassie was a lady of pit bull and boxer mix. She was a newbie at the APS so she was shy and not confident about everything here. It was therefore quite difficult to let her step out of her kennel. However, Eunice, one of our many lovely volunteers, came up a great idea. Eunice asked me to take Carla, a smaller but more confident dog and let Carla walked in front of Cassie. In this way, Cassie might feel more comfortable and less nervous. And it did work out! The power of a pack did encourage Cassie to explore the outside world. When Cassie hesitated, Carla would stop and go back to sniff her and push Cassie to move on. I was so deeply touched by Cassie, and so proud of small Carla.

5. Tell me a little about what you like to do when not here, including work or previous work, family and any hobbies you have.
My husband is currently a PhD student at Duke. And that is also why we moved here from Taiwan. Life in the US is quite challenging to me even though I do not go to work (due to the visa issues, spouse is not allowed to work ). To be independent (I do not like hassle my husband all the time…), I learned how to drive, cook, and take care of my small family here. But most importantly, I learned how to adapt to a new life style in a different country. At first, I thought working as a volunteer at the APS is to help the animals; however, it turns out that it is quite the other way around; volunteering at APS is therapeutic for me. The dogs I walk each day they also give me their love back to me.

1. When and why did you begin volunteering at the APS?

I have started the volunteer work at the APS since February 2012. Because I have been doing foster care for the dogs while I was in Taiwan, I thought I should continue helping animals here.

2. You do so much for APS. Tell me about your job here. What do you like most?

My job is a dog walker. I really enjoy walking the dogs here. Every time when I take them out of the kennel I can feel that they are so happy and excited. It might sound silly, but when the house trained dogs go potty I feel so relieved as they do. I just cannot imagine that they have to stay in such a small place for almost 24/7 and wait somebody to open the gate for them so they can release the pressure in their bodies. No dogs deserve to live like that. Each one of them is an angel, and they should all have a lovely home and be loved by people.

3. What animals do you have at home?

While I was in Taiwan, I have one Shih Tzu named Alfie. Then, my husband and I adopted two cats- Nina and Alec. We brought three of them to the US with us. Two years ago, we met Lefteye, a strayed cat who injured his lefteye and wondered around our complex. We took him to a vet and took him home with us. So now I have one dog and three cats.

4. Are there any stories about a particular animal here or anything else you’d like to share?

There are tons of touching stories happening everyday at the APS. I will just share the one I recently experienced. Cassie was a lady of pit bull and boxer mix. She was a newbie at the APS so she was shy and not confident about everything here. It was therefore quite difficult to let her step out of her kennel. However, Eunice, one of our many lovely volunteers, came up a great idea. Eunice asked me to take Carla, a smaller but more confident dog and let Carla walked in front of Cassie. In this way, Cassie might feel more comfortable and less nervous. And it did work out! The power of a pack did encourage Cassie to explore the outside world. When Cassie hesitated, Carla would stop and go back to sniff her and push Cassie to move on. I was so deeply touched by Cassie, and so proud of small Carla.

5. Tell me a little about what you like to do when not here, including work or previous work, family and any hobbies you have.

My husband is currently a PhD student at Duke. And that is also why we moved here from Taiwan. Life in the US is quite challenging to me even though I do not go to work (due to the visa issues, spouse is not allowed to work ). To be independent (I do not like hassle my husband all the time…), I learned how to drive, cook, and take care of my small family here. But most importantly, I learned how to adapt to a new life style in a different country. At first, I thought working as a volunteer at the APS is to help the animals; however, it turns out that it is quite the other way around; volunteering at APS is therapeutic for me. The dogs I walk each day they also give me their love back to me.

Petsmart Adoption Event – Sunday May 20th 2-3:30

aps — Wed, 16 May 2012 09:00:20 +0000

Come and meet some of our adoptable dogs! We hold monthly adoption events at the PetSmart in Patterson Place (off 15 501 at 3615 Witherspoon Blvd).
Email doginfo@apsofdurham.org for more information!

May Petsmart adoption event, Sunday May 20th from 2-3:30.

MAURICE

kari — Sat, 12 May 2012 00:09:57 +0000

*ADOPTION PENDING*
This cuddly puppy is MAURICE, a 2-3 month old Lab/Collie mix who’s gentle, friendly and all-around adorable. He loves attention and handling, likes food treats, end enjoys playing with his toys.
Maurice is looking for a loving home with a family who’ll give him lots of attention and take him to puppy class.

