“Live Your Dream”…what a simple yet profound statement and I feel so blessed to have the opportunity to be doing just that.  But it wasn’t long ago that I felt a bit trapped in an 8-5 (or 6 or 7 plus some weekends) job that although I enjoyed parts of the work and my team it certainly wasn’t my passion and it didn’t allow much time for my family.  I have known for years, really ever since I was a little girl, that I wanted to work with animals in some aspect, which is probably a blessing in itself.  However, at that time I was blissfully unaware of the challenges animals face in the animal rescue world so I considered being a pet groomer, a vet, or even a police officer so I could have a German Shepard as my partner!  It wasn’t until my late 20’s that I discovered the world of animal rescue and I’ve been hooked ever since.

The problem was that my fulltime + job and being a new mom wasn’t allowing me much time to spend at the shelter with animals in need, or what I like to call “my happy place”.  So after a year of being a working mom, missing my son like crazy, and feeling as though a part of me (animal rescue) was missing, my husband and I decided to take a leap of faith and I quit my job!  It’s really hard to believe but it’s already been over a year since I started staying home and I wouldn’t change a thing!  It is difficult to put into words, or to even write about without getting tears in my eyes, but the time I’ve been able to spend with my son has been absolutely priceless.  Of course like any stay-at-home mom, there are tough days and days where I feel like I could go a little crazy :), but overall it has been a very positive change for my family.

In addition to being able to spend more time with my family (our cats and dog included!), I am also able to spend a lot more time volunteering at the animal shelter and I was even able to start Animal Rescue Talk!   And one of the coolest parts of my new life is being able to take my son to the shelter and to have him share in my passion.  Just the other day we went to the shelter to visit a very special cat, Chuckie, and my son decided he wanted to read to the cats while we were there (pictured above).  Although I can already see his kindness and love towards animals, I’m not sure his dream will be animal rescue, as of now he tells me he wants to “play ball” when he grows up!

I want each of you to seriously consider if you are Living Your Dream?  Whatever it may be.  Life is not a trial run, you only get one shot, so why not live your life following your passion and dreams?  You might not make a lot of money, or any, but I promise you it will be rewarding in so many other ways!  Lastly, it would be remiss of me if I didn’t give a HUGE shout out to my husband, Adam, for working so hard (luckily at a job he loves!) so that I can follow my dreams of being with my son, caring for my family, and helping animals in need.