I’ve always loved dogs. I think it was one of my father’s greatest regrets that, because of his allergies, he couldn't get me one. Immediately following college graduation, however, I bought a yellow lab named Herschel. 14 years and thousands of great memories later, I sent her up to be with my father. I put off working in an animal shelter for many years because of how sad I thought it would make me feel. Then one day it hit me. It’s not about me.