Animal People:
Sheena Parveen
NBC 7 San Diego Meteorologist
Meteorologist Sheena Parveen forecasts the weather for San Diegans on NBC 7 each morning and showcases adoptable dogs who are looking for new families. What viewers may not know is how strong her passion is for animals and the deep connection she has with rescue dogs! Sheena shared what her furry friends mean and the impact they’ve had on her life:
How has your relationship with animals evolved over the years?
Seeing shelter animals over the years, and knowing the story behind why some are in the shelter, has impacted the way I view animal ownership. Animals are innocent and rely on a good owner to have a good life. Some of the stories of these innocent animals are heartbreaking, and it makes you more compassionate to know they fully rely on us to be good human beings to them.
Are there animals who have made a lasting impact on your life?
I had 2 dogs: Bella, a 14 year-old black lab, and Kimberly, a 5 year-old African Village Dog. Unfortunately, I recently lost my sweet Bella. She was the most perfect dog I could ever ask for... Bella made a huge impact on my life. She’s moved about 10 times with me, and she’s been the one constant in my life for the past 14 years. I found her when I was in college, as a stray puppy running down the highway. She was flea infested and had a horrible case of mange, which caused most of her fur to be missing. She was the happiest puppy despite her circumstances. I decided to keep her immediately and give her the life she deserved. I’ve always had a soft spot for animals since I was a little girl.
What have your dogs brought to your life?
They make me feel loved and they get me out of the house! My dogs love going on walks and they expect to walk a couple times a day. If it wasn’t for them, I may not go outside as much some days. The walks I take my dogs on are not only good for them, but therapeutic for me as well. And just something as small as hugging my dog, will greatly improve my mood. Especially Kimberly, because she’s the super affectionate one!
Both of my dogs have been there for me, whether they knew it or not. They’ve cheered me up, given me companionship when I needed it, and taught me a lot about myself and how I handle certain situations. They know when you’re sad, they know when you’ve helped them, and they love you unconditionally. I have a bond with my dogs that only other animal lovers will understand.
Why is adoption and animal rescue so important to you?
I rescued both of my dogs. Bella was a stray who I found her on the street, and Kimberly was a stray wild dog in Africa. It’s important to adopt because there are too many dogs who need homes right now, and who are in the shelter, and they need love and companionship too. They are innocent and they aren’t in the shelter by choice.
I show a shelter pet every day during our morning show who needs a loving home. I hope that someone will see it and decide to welcome that homeless pet into their family.
Published: March 22, 2021
