The Power of Showing Up

June 2, 2025 – Project Shelterlight

This week, I stopped by a shelter. I signed in like anyone might—saying I was there to look at dogs, like I might be adopting.

That was true.
And also not the whole story.

I didn’t come with a clipboard. I didn’t come with confrontation.
I walked through calmly, quietly, taking in the faces—some old, some new. Some dogs I remembered. Some I’d worked with. One had come back after almost a year.
That part hit harder than I expected.

Some staff smiled. One bumped me on the shoulder like old friends do.
And the dogs? Well… some of them probably recognized my cologne.
I’ve always believed they remember the people who showed up for them.

The volunteer who walked me through did a very good job. He was calm, thoughtful, and paying attention to the dogs.
Seeing someone like that giving their time reminded me that even in hard places, good people still show up.

I didn’t say much. I didn’t need to.

If you’re in the building doing the work—cleaning kennels, handling intake, volunteering, walking the hard dogs, doing what you can with what you have—thank you. Truly. We see you.

Sometimes, just being there says everything.

– Project Shelterlight