House of Dreams

Volunteer Spotlight: Molly

Meet Molly.  She has been volunteering at least four years.

HOD: Molly, why did you choose to volunteer with House of Dreams?

Molly: I love the kitties.

HOD: What Projects or responsibilities do you have at HOD? 

Molly: cleaning

HOD: What do you do when you aren’t working at House of Dreams?

Molly: swim, ski and several other volunteer jobs

 HOD: What is your favorite part about volunteering with HOD?

Molly: being needed.

HOD: Do you have any stories to share or a favorite memory from House of Dreams?

Molly: working with turtle

 HOD: Do you have a a quote or motto that you live by?

Molly:  live each day to the fullest

 

Volunteer spotlight: Bryonie

 Meet Bryonie. She has been volunteering for nearly 6 years with HOD. This is a photo of Bryonie with her first kitty (as an adult), Skooter.  She was the 6th kittten Bryonie fostered, and she couldn't let her go!

 

 HOD: Bryonie, why did you choose to volunteer with House of Dreams?

Bryonie: I had a bit of free time and knew I needed to be around more kitties! After having experienced volunteering at both no-kill shelters and the 'other' kind, I knew I couldn't handle being anywhere but a no-kill shelter.  So I started looking around, and I found HOD. I also felt really good about the fact that it was a free roam shelter too. So, 5 1/2 years later...and I'm incredibly grateful I found this place!

HOD: What Projects or responsibilities do you have at HOD? 

Bryonie: I've been a cleaner until now, but I am phasing out of that. I have been on the adoption committee for a little over a year now. I will continue to do that as well as use my freed up time (not cleaning) to spend more time doing what I really love to do...socializing the shy and fearful kitties. I would really love to offer a free 'workshop' actually to any volunteers interested, to teach tips for working with fearful/aggressive and shy kitties. I studied TTouch for a couple years and feel some of the skills I learned doing that could be really helpful! (It's something I've discussed with Kristin but plan to hash out more details with her in the near future.)

 I'm also on the facebook team. I've been writing the kitty-of-the-week posts (I apologize for the many skipped weeks recently!!).

HOD: What do you do when you aren’t working at House of Dreams?

Bryonie: I'm self employed as a sculptor. I make creature/faery art dolls. (although I really don't like using the term 'doll'!)  my website is www.whisperweald.com if you have any interest :)

I am also working on a book... (can't say more than that about it! Must be very mysterious...)

I dance, play house, do crafty things, and spend lots of time loving my hubby, doggie--Baxter, and 3 kitties--Skooter, Strider, and Nicodemus (who I adopted from HOD last year...known then as Nicholas). 

 HOD: What is your favorite part about volunteering with HOD?

Bryonie: Ohhhhh goodness. That's like asking me my favorite food. ...Wait, you did that too!! :)

Hmmmmm....I'd have to say bringing the shy ones out of their shells. 

There's also sitting on the floor and being covered with furry bundles of love and joy---pure bliss. 

HOD: Do you have any stories to share or a favorite memory from House of Dreams?

Bryonie: Shy kitty story! Most of you know Pepe [photo below] and his history (yes?). Just in case you don't, he and his three siblings (Beryl, Thor, and Valentino---different Valentino, adopted long ago now) were feral kittens born to a momma that lived outside of the old HOD shelter. Beryl and Valentino were rescued first--and got a bit of a head start on the socializing. Pepe and Thor came in two weeks later and were always more skittish. Well, Beryl had been coming out of her shell more and more, but Pepe and Thor still wouldn't let anyone near them. They had been at the shelter for many months (I can't remember how long now), and I noticed Pepe had started seeming a bit more interested in me. He's watch me clean.  He'd follow me into different rooms. He'd sit and stare at me when I was petting other kitties. I kept talking to him playing with a wand toy around him.  He started to actually sniff the toy--not run away! Eventually, I graduated to petting him with the wand toy--he found this to be quite curious and decided it was 'ok' after a few attempts. Over the weeks, I moved the toy closer and closer to me, until one day, he sniffed my shoes and started to play with my shoelaces! This felt like a huge victory! I'll never forget the day he actually let me pet him. (I got to be the first one to pet him...and I'll admit, I like boasting about that!)  He looked at me with so many questions, and I guess I answered them well, because he let me scratch his cheek and head for quite awhile. Now he follows me from room to room still, and seeks out a comfortable, safe place for me to give him some love. I have a very special spot in my heart for him. 

Still working on Thor.... :) 

 
 

 HOD: Do you have a favorite food you’d like to mention or a quote or motto that you live by?

Bryonie: Coffee. Love me my coffee.  Quote to live by: "Though eating Honey is a very good thing to do, there is a moment Just before you eat it which is even better."  --AA Milne, Winnie the Pooh.

