Rescue - that has never been a choice with me. It is who I am. Been involved since I was little. One day, I saw a post about a dog needing a new foster with a group I foster with (Angels Among Us). She needed a calm home. Well, I had two laidback dogs and no kids, so volunteer I did!
When I picked her up, she peed all over the foster’s husband as he carried her out. She didn’t walk, she army crawled on a leash and tried to hide. In my house, she hid in corners, under blankets, under pillows. At adoption events, she would go to the bathroom while walking there and hide the whole time. She was a ghost dog.
Yes, I worked with her and she would get better slowly. Tiny bits. People wanted her that pitied her. Nope. No one was going to adopt her out of pity. After a year and a half, I got a good app. Loved the people and, well, I cried. I’ve been fostering a long time and I don’t cry about dogs when they find a home. With her, I did. And, yes, I couldn’t let her go and yes, I did help that wonderful couple find another dog.
It took Muppet eight months to wag her tail, 22 months to want to cuddle and three years to bark. Here we are 11 years later and I adore her crazy self. She is a hoot and so opinionated and lots of sass. Give an animal time and love and they will eventually blossom. Don’t ever give up.
HENRICO, VA
