by Kelly Jo Stone
“Wait, there is a dog shelter in Hamlin?” That was my response the first time my husband told me about the shelter run by Dave Maynard, the Dog Control Officer.
My husband has been training guide dogs for the blind for many years. He occasionally assists with rehoming dogs from the Hamlin Dog Shelter. We visited one such surrendered dog to find her a new home.
I called her over; she sat in front of me looking up with big dog ears, big dog eyes, and a happy dog grin. We returned home, but I couldn’t stop thinking about her, my hands itched to pet her, and my heart already loved her. Then, upon returning from work several days later, there she was.
I tried to convince myself that she wasn’t mine. Like a mantra, I repeated, “When we find her a home… When we find her a home…” I must have said it a million times, and each time I said it, I winced a little because my heart thought she was supposed to be mine.
For most of my life, I have been a mom. My children grew up. They left and became exactly what I wanted and needed them to be – wonderful, independent, and happy adults. But their leaving left me with an empty nest. Years have passed, my husband and I fill our time with trips, activities, work, and each other. We have three older dogs; they eat, play a little, and sleep a lot, which results in a peaceful household. Bringing Koka home disrupted that peace. The other three dogs were unsure what to do with the firecracker of a pup that was suddenly in their home. It didn’t take long for her to win them over.
From one day to the next, she went from a rescued dog to a member of our family. Dave told me, “When they find a home that fits, they look at you, and you can almost see they are saying thank you with their eyes.” Every time I look at her, I think of Dave and am so thankful to Dave and the Craig A. Goodrich Hamlin Dog Shelter for bringing her into our lives.
As you may have already guessed, we kept Koka. Within a couple of weeks, my husband had arranged for us to have another dog. I worried that perhaps the novelty would wear off, perhaps like so many others who adopted pets to fill a space in their heart, I would not be able to commit.
I can happily say our little Koka (which means small point in Judo) has filled a void we didn’t know was there.
Having a puppy has opened my life to things I would have never considered, like agility training. We are finding joy and aggravation in training. There is also a lot of laughter and surprises from the Three Stooges-esque comedy of having three old dogs sharing a house with a crazy puppy. Mostly though, the love that we, and our three dogs, have for the fast blur of energy that we call Koka. Gone is the peaceful household, but in its place is joy and energy.
You may be wondering what this article could be about. Is it really a story about getting a new dog?
Well, yes… but not really. Please let me explain. We went to Hamlin Dog Shelter, where Koka was awaiting adoption. Dave Maynard, with the help of Caroline and a team of dedicated volunteers, has been running the shelter for 13 years. I spoke with Dave and was surprised when he explained that the shelter does not utilize taxpayer money to feed and care for the animals; instead, it relies on donations and fundraising.
Dave and his team conduct extensive community outreach. They provide pet food and cat litter for families in emergency situations. The shelter also offers care and housing for pets during medical or housing emergencies for up to two weeks at no cost. This outreach includes rabies vaccination clinics like the one held at the shelter on May 1.
They do everything they can to heal the animals brought into the shelter. Through their outreach programs and volunteer opportunities, they give hope to the community. Dave explained that they dedicate time to rehabilitate each animal, regardless of whether it takes days or weeks. Every animal receives love and attention to help them recover and find a suitable home. This process is challenging and rewarding, and in many ways, it is healing for the staff and the volunteers who work with the animals as well.
When I asked Dave what he would like the community to know, he explained, “We care. If you are experiencing difficulties and need help, reach out. A shelter can help with food, litter, or care. If you cannot keep your pet, an animal shelter can help you with that. Shelters are in place to help people and their pets. There is no judgment if you need to surrender, but please don’t dump your pet; it is hard on the animal and far harder to bring them to safety.”
The shelter in Hamlin is evolving and changing; some said changes result from new state requirements affecting all the shelters in New York State. Those changes require funds, and I hope that the many communities that Dave and the Hamlin Dog Shelter so dedicatedly support will support the shelter in return.
Dave, Caroline, and the team are passionate, caring, dedicated, and compassionate. They do so much and are always seeking people to volunteer, donate, or help in any way they can.
As I walk through the woods at Hamlin Beach and stand in a grove of pines with Koka, it occurs to me that if the Hamlin Dog Shelter didn’t exist, I wouldn’t be standing here with my puppy. Yes, she probably would have found another home, but it wouldn’t have been mine. I would have missed the many times that I have smiled at Koka, and she has smiled back.
Craig A. Goodrich Hamlin Dog Shelter
80 Railroad Avenue, Hamlin
Dog Control Officer: Dave Maynard
Phone Number: 353-8177
Pager Number: 525-1608
Email: davemaynard13@gmail.com
Hours: By Appointment
