The Landfill & Animal Shelter- Our Saturday Tradition

Prior to children, my husband and I emptied the garbage cans and refrigerator every Saturday morning, went to the landfill and then out to breakfast and a drive. While pregnant, I brought up the topic of a garbage service and my husband took his stance: 'I want my children to see the amount of garbage we make and be responsible for taking care of it.' Besides, he thought of a garage service as a waste of money.

The new tradition began. It used to be that my hubby moved our daughter's car seat into his beat up old truck and headed to the landfill. As she grew, they began visiting to the doggies adjacent to the recycle center at the landfill. Then they began going inside and visiting all of the animals. Followed by a stop at the coffee shop for some non-mom approved sugary items.



Once our son came along, he joined in the fun. They now began taking the mini-van and it has become 'their' thing. I stay at home and do cleaning while the three of them are off learning about garbage disposal, recycling, the reasons why animals are at the shelter and how they can share love with them. "Why are they here?" they ask. Well, some 'mommies' and 'daddies' have to move and the animals can not move to the new place, but most are there because people do not take care of them or they let their animals have litters and then dump them off. They enjoy going there to let the animals know they are loved. They also rejoice when an animal is not there and know they now have a loving home (no kill shelter).



Well, the shelter was a tiny dilapidated building and the town desperately needed a new one. After years of hard work and fundraising, the new shelter became a reality. We were so happy to be a part of the grand opening and were thrilled to see the new and spacious habitat the animals now have as their temporary home.


I love that my husband uses every Saturday to teach them about life & love and they enjoy the entire trip, including the sugary snack they share afterwards (and then hide the evidence of from mom).