So a dog walks into a Starbucks …
No, this is not the beginning of a corny joke but rather a theme for “Doggy Day Out” – a new and unique opportunity for residents and shelter dogs at Amarillo Animal Management and Welfare (AAMW).
Doggie Day Out is a volunteer program that allows residents to take a shelter dog out for a day of fun, which might include a trip to the park, shopping for pet food or even a coffee run to Starbucks.
“We went to Starbucks, but that was more for me,” Amarillo native and Doggy Day Out volunteer Josselyn Reid said with a laugh. “We also went to Wendy’s for lunch – a chicken nugget.”
“We went to the park, took a long hike and yes, we went to Starbucks,” said Amarillo native and Doggy Day Out volunteer Alyssa Watson.
Reid spent the day with Ran Ran, a Cowboy Corgi.
Watson spent the day with Black Bear, a retriever/collie mixed breed.
In addition to having a great day with new friends, the best news for Ran Ran and Black Bear is they both have new homes. Black Bear was adopted and Ran Ran went to rescue.
“Ran Ran was the smallest dog at the shelter,” said Reid, an AAMW volunteer since childhood. “He was a sweet little dude. I loved him. He took a nap on the couch at home. He was a napper.”
Reid has four cats at home but no dogs due to lack of a backyard fence.
“Doggy Day Out helps me because I may not be as obnoxious to my husband about wanting a dog,” Reid said with a laugh. “My cats are my children, but dogs have a different vibe. The Doggy Day Out program is nostalgic for me.”
Watson and Black Bear also visited Hobby Lobby.
“Black Bear was a huge hit at Hobby Lobby,” said Watson, who is a dog trainer and has a dog and two cats at home.
“The Doggy Day Out program is a great program for people who cannot fully commit to a dog. If you can’t fully commit, this is a great way to help out the community and help our animals.”
Participants in the Doggy Day Out program must be at least 18 years old, submit an application and waiver and attend a brief training session on the first Saturday of each month or by appointment.
For more information on the Doggy Day Out Program, go to: bit.ly/3XRqzLv