Maurice lives in Kennel 6.
For more information about Maurice contact doginfo@apsofdurham.org.

TANDY

kari — Sat, 12 May 2012 00:09:02 +0000

TANDY is a cute Lab/Pit mix puppy who’s 3-4 months old. She’s playful, outgoing, and full of puppy energy! Since she’s smart and food-motivated, she has the makings of a puppy class star :-)
Tandy is looking for an active, committed family who’ll give her love, exercise and training all puppies need.

Tandy lives in Kennel P4.
For more information about Tandy contact doginfo@apsofdurham.org.

LUCILLE

kari — Sat, 12 May 2012 00:08:06 +0000

Come meet me Sunday May 20th from 2-3:30 at the Petsmart in Paterson Place!
LUCILLE is a 4 month Lab/Pit mix who, like her sisters Lily and Lulu, is gentle, playful and very people-oriented. She loves her toys and balls, and is very food-focused and highly motivated, so she should be fun and easy to train. She’s excellent with other puppies.
Lucille will be a fabulous addition to a lucky family.

Lucille lives in Kennel P9.
For more information about Lucille contact doginfo@apsofdurham.org.

CYRIL

kari — Sat, 12 May 2012 00:07:00 +0000

CYRIL is a 4-5 month old Chihuahua who’s cute, perky and adorable! He loves people and attention, enjoys playing with his toys, and is very food-motivated and trainable.
Cyril is looking for a calm, low-stress home where’ll he’ll have lots of love and attention.
Please note: Cyril has injured one of his front legs and is limping. Until he seems to be doing better, we’ve suspended visitation.

Cyril lives in Kennel P3.
For more information about Cyril contact doginfo@apsofdurham.org.

LAUREL

kari — Sat, 12 May 2012 00:06:06 +0000

LAUREL is a very cute 4 month old Dachshund/Lab mix who’s friendly and playful. She loves her toys, and since she pays attention nicely for food treats, she should be lots of fun to take to puppy class.
Laurel will be a wonderful family pet.

Laurel lives in Kennel P2.
For more information about Laurel contact doginfo@apsofdurham.org.

EVA

kari — Sat, 12 May 2012 00:04:43 +0000

EVA is a pretty young Border Collie mix who’s still trying to build her confidence at the shelter. Volunteers are working hard with her, and she’s starting to come around.
Stay tuned for updates!

Eva lives in Kennel 20.
For more information about Eva contact doginfo@apsofdurham.org.

KAYLA

kari — Sat, 12 May 2012 00:03:45 +0000

KAYLA is a 5+ year old Chocolate Lab/Pointer mix with a sweet face and a sweet nature to match! Though she’s an older girl, and looks as though she has likely had a tough life so far, she’s very perky and fun-loving – she likes to chase a ball, and play with her toys. Since she’s very attentive and motivated for food treats, she should be a wonderful dog to train. She’s excellent with other dogs.
Kayla is looking for a loving family to play with :-)

Kayla lives in Kennel 29.
For more information about Kayla contact doginfo@apsofdurham.org.

SASHA

kari — Sat, 12 May 2012 00:02:53 +0000

SASHA is a gorgeous German Shepherd who’s about 4 years old. She’s a social, rather sensitive dog who always tries her best, and since she’s very smart and food-motivated, she should be fun and easy to train.
Sasha is looking for a patient, committed home, preferably with past experience with GSDs, willing to work with her.
Here’s what one of our volunteers has to say about Sasha:
Sasha is a beautiful German Shepherd and a really great dog! She can be a bit unfocused, but with some good solid training I think she will be a wonderful companion for a very lucky home.
She’s pretty active, so giving her long walks and daily exercise will go a long way to helping with her focus and training. She has a very upbeat personality and you know she’s happy to be with you during whatever activity you’re doing, whether it’s walking, playing with toys, or learning a new trick (she likes hot dogs, but sometimes whatever is on the other side of the fence is just too interesting).
She knows “sit”, but sometimes you have to convince her that sitting is what she wants to do. :-)
She’ll do great in an active home (preferably with a fenced yard) that’s committed to training her and giving her a lot of fun play time.

Sasha lives in Kennel 31.
For more information about Sasha contact doginfo@apsofdurham.org.