Scout was depressed when we met--not that it was obvious. She came on all flirty and excited. Determined to impress, she had her bright eyes glued on Marsha, a dog trainer and sort-of matchmaker at the Glendale Humane Society.
Marsha said, "Her old family was moving and couldn't keep her. She knows some commands, like sit." Sure enough, upon hearing the word, Scout plopped right down. A few minutes later, Marsha brought her out for a meet and greet. You would have thought we'd been rolling in bacon fat. She licked us, jumped on us, played with us. Scout knew: we were her ticket out of that joint, but only if she played her cards right.
What she couldn't know was that there were policies. Adoptees had to like the WHOLE family, and my husband had missed the meet and greet. So we came back two days later, but Scout had given up on us by then. She sat all hunched over at the front of her cage. We put our fingers in between the wires to stroke her; we talked to her. She didn't even look at us. Finally, Marsha came. That perked her up. We went out to do the second meet and greet, and, eventually, we got the OK. Scout was ours.
On went the tags. On went the collar. On went the leash. She didn't know where she was headed, but she pulled with all her might. She was going home, and that changed everything.
Because we are so thankful for our pets, numerous bloggers are posting pet adoption stories. I invite you to post your own. In the meantime, be sure to check out Karin Bugge's article on pet adoption at Altadana.patch.com. It has links to this and other pet adoption stories.
PS: The Glendale Humane Society, in Glendale California, is a no-kill facility and a charming place to find a dog or cat.
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15 comments:
What a lucky dog! :) Happy Thanksgiving!!!
I love Scout and I wouldn't have gotten to meet her if you hadn't brought her home.
My story about Boz will be up on Saturday. We are indebted to him for making us into a family and we love him beyond words, but I'll try.
Well, durn. I posted too early I guess. I'll look for yours on Saturday, Petrea.
No kidding, wv: perro!
Susan posted on My Life With Tommy, too.
I think Karin's posting all our stuff on Patch on Friday, so it'll all work out as "I'm thankful for my shelter pet" weekend.
What a cute story! I'm so glad to know Scout is part of your family. She looks like a sweetheart.
I'm so glad that Bau brought you and Scout together! I'll have to retell my story to join the party. I'll do that on Friday or Saturday.
Scout is gorgeous. I can see that flirty thing you're talking about. I'm so happy for her and for you. And I'm looking forward to reading the other stories on Patch ~ such a great idea.
Lucky Scout and lucky you.
I'm misty-eyed. Love Scout. And love your wonderful way with words, Ms. Margaret. These stories are all so unique and wonderful.
I'm misty-eyed. Love Scout. And love your wonderful way with words, Ms. Margaret. These stories are all so unique and wonderful.
You heart-tugger, you. The first (well maybe the only) time I met Scout, she was sitting on her bum on your lap at the diningroom table. And we all gushed. She just exuded good will and happiness.
Here's another pet rescue story from Daisy. It is really worth reading, be be prepared to break your heart: http://fur-licity.blogspot.com/2010/11/you-wondered.html
Scout was lucky you passed the tests at the shelter, and it was a good thing your husband liked him and he liked your husband. Animals can get depressed if they're in cages for too long, no matter how good the shelter - the cat my son adopted had been there 6 months as she withdrew into the back of her enclosure and didn't come to the front to greet people. At first, we thought we'd got a real dud, as she hid under the furniture for many weeks, and once even disappeared for 4 entire days, and was eventually found behind the dishwasher. But once settled in, she was an amazing, intelligent and lovable pet.
I'm looking forward to meeting your Scout some day.
I love this post, Margaret. And Scout is one lucky little dog. Carrie adopted a dog from a shelter a little over a year ago and he is an awesome dog. He did not like Doug at first, but over time has really warmed up.
Thank you for posting this story and helping to spread the word on the treasures that can be found in animal shelters.
I have met the Scoutt and she is charming. Wouldn't it be great if we lived in a world where people spayed and neutered. It's kitten season here in the Highlands and I can't tell you the number of kittens running about. And once feral, most cases, always feral.
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