b'And, about those kids; The Medinas have 12-year-old Camille and six-year-old Austin. The Lorios have 12-year-oldJoseph. Thekidsareallawareofwhattheirmoms are doing, often riding along with them to thesheltertohelppulldogs.Oneday,recently,PamWaldron,sheltersupervisoratPolkCountyAnimalControl, pulled Shannon and Angela aside and remindedthem, Your kids are learning about service and compas-sion, and thats something bigger than the both of you.As Lorio sat gently rubbing a nervous rescue dog,whose head was in her lap, she said, Once in awhile Iremind my husband that I dont shop for designer bags.My designer bag is a dog who needs help.Across the country, municipal shelters (animal con-trol, animal services) rely on their pre-approved list ofpartner rescue groups in order to save more shelter dogsand cats. Lack of space is a poor excuse for ending the lifeof a healthy, adoptable animal. More shelters are realiz-ing this as members of their communities start speakingup and pitching in to help find a better solution.Rescuegroups like Polk County Bully Project give the staff andvolunteers at shelters like Polk County Animal Controlthe incentive to continue to improve. Thats more thanhope. Thats a sea change. UPolk County Bully Project2930 Winter Lake Road, Lakeland, FloridaPolkCountyBullyProject.comWish List:Foster family volunteersHeartGard heartworm prevention medicineCash donationsFor more information on Florida Leaders in Lifesaving, visitwww.FloridaLeadersInLifesaving.orgwww.TheNewBarker.com THE NEW BARKER 45'