Step 9: Experience an RTO

You can have a lot of sad experiences while working at a humane society: taking a family pet away to a back room because they can no longer keep their animal, cats and dogs so sick that they just lay motionless in their bed, sad puppy dog and kitty cat eyes that stare at you through the bars of their cages for months on end.

But one of the happiest things that you can witness is a Return to Owner (an RTO, as we call it). In fact, I'd almost go as far as to say that it's happier than an actual adoption.

Don't get me wrong, it's always wonderful when a dog or cat finally finds a forever home. But there's just so much more emotion when an animal is reunited with his family (at least, that's the case when it comes to dogs). How they pull at the leash as they run up to their owner, the little whine that grows louder and louder the more they jump and spin around, that brief silent moment as the two hug.

It's always horrible when you lose a pet, but such a feel good moment when you see owner and pet reunited.

Step 8: Survive the Blizzard!

What are poor cold kitties supposed to do when it's -15 degrees out? Cuddle up in blankets, that's what!

Or they could be like Arlo, crying about wanting to go out, not listening to you when you say it's too cold, stepping out onto the back porch, noticing all the snow, and quickly heading back in to sit on the register.

It's pretty hard for humans when we're forced to stay indoors for an extended period of time, but I think it's even harder for our pets. When we're forced inside, we can always find things to do - watch a movie, play on the internet, read a book, etc. But animals, they come in, explore the house that they've lived in their entire life (nothing new there), eat some food (as if they weren't fat enough already), and sleep (ok, that one's not so bad). But that's all they really get to do. That, and watch us humans.

Most of my pets are used to going out multiple times a day, and for long periods. With the weather being so bad, we've got to keep them inside (or shorten their time out in the snow). Don't get me wrong, it's much better than the animals who get left outside and freeze to death, but Lexi always looks so sad when we call her back in after only being out for 5 minutes. She really does love the snow, just not frozen paws.

So just remember, as you survive snowpocalypse 2014, take a little extra time to play with your animals indoor - they're just as bored as you!