Thursday, January 12, 2012

Introducing Charlie Scaredy-Dog

Recently a no-kill shelter in a very rural area of the state asked for some help in moving out some of their dogs. They were willing to give other shelters and rescues their most adoptable dogs, but I decided I would rather help with a harder to adopt dog.  I picked out Charlie, a mixed breed dog who has been at the shelter longer than any other resident.


Charlie is now in a home for the first time ever.  He'd been living in the shelter since 2007, and has never experienced being a pet dog before.  He barks like crazy at the television because he can't understand where the people on TV are coming from.  He is scared of people and loud noises and new places.  He was very well cared for in the shelter, but in a place with so many dogs, and so few adopters, he wasn't lucky enough to get a home before now.  So Charlie is now here, and learning about being a pet dog for the first time.  He is great with the other dogs, and does okay with the cats too.  He will start going to adoption events and training classes every week so he can learn that other places aren't so scary.  And hopefully soon he'll find a home with a patient adopter who is willing to give him the time he needs to adjust.


There are many more dogs like Charlie waiting in no-kill shelters around the country.  Foster homes make a huge difference in the lives of these dogs because they can teach them about living in a home and help them prepare for an adoptive home.  I hope to get a second dog from this shelter this weekend, and several of our foster volunteers also took dogs from this shelter.  We usually take in dogs that are going to be euthanized, but it's nice to be able to help these dogs who were safe but don't have as much of a chance at being adopted.

Ziggy is still out on his trial adoption.  And Allie is meeting some potential adopters on Saturday, so hopefully she'll go to her new home and that will open up space for another foster.

12 comments:

How Sam Sees It said...

Poor guy - I'm glad you got him. Good luck with finding his forever home!

Sam

Casey Jones' Mom said...

I have faith in you. Give him a week or so and he'll be snoozing on the couch with you.

Susan Blatz said...

What a wonderful thing you did for this guy, the first good chance he has ever had, no doubt.
He is a cute.
I have had good results using the "Anxiety Wrap/Thundershirt" with fearful dogs. It may help calm him some.

Unknown said...

I'm so happy this guy is getting a glimpse of what life can really be like.

Frankie Furter and Ernie said...

CONGRATULATIONS TO CHARLIE AND TO ZIGGY!!! Over two weeks and counting fur Ziggy!!

Unknown said...

So happy that Ziggy and Charlie are learning about life in homes whether they be forever or foster

Anonymous said...

Thank you, thank you for taking in Charlie. I can't believes he was in the shelter for FOUR YEARS! Ohmidogness. I can't hardly even imagine! But I DO know what it's like to live in a house for the very first time ever and it's kinda hard at first. It does take some time to get used to everything but then...ahhhhhhh! It's HEAVEN!

And YAY for Ziggy! My paws are still crossed for him that this all works out.

Wiggles & Wags,
Mayzie

Just Jess for now said...

Oh my goodness. He was there for basically five years? Poor guy. It's awesome that you gave him a chance. :)
Good luck to Allie and continued good luck to Ziggie. :)

JacksDad said...

Good luck to Charlie finding a new home!!

pibble said...

He's really a good looking pup. And, he's in the best place to come out of his shell and learn to trust. You're wonderful to take in the difficult ones - it's exactly who I would have picked!

Purrfect Haven said...

good news, we hope he settles well and is soon found his own home... Love Helen, Darcy and Bingley xxx

Shane Kent Louis said...

Welcome to the family were glad that you have come! :D I'm happy to meet you here ;D



--------------------------------
It's all About Pet Fences | Dog Fence