CEDAR CREEK LAKE -- The most depressing day of the week at the Humane Society of Cedar Creek Lake is Wednesday. That's the day the facility is closed to the public because it is reserved for the euthanasia of animals that are considered to be unadoptable. The determination is made by shelter officials based on the animal's age, health, personality and other factors affecting its desirability. That's a job I sure wouldn't want as I realized from a recent visit to the shelter where I got to see every puppy, kitten, dog and cat in residence. The saddest part is that a healthy, loving dog or cat might lose its life simply because it has lived at the shelter without being adopted for so long that it must be euthanized to make room for new arrivals. There is a steady stream of visitors arriving every week to inquire about relinquishing pets, not to mention the regular appearance of the animal control truck depositing strays. It is heart breaking to walk through rows of pens holding yapping, friendly dogs that are begging for attention. It almost seems like they know it could be their last day alive, and that the human standing before them might be there only chance for survival. I saw one beautiful white Schnoodle that looked at me with such soulful eyes that I felt like crying because I knew with three dogs already at home I simply couldn't adopt another one for a variety of reasons. It's a tragic and apparently unavoidable consequence that many dogs and cats must be sacrificed as pet shelter populations nationwide grow and charitable contributions and other resources dwindle as a result of our struggling economy. Contrary to popular opinion, pet shelters do not receive funding from national animal welfare societies and they depend upon their local communities' generosity for survival. During my visit to the shelter, there was one bright spot. I saw a mother and father with their two teenage children arrive and adopt two handsome, well-behaved black Rottweiler adults who were brothers. The fact is that just about any breed of dog is available through a pet shelter or rescue society. During my visit to the Cedar Creek Lake shelter I saw everything from a small Yorkie to a hulking Great Pyrenees. The same applies in the shelter's cat house. Every color and size of cat imaginable is available for adoption. Like the dogs, the cats are amazingly friendly and eager to be loved and cared for by a human again. One of the most common remarks overheard at pet shelters is "I wish that I could take them all home." I know because I always either say or hear that every time I visit a shelter. Obviously, no one can take all of them home, and even if someone did it would just fill up again. But if you have room in your heart and home for a pet this is the place to go to save a deserving animal's life. Below, I've posted a small sample of the pets available immediately for adoption. Your new best friend is waiting for you. If you can't adopt a pet, the shelter is always in need of donations and volunteers. You will feel better for the experience. The shelter's phone number is 903-432-3422.