Macy Miller, an incoming senior atbrCarroll Senior High, has grown up around all kinds of animals: dogs, cats,brhorses, donkeys and others. She’s always had a heart for animals—especiallybrthose in shelters. As a way to give back and help shelter animals, she createdbrthe organization Sasha's Pals in 2012. Her mission? Give dogs a morebrcomfortable stay during their time in the shelter. She hopes to raise $2,000 tobrbenefit The Humane Society of North Texas and the Dallas Animal Shelter. Southlake Style caught up with Miller tobrlearn more about Sasha’s Pals.
Southlake Style: Tell us a little about the missionbrof Sasha’s Pals.
Miller: Our mission is to givebrback to local shelters to help the dogs be comfortable for the time that theybrare in the shelter. Currently, our project is raising money for dog beds.
SS: Why is the cause close to your heart?
Miller: I love animals and specifically,brshelter animals. My family has adopted many through the years. It’sbrheartbreaking when you go to shelters and see the sad faces and some of thebrconditions the dogs have to endure while they are there. The shelters do allbrthey can but support is limited and animals are numerous. It’s such a traumaticbrexperience for animals—whether they were lost and ended up in the shelter,brsurrendered, dumped, etc. The look on their faces breaks my heart. I would lovebrto adopt them all, so the one thing I can do is make their stay at the shelterbra little more comfortable.
SS: How did you get involved with the Humane Society ofbrNorth Texas and Dallas Animal Shelter?
Miller: We have worked with bothbrorganizations and have also adopted animals from them as well.
SS: What's it like seeing shelter dogs get new beds?
Miller: The dogs are so excited!brMany of them just have the concrete floor. brThey jump right in the beds with wagging tails. They dogs love the cot beds because they arebrcool and the shelter loves them because they are easy to maintain.
SS: Where do you get the beds?
Miller: We order the beds from abrcot bed manufacturer. We have worked out special pricing with a bulk order inbrorder to get the best price.
SS: What do you find most rewarding about working withbrshelter dogs?
Miller: Shelter dogs need abrvoice—the more people that can help, the better. If I can raise awareness andbrfunds, that is such a positive force. My goal is to make a difference and Ibrhope that Sasha’s pals does just that.
SS: Do you have plans this summer to continue your workbrwith local shelters?
Miller: Yes, I will continue to fundraisebrfor different needs of the shelters and I’m also planning on taking photographsbrof the animals for the shelters. A picture is worth a thousand words. Many ofbrthe shelters are short staffed and they snap a quick pic of the animal thatbrsometimes isn’t the most flattering. When many people are looking for a shelterbrdog, they will look at the shelter’s website or on a search site likebrPetfinder. They may completely overlook a dog/cat based on a bad photograph. Mybrgoal is to help with the animal’s “marketability” by taking pictures thatbrreflect their own unique personality. I’m excited about this project as wellbrand feel that it will help animals get adopted quicker.
SS: You've achieved almost half of your $2,000 goal. Anythingbryou'd like to say to the community?
Miller: Our community is awesome!brI have grown up in Southlake so I know firsthand how great of a community webrhave. We help each other, and community service is an integral part of so manybrpeople’s lives. I set a $1,000 goal in the beginning based on the minimum bedbrorder for the special pricing, but the more money we can raise the better. Withbr$2,000, we could obtain 125 beds!
Want to take part in thebrcause? Click here to make a donation to Sasha’s Pals.