Volunteer Spotlight: Alanna

 
Meet Alanna. She has been volunteering since February 2010. Here she is with her two kitty boys. Sagittarius, the Balinese, was born in Arizona and Xiao Mao was adopted from the Oregon Humane Society. 

HOD: Alanna, why did you choose to volunteer with House of Dreams?

A: I adopted a kitty boy from the Humane Society and knew that I wanted to support the rescue of animals through volunteer work, too. I want to develop my writing skills as well, and with the wackiness of my work schedule and other hobbies/volunteer work, HOD gives me the flexibility to volunteer when I can. Plus, everybody was super nice and welcoming.

HOD: What Projects or responsibilities do you have at HOD? 

A: I usually write an article for the newsletter and I post to the blog.

HOD: What do you do when you aren’t working at House of Dreams?

A: I work as a volunteer manager and in my spare time, I’m coordinate the Urban Sketchers Portland group and I’ve been a co-newsletter editor with Columbia River Peace Corps Association.

HOD: What is your favorite part about volunteering with HOD?

A: Knowing that I am helping, even in a small way, get the word out about House of Dreams and its mission.

HOD: Do you have any stories to share or a favorite memory from House of Dreams?

A: I loved meeting Willie and having him jump up on me…and then being told he might pee on me! I’ve also really enjoyed receiving these volunteer spotlights to post on the blog. HOD attracts very interesting volunteers!

 HOD: Do you have a favorite food you’d like to mention or a quote or motto that you live by?

A: I love chocolate, for sure…my quote would have to be “Be the change you wish to see in the world.” …so true.

Volunteer Spotlight: Kathy

Meet Kathy.

 
HOD: Kathy, why did you choose to volunteer with House of Dreams?

K: My love of cats.  I think I was a cat in a previous life.  Seriously, I attract these little creatures, so I feel that I may have been one of them.

I used to volunteer at CAT, when they first opened.  My daughter wanted to become a Veterinarian, so she wanted to volunteer.  She was too young to go out there herself, so I went with her.  We spent every Thursday afternoon cleaning cages, filling food and litter, washing bedding and litter boxes and playing with the kitties.  

 Once fall arrived, and she returned to middle school, our days there were few.  We also lived in east county, so driving to Sherwood was a bit far.  

 Fast forward many years, I started donating to HOD, via the Angel Kitty program.  Then, I knew that I was ready to volunteer again and try to figure out a way to do so that fit my schedule. 

 HOD: What Projects or responsibilities do you have at HOD? 

K: I am on the fund raising team.  My main responsibility, right now, is planning a mini Bridal Show.  We received a donation of 30+ bridal gowns, veils, tiaras and undergarments from a bridal shop that closed.  We hope to make a nice amount to support out kitties all the while giving great deals to brides

HOD: What do you do when you aren’t working at House of Dreams?

K: My income is derived from working in the wine business.  I sell wine to restaurants and retail accounts. Please, please, buy MY wines.  The more wine I sell, the more money I can give.

HOD: What is your favorite part about volunteering with HOD?

K: The cats!  It is all about the cats!  I have two shelter cats, right now.  One came from OHS in 1996.  He came here with his "brother".  They were not related, they simply came to us on the same day.  His "brother" crossed the Rainbow Bridge this past September.  My other shelter cat came from MCAS in 2006.  She was the K-103 Pet of the Week.  All three of these kitties were saved from fate.  I love the fact that the kitties at HOD will find  a forever home, or live at HOD for live.  

 HOD: Do you have a favorite food you’d like to mention or a quote or motto that you live by?

K: Chocolate!  Just do not feed it to your pets!

Volunteer Spotlight: Kristin

 
Meet Kristin. She has been volunteering since fall 1999, so almost 12 years. Kristin is seen here with Casanova, a baby Alpaca.

HOD: Kristin, why did you choose to volunteer with House of Dreams?

K: After so many years with the shelter, I feel very committed to the cats, but also to the other people who volunteer here. House of Dreams has become an integral part of my life, something I work on almost every day. At this point, I can't imagine life without volunteering.

HOD: What Projects or responsibilities do you have at HOD? 

K: Board President, founder and co-chair of the Pretty Kitty Holiday Craft Bazaar, work on various other fundraisers, morning medications, Thursday cleaning, shelter communications, adoptions, daily operations,  and whatever else needs doing!

HOD: What do you do when you aren’t working at House of Dreams?

K: I am a self-employed as a knitwear designer.
I do yoga, take dance classes, percussion classes, and read and cook a lot.

 HOD: What is your favorite part about volunteering with HOD?

 K: Knowing that we are helping animals who otherwise might not have a chance; seeing how the shelter brightens the lives of the people who volunteer there.

HOD: Do you have any stories to share or a favorite memory from House of Dreams?

K: That's a really tough one, but I would have to say the rescue of a litter of kittens a few years back. On afternoon, Eileen, our director was doing the feeding when she got a call from a very distraught young man. A couple days earlier, a stray cat (he called her Sweetie) gave birth to a litter of kittens in his home. Just before he called, she had been hit by a car and killed. He was then left with 4 newborn kittens to care for, with no idea of how to do it. On top of that, he was in the military, and was soon to be shipped off for training. He was devasted by the loss of Sweetie and very concerned about the welfare of the kittens.
Eileen said we could help, and to bring the kittens to us asap. He jumped in a cab (I think he was located in a suburb outside of Portland), brought the kittens to us, and we got them into foster care, where they could be bottle fed until they were big enough to eat on their own.
All 4 kittens thrived, and were eventually adopted into the same home--my mother's! So I get to see them all the time, and they are big, healthy, very loving cats.

 

To make this story even better, the father of the kittens was another stray named Space. Because the young man was going out of state for training, he was worried about what would happen to Space in his absence. HOD decided to take Space in too. After training, the young man re-located to another state, but once he settled, he contacted us and adopted Space! So what started out as a potentially heartbreaking story ended with a very happy ending. 
 Why do I keep volunteering at HOD? Because of stories like this.

 HOD: Do you have a favorite food you’d like to mention or a quote or motto that you live by?

K:     My current favorite food is probably pie. Pie or pastry. I don't have a motto, but I saw this at the coffee shop a couple days ago, and thought it was pretty good. From Plato: "Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle."

Volunteer Spotlight: Judy

 

Meet Judy. She has been volunteering for 8 months now. She has chosen a photo of Snowball to represent her.

HOD: Judy, why did you choose to volunteer with House of Dreams?

Judy: I wanted to do volunteer work but hadn't found the right "fit" for me until I read about HOD in the Oregonian one day.  I just knew this was made for me! It's the love of the kitties that keep me coming back, even tho I live on the mountain and it takes me an hour to get there! Also our "Tuesday work crew" is the best!

 HOD: What Projects or responsibilities do you have at HOD? 

Judy: I "work" in the FeLV rooms and one of these days I hope to re-carpet the cat tree in the back room.  I also helped  out at the yard sales last summer and the Pretty Kitty Bazaar.  All of which I plan to do again this year.

HOD: What do you do when you aren’t working at House of Dreams?

Judy: I am retired from the Oregon Trail School District, and like to read, and do crafts.  I  walk the golf course paths almost every day for exercise. 

 I have always had a cat or two in my life.  Right now I share my home with my hubby and our cat, Mr. Whipple.  His sweet sister, Charmin, crossed the Rainbow Bridge two years ago and we all still miss her.

 HOD: What is your favorite part about volunteering with HOD?

Judy: My favorite thing about volunteering  at HOD is knowing I'm spreading a little more love to those kitties and feel their love in return.

HOD: Do you have any stories to share or a favorite memory from House of Dreams?

Judy: I love  sitting down after my work is completed and asking "Who wants a lap?"  Doctor Cross is usually the first one there but sometimes Berger AND Crissy beat him to it and they both climb on.

 HOD: Do you have or a quote or motto that you live by? 

Judy: My motto to live by is too take each day as it comes, and to  try to see the world though the eyes of a child.

Volunteer Spotlight: Dee

 Meet Dee. She has been volunteering for four years but recently retired from volunteering, although she supports House of Dreams through the Scrip program. She has chosen a photo of Spencer to represent her because “we’re both seniors and I do believe Spencer is the only cat that is still around from when I first began volunteering.

 

HOD: Dee, why did you choose to volunteer with House of Dreams?

D: I Loved the fact that it is free roam

 

HOD: What Projects or responsibilities do you have at HOD? 

D: Just retired from cleaning at the request of my knees, hope to find a way to help that is less physically taxing.

 

HOD: What do you do when you aren’t working at House of Dreams?

 D: At 71, I still work part-time and volunteer with Multnomah County Library's Visiting Voices reading aloud to nursing home residents, as well as obeying the whims of our 4 cats.

 

HOD: What is your favorite part about volunteering with HOD?

D: The cats and the other volunteers.

 

HOD: Do you have any stories to share or a favorite memory from House of Dreams?

D: I have loved watching the shy cats such as the Beryl and Annie become social.

 

HOD: Do you have a favorite food you’d like to mention or a quote or motto that you live by?

D: Sounds corny, but I love the Mitford prayer:  Make me a blessing to someone today.

Volunteer Spotlight: John

 

Meet John. He has been volunteering one and a half years. John chose a photo of Annie to represent him.

