Meet Ashley Dale

Today, we’d like to introduce you to Ashley Dale. Ashley was introduced to us by the brilliant and talented Sabrina Grinstead.

Ashley, thank you so much for joining us today. We’d love for you to bring our readers up to speed – can you introduce yourself and share your story?
I’ve always lived in North Carolina. I was born in Winston-Salem, went to college in Boone, and lived in downtown Raleigh for 20 years before moving to Durham in 2017 for a good job.

I’ve always taken in and taken care of animals. I started with cats. I’d find them in downtown Raleigh, often stray basement kittens in my apartment, and help capture them: either to take them to adoption organizations I’d researched or, eventually, spay/neuter-and-release groups. I worked closely with Operation Catnip…and then it spiraled from there!

At most I’ve probably had 14 dogs living with me, a mix of my own and fosters. Fostering is so incredibly rewarding. Sometimes it’s sad to see the animals go, knowing you’ll never see them again. But I keep in touch with many of their pet parents with holiday cards or Facetime.

I’m retired from fostering now. Of course I’ve had infamous “foster fails.” Lots of North Carolina foster dogs leave to go up north, to northeastern states like New York and New Jersey. My foster pup, Peanut, left to go up north, and I just knew when I handed him off that I shouldn’t be doing that. Peanut was depressed, and I cried for three days. I quickly moved to adopt him officially and brought Peanut right back!

Happily I work from home, which gives me plenty of time and flexibility to look after all my rescue fur babies. I have 12 dogs at present. Some are previous fosters staying with me temporarily for attention and care. I have a few core friends, but I like to say I don’t have a social life. The dogs take up every bit of my energy and finances!

That’s my choice. If the animals weren’t here with me, they could be euthanized. Once you accept you’re going to foster, you’re not going to let the animals be put to sleep. It’s a commitment to help them find the best life possible.

My dog, Parker, is full of BBs. He was shot by a BB gun. It’s about getting animals out of whatever predicament they’re in and getting them to feel safe. I feel good my animals aren’t in a bad situation, like being neglected or getting no interaction.

I love all the laughing I do with my dogs. They crack me up so much! I look over and they’re cleaning each other’s faces or cuddling. Growing up I had pets, but it was different back then. Pets were all outdoors, no fence. My first two dogs were hit by delivery trucks. Now there’s been a shift in taking care of pets. It’s not “just a dog” but part of the family. I’ve always felt like that.

Let’s talk about your work and career – what else should we know?
I got my degree in print production management and graphic arts in 1988 from Appalachian State University. My career is broadcast sports production. In 2019 my team and I actually won an Emmy Award for our screen graphics for the Super Bowl. I’m so proud of that. And I watch sports completely differently now! The best thing about my job is the people I work with; they’re super awesome. That and working on something for a long time and then seeing it on TV working right and looking good…it makes all the long hours worth it.

Eno Animal Hospital has been a great friend to us and I know you’ve got a great relationship as well. Maybe you can tell our audience a bit about Eno Animal Hospital and your experience with them.
My first experience with Dr. Grinstead was by chance. I was picking up a dog to take to a rescue organization, and Eno Animal Hospital had done the neuter. A friend from a local rescue told me lots of folks use Eno Animal Hospital. Dr. Grinstead is willing to work with shelter and rescue organizations for discounted care, especially spaying and neutering.

Eno is the only vet I’ve ever been to in Durham. I’ve never thought about going anyplace else. Every time I go into Eno, it’s really nice. They’re my kind of people.

Charles [senior vet assistant]: I can’t tell you enough good things about that guy. He’s fantastic. His knowledge and compassion: He knows a lot about procedures and medicine and explains things really well. I have a lot of older dogs and get nervous, especially with them going under anesthesia. He makes me feel at easy explaining everything.

Everyone helped me take care of Tuna (an 8-year-old Chihuahua mix) when she had cancer. Dr, Grinstead always asked about her, was always coming up to check in with me whenever I was there [when it wasn’t her appointment]. Everyone leapt in to help. Team members sat with me when we euthanized her. (Tuna was humanely euthanized at Eno Animal Hospital on March 8, 2023.) Charles is always stopping and asking how I’m doing.

One of the things that strikes me is seeing more and more people coming in to the vet. It’s better care. They’re coming to do acupuncture and all kinds of things. Everyone at Eno is very kind, compassionate, and really tries to help. You can tell they care.

Website: https://www.enoanimalhospital.com/

Instagram: @enoanimalhospital

Facebook: @enoanimalhospital

Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/eno-animal-hospital-durham

Image Credits
Eno Animal Hospital