So last summer I offered to help Big Dogs Huge Paws with home checks. Home checks are when a volunteer goes out to meet a prospective adopting family. We check to ensure that they are what they said they were, that there are no hazards (like an unfenced swimming pool) at the home and that we would feel comfortable allowing them to have one of our dogs.
As you all know, I do not like the general public. Oh, it's nothing the general public has done wrong, it's me. I don't like meeting new people and I really don't like talking to new people. As you can imagine, home checks are excruciating to me. I only volunteered to help because I wanted to help the dogs in some way, and god knows Tony and I can't foster because of neighbor problems.
I've done seven home checks now, and I have to say, that I'm starting to love them. They are not only forcing me out of my shell by making me interact with people I don't know, but they allow me to personally see the excitement of a family waiting to get a new dog. The home check I did today was by far the best yet.
It was a family of four, with two teens, probably between 13 and 15. They were almost giddy with excitement. The instant I came in the door, they were peppering me with questions about Great Danes, begging me to let Hudson off his leash, and wanting to know how quickly they could get their new dog. As soon as H was off his leash, they took him on a tour of the place. They laughed with delight as he slimed their beds and tripped them in the hallway. They took him outside to play with their beagle, Buddy, and were amazed by the massive amount of pee that a Dane can contain.
A typical home check takes 45-60 minutes. I stayed with this family for an hour and a half, and even then, I was only able to fight my way to the door because H had a vet appointment. This family is why I will continue to do home checks.