HOD: John, why did you choose to volunteer with House of Dreams?

John: The cats and people are always laid back and glad to see you.

HOD: What Projects or responsibilities do you have at HOD? 

John: Shy cats and I'm on the board of directors, I am also working on the website.

HOD: What is your outside employment or hobby? 

John:  carnivorous plants.

 HOD: What is your favorite part about volunteering with HOD?

John: [knowing] the cats are in a good place where they never have to worry about being hurt or abandoned again.

HOD: Do you have any stories to share or a favorite memory from House of Dreams?

John: When I was at the old shelter, Beryl ran over and stretched out on my lap, and even let me rub her belly.  It was such a good feeling to see that much trust from a cat who was raised by a feral mom and had never learned to trust humans before coming to HoD.  Another one was when Annie finally came out from that hole in the bottom of the tree and said hello, then gradually started mingling with the rest of the cats.

HOD: Do you have a favorite food you’d like to mention?

 John:  Vietnamese coffee or espresso.

Volunteer Spotlight: Cheryl

 

Meet Cheryl. She has been volunteering  since mid-January 2011. She is pictured here with Velo.

HOD: Cheryl, why did you choose to volunteer with House of Dreams?

Cheryl: I sustained a mild traumatic brain injury last summer and have been at home on medical leave. I craved doing something productive other than rehab and medical appointments. The cats help me heal and make me feel useful, and the humans at HOD provide exceptional support, structure, and kindness. I don’t know greater peace than snuggling with cats.

HOD: What Projects or responsibilities do you have? 

Cheryl: Grooming with my Furminator, clean-up, whispering sweet nothings in their fuzzy ears 

HOD: What do you do when you aren’t working at House of Dreams?

Cheryl: Speech-language pathologist and performer with mixed abilities dance and performance. Was a full-time bike commuter nearly 15 years but bus-riding will be my new hobby because of this brain injury.

 HOD: What is your favorite part about volunteering with HOD?

Cheryl: The cats let you know their individual personalities right away. Each time I visit, I learn a little more about the ways each likes to be interacted with. It’s rewarding to get to know them and know who will come over and purr in my ear (from perched on my back) and who prefers to be admired from afar.

HOD: Do you have any stories to share or a favorite memory from House of Dreams?

Cheryl: I’ve been head over heels for Frankie [pictured below] since my first time at HOD, but since that day, she’s always in her cupboard when I’m there. I spend all week dreaming about her, and yesterday, she came out as soon as I walked up to her after cleaning. We snuggled, groomed, and got a little play time.

 

 HOD: Do you have a quote or motto that you live by?

 

Cheryl: I’m a secular person but Jewish by birth. I really appreciate “Dayenu,” meaning more or less “It would have been enough,” something sung about at Passover. It’s a huge expression of gratitude. For example, it would have been enough that I found a good place to volunteer where people are patient with my on and off confusion, but it’s a place with 50 cats. It would have been enough that there are 50 cats, but they roam free. It would have been enough that they roam free, but they sit on my lap and talk to me. It’s like that. Makes me aware of the little things that build into something larger and wonderful. But each little thing is wonderful in and of itself, like each sparkling eye, each soft purr, each tender lick on your hand, each cat who lets you hold him while he sleeps. Dayenu.

Volunteer Spotlight: Linda

 

Meet Linda. She has been volunteering with House of Dreams for 8 years. She chose a photo of Pleah to represent her. Linda adopted Pleah from HOD nearly 3 years ago. Volunteers may remember her as she was a 6-month old abuse-survivor who lost an eye.

HOD: Linda, why did you choose to volunteer with House of Dreams?

Linda:   I chose HOD because it’s a small shelter where I knew I could make a difference, even in a small way.

HOD: What Projects or responsibilities do you have? 

Linda: I can’t volunteer at the shelter itself, so I make, hand write, and send out thank-you notes to our donors which I do twice a month. I created and maintain our animal resources listing which helps with referrals. Each year I make and sell my own jewelry designs at our pretty kitty fundraising bazaar in November. I also foster cats for HOD.

HOD: What do you do when you aren’t working at House of Dreams?

Linda: I’m retired. I design and make jewelry, read, and play with my 4 “differently-abled” cats. 

 HOD: What is your favorite part about volunteering with HOD?

Linda: doing something to help make the world a better place. Hearing that people really love receiving the thank-you notes for their donations. Also adopting Pleah and Elza (AKA “Little Foot”) from HOD

 HOD: Do you have a favorite food you’d like to share and/or a quote or motto that you live by?

 Linda:   Favorite food is chocolate and champagne and a quote is "WE CANNOT DO GREAT THINGS; WE CAN ONLY DO SMALL THINGS WITH GREAT LOVE."    -- MOTHER TERESA