Sam was a yellow lab/shar pei mix that came to us from Animal Control in Staten Island. Their shelter was full and they were going to euthanize him and another dog named Tickles. Did we have room, they inquired? We, of course, are always full. There are more dogs needing rescue than people adopting but sometimes we are able to raise the funds to pay for two extra cages in boarding and that is what we did for Tickles and Sam.
The day they came in, I found Sam to be shy but friendly. His tail was between his legs and he stood there quivering. I eased him into the shelter and brought him back to the cage we set up for him. He looked at me with uncertainity but followed me in. I left him alone to examine the comfy bed and new chew toys