I grew up in a small town, and my mother was the person that took in all the stray dogs. We’d clean them up, and mom would find new homes for them. My job was the clean up crew; removing ticks, patching up wounds, bathing, brushing, feeding, etc. In general, bringing them back to health was my role.

As the town grew, so did its needs. Now my mom was thinking bigger, Grethe Cox collected a group of like minded individuals and founded the Animal Samaritans. She raised a ton of money and built a low-cost spay and neuter clinic. My job at the clinic…clean up crew. I was in charge of monitoring the animals post surgery, and keeping them and their kennels clean while they awoke from the anesthesia.

Someone once asked me, why a pet shop? The answer was obvious, because it sure beats the heck out of being the clean up crew. Now I get to help people spoil their pets.

I’m sending love out to all the clean up crews everywhere. It’s real work you do, and so VERY important. Thank you.