Our pets are our constant companions. Their antics make us laugh, their wet noses and snuggles give us comfort, and their waggy tails remind us that we’re loved unconditionally.
Dogs and cats have always been there for me. Recently, I decided to use a skill I’ve developed in my career as a journalist, namely photography, to help animals find loving new homes.
There are a variety of ways to assist at Dallas Animal Services shelters, even for those who haven’t completed the requisite volunteer hours to work with the animals hands-on.
I thought my experience taking photos for newspapers and websites fit well with phone “furtography,” which involves spending a couple of hours taking new photos of animals that come to the shelter. The goal is to present them in the best light for adoption.
Sometimes it requires multiple attempts to set up a good shot. Pets, like people, can get nervous in front of a camera. It takes time to capture a photo where they’ve settled down and are looking at the lens. But it’s always fun to meet the animals and see their personalities shine through.
The mental boost from working with other volunteers to make our community better has certainly helped me as much as I may have helped any of Dallas Animal Services’ furry residents.
Many of the people I’ve interviewed as a member of the staff of Park Cities People and Preston Hollow People have helped inspire me to use the skills at my disposal to contribute to organizations whose missions I support.
From Temple Emanu-El cantor Vicky Glikin, who used her language skills in 2022 to welcome refugees from the Russia-Ukraine war, to the countless young professionals we’ve featured in our 20 Under 40 program, the people I’ve met in this community have motivated me to ask how I can make it a better place.
This year’s group of 20 Under 40 honorees is certainly no exception. I had the privilege of writing about them for this issue’s special section, and of finding out more about their extraordinary work.
This year, for example, I learned about a staff member at the George W. Bush Institute who helps support policies that are making a difference to worldwide health, and a school librarian who’s built a community around mahjong and is using it support causes we all care about.
I hope you’ll find the work of these young professionals as inspirational as I have and, like me, perhaps ask yourself about the skills you have, and how you can use them to make a difference for others.
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