By: Tara
This is my own twist on the quote we have all been forwarded via e-mail a time or two (or five): “Dance as though no one is watching you. Love as though you have never been hurt before. Sing as though no one can hear you. Live as though heaven is on earth.”
I have to start my first official blog post by thanking our incredible volunteer, Isabel Wang. Isabel has been our resident blogger since we launched the WHS blog. A few months ago Isabel approached Lisa LaFontaine, our President and CEO, and I, offering to help create a WHS cyberspace presence.
As an active volunteer in our shelters, Isabel knew that we have some pretty amazing stories to tell (including her adoption of one of our shelter cats!), and she thought you might enjoy hearing about them. Well, it turned out she was right, and over the last few months I have received numerous e-mails with great feedback on the blog. Thank you Isabel!
Since the beginning, Isabel has been urging me to get on and blog. You would think a girl who loves PR as much as I do would be up for blogging, but somehow it frightened me to my very core. This would mean people might really get to know me (scary)! And, if you noticed from my chosen line of work, as much as I love working with people (which I do), it is the animals I am here for and have always been my closest and most loyal friends.
Putting myself out there to be judged by people is terrifying, and probably the reason I have always surrounded myself with my animals. Some of you who know me, and see me out at events regularly, probably think I am the most outgoing girl around. Alas, I am just as insecure and self conscious as the next person, and find refuge and solace by going home to my dog, Dubious, who loves me just as I am, flawed and all. (Thanks to Joseph Allen for the photo!)
A year ago at this very same time, I probably could not have even told you what a “blog” was. Then along came the Punch, Pamela's Punch, that is, and I was forever changed. Pamela Sorenson started her blog last year and has since shaped the social landscape of Washington, DC. Pamela (pictured below with Lisa, our President and CEO) has paved the way and set the bar high as to what all we all should wish to achieve by putting ourselves out there and blogging with a purpose.
So, after plenty of pushing by Isabel, I am very excited to make this giant leap into cyberspace and start giving you an insider's view of what goes on at Washington Humane Society: from the day-to-day life at our shelters (the only two open-access facilities in DC), to the myriad of programs and services we provide the community, to our adoption events, and our very big special events. I look forward to sharing with you all that we do, the places we go, the people we meet, the animals we save, and the children we reach through our humane education program.
Most importantly, I look forward to overcoming my own personal fears in the name of helping animals, and in keeping with the quote of “Dance as though no one is watching…” I will put myself out there for all to see/read, and blog as if no one is reading! Fasten your seat belts! And please keep the feedback coming. Email me, or leave comments. I would love to hear from you!
Tara -- I have to say I love your blog. I am an animal nut (two dogs, one cat and holding there). I typically hate reading about animals that need a home because it makes me so sad. But your posts are so well written and so positive , it feels good to read about the animals because I know they will be getting a second chance.
take care -- and definitely keep it up!!! I am sure you are making a difference.
Posted by: Erika | December 12, 2007 at 04:56 PM
Tara, keep going, some of us are reading your blog from the sunny island-Singapore!
Posted by: Sunday | December 13, 2007 at 04:11 AM
Welcome to the blogosphere! It can be scary at times to be so honest, but it also can be freeing. I'm a big fan of WHS and its partners in rescue, and I am DELIGHTED that you're making this big step online!
Welcome!
Posted by: WhyMommy | December 13, 2007 at 05:34 AM
Welcome! You'll soon start jones-ing for your daily blog post. Topics will come to you in your sleep! The first one was great - we're excited to see more. : )
Posted by: Eleanor Blackford | December 13, 2007 at 03:28 PM
Tara - well done! Love the pictures! Welcome to the world of writer's wrist and blogger's butt .... xo Pamela
Posted by: Pamela Sorensen | December 13, 2007 at 04:50 PM
i love you, welcome to the 21st century :)
Posted by: mai | December 17, 2007 at 09:08 AM