One of the many fun aspects of designing a new animal adoption and education center is choosing the look and feel.
We always joked that our former home of six decades had the charm of the DMV! Most visitors thought it felt crowded and cramped. They said it smelled. The barking was deafening and the architecture cold and drab.
Still, we did amazing work inside that facility (and still do!), but it’s difficult to dress-up chain link and cinderblock.
So, when we began drawing up plans for our new center, we had two simple visitor-related goals: make them smile and sprinkle in a few surprises.
An early research assignment involved collecting animal-related quotes. These choices, below, became our quote toolbox and a good number ended up in the final product. Enjoy!
Dogs
If there are no dogs in Heaven, then when I die I want to go where they went. – Will Rogers
The average dog is a much nicer person than the average person. – Andy Rooney
I wonder if other dogs think poodles are members of a weird religious cult. – Rita Rudner
Dogs are not our whole lives, but they make our lives whole. – Roger Caras
Outside of a dog, a book is probably man’s best friend. Inside of a dog, it’s too dark to read. – Groucho Marx
"To err is human: To forgive, canine."- Anonymous
Whosoever loveth me loveth my hound. - Sir Thomas More
Scratch a dog and you'll find a permanent job. - Franklin P. Jones
If you are a dog and your owner suggests that you wear a sweater. . . suggest that he wear a tail. - Fran Leibowitz
Some days you're the dog; some days you're the hydrant. – Unknown
A dog teaches a boy fidelity, perseverance, and to turn around three times before lying down. - Robert Benchley
We give dogs time we can spare, space we can spare and love we can spare. And in return, dogs give us their all. It's the best deal man has ever made. -- M. Acklam
The reason a dog has so many friends is that he wags his tail instead of his tongue. – Anonymous
A dog is the only thing on earth that loves you more than he loves himself. – Josh Billings
There is no psychiatrist in the world like a puppy licking your face. – Ben Williams
Don’t accept your dog’s admiration as conclusive evidence that you are wonderful. – Ann Landers
No one appreciates the very special genius of your conversation as the dog does. – Christopher Morley
If a dog will not come to you after having looked you in the face, you should go home and examine your conscience. – Woodrow Wilson
The great thing about a dog is that you can make a fool of yourself in front of him and not only will he not scold you, but he will frequently make a fool of himself too. - Unknown
Cats
Kittens are born with their eyes shut. They open them in about six days, take a look around, then close them again for the better part of their lives. - Stephen Baker
Cats motto; No matter what you’ve done wrong, always try to make it look like the dog did it. – Unknown
Meow is like aloha - it can mean anything. - Hank Ketchum
"No matter how much cats fight, there always seems to be plenty of kittens." - Abraham Lincoln
"There is no snooze button on a cat who wants breakfast." – Unknown
Cats invented self-esteem; there is not an insecure bone in their body." - Erma Bombeck
Dogs and Cats
Women and cats will do as they please, and men and dogs should relax and get used to the idea. – Robert Heinlein
When it comes to the advantages of cats versus dogs, there is no competition. Try going away for a weekend, leaving your German Shepherd alone with a bowl of dry food, some water, and a litter box." - Robert Stearns
Cats are smarter than dogs. You can't get eight cats to pull a sled through snow. - Jeff Valdez
No animal should ever jump up on the dining room furniture unless absolutely certain that he can hold his own in the conversation. – Fran Lebowitz
The greatness of a Nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated. – Gandhi
An animal’s eyes have the power to speak a great language.” -- Martin Buber
Wildlife
Wild thing…you make my heart sing. – The Troggs
Born to be wild. -- Steppenwolf
No one in the world needs a mink coat but a mink. – Murray Banks
I realized that if I had to choose, I would rather have birds than airplanes.” -- from aviator Charles Lindbergh just before his death
Other
Be kind whenever possible. It is always possible. – the Dali Lama
"Teaching a child not to step on a caterpillar is as valuable to the child as it is to the caterpillar." ~Bradley Millar
