For a while now, helping others has been the driving force that keeps me going. It was decided it would be dogs specifically when we adopted a dog from a Czech state shelter.
My life wasn't initially devoted primarily to dogs. What I enjoyed most was music, which I studied. In the end I don't work with it in the way I had imagined, which isn't fulfilling for me.
Our first dog from a Czech state shelter was traumatized, and he opened my eyes to caring less about material things and more about what really matters – what lies deep within the human soul. This handicapped mongrel lived with us for 9 years, and the hole he left in my heart seemed unhealable for years.
After almost 4 years, though, we found a letter under the Christmas tree from a dog in Bosnia, and a month later our loyal companion arrived. He has enriched our family enormously. All our time together revolves around him, but that doesn't limit us at all – quite the opposite. We savor every moment with him.
I finally overcame the grief for my late dog and let another little creature into the depths of my heart. A strong bond formed between us. When I once again allowed myself to see the shocking fates of so many poor dogs, it became crystal clear that to sleep peacefully and look myself in the eye each morning, I had to stop hiding and start actively helping these voiceless creatures.
