03/25/2026
"There are many men who feel a kind of twister pride in cynicism; there are many who confine themselves to criticism of the way others do what they themselves dare not even attempt...
It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat." - Theodore Roosevelt
I have the honor of working with some of the most compassionate hearts. People who work tirelessly to create a world that is kinder to its creatures. In an imperfect world, in an imperfect system, they try and make the most of what they have, and what they are given. In spite of every sacrifice, they continue on a journey where there is no finish line.
Noone talks about the ACOs who come in on their days off to run playgroups and take new photos and videos. The coordinators, care staff, and managers who foster countless dogs every year. The directors, supervisors and medical teams who sit in meeting after meeting, asking "what more can we try for this animal," despite every limitation they face.
No industry is perfect, and we can and should always strive to improve. But if we want change, real change, sustainable change, there is no option but to open our hearts and our minds to find solutions together. No one organization can do this alone. May we grow to understand the human experience on both sides of the shelter doors.
