Dog-walking duo happiest when dogs disappear

April 12, 2010. For immediate release.

Mathew and Melanie Scott became so attached to a three-legged dog named Blix that the day they learned they would never see him again was among the happiest in their lives.

What?

The husband-wife team are the volunteer dog-walking coordinators at the BC SPCA's Maple Ridge shelter. While most people come to the shelter to see the animals, the Scotts come to ensure they find new, permanent homes.

"You never want to see the same dogs week after week," said Melanie. "You want to know they've gone to a good home."

Blix, a Belgian shepherd malinois, was hit by a car last summer. The impact of the collision threw the young dog into a ditch, where he remained until a Good Samaritan called the SPCA to pick him up.

Blix was immediately rushed to a veterinarian, where his badly injured leg was pinned. Unfortunately, the leg didn't heal properly and eventually had to be amputated.

Throughout Blix's ordeal and recovery, the Scotts saw him weekly, hoping that one day, the energetic dog would steal someone's heart. Two weeks before Christmas, the Scotts got their wish and arrived at the shelter one Monday morning to see Blix's empty kennel.

"What a great day that was," said Melanie. "The person who adopted him still sends us updates to let us know how he's doing. They sent us a photo of him running through a field, having such a great time.  Moments like that keep us coming back, it's a great feeling."

Mathew Scott works for Canada Post, dispelling the myth that letter carriers and dogs don't get along, while Melanie Scott works at a hotel in downtown Vancouver. The two have been volunteering for a little over a year and see no signs of stopping. "It's an escape from the everyday hustle and bustle," says Mathew. "The people who work at the shelter are wonderful. It's great to be around like-minded people who share the same passion for the animals."

The Scotts have two cats - sisters they adopted after their mother was snatched by a coyote. They don't have room in their home for a dog, but are content to get their canine fix as the shelter's dog-walking coordinators.

"We would love to have a dog of our own, but we just don't have the time. Helping the dogs at the shelter brings us as much joy as we hope we can bring to them," says Melanie.

The Scotts are two of the BC SPCA's 4,000 volunteers, who work in countless capacities across the province, from walking dogs and cuddling cats to organizing events and fundraising. The BC SPCA salutes these essential volunteers during National Volunteer Week April 18 to 24.

BC SPCA branches, shelters and animal care centres are always looking for new volunteers. Visit spca.bc.ca/volunteer.

Photo Caption: Melanie and Mathew Scott

For more information:

Melissa Major, coordinator of volunteers, BC SPCA, 604-681-7271.

The BC SPCA is a non-profit organization funded primarily by public donations. Our mission is to prevent cruelty and to promote the welfare of animals through a wide range of services, including cruelty investigations, emergency rescue and treatment, sheltering and adoption of homeless and abused animals, humane education, advocacy, farm animal welfare, spay/neuter programs, and wildlife rescue and rehabilitation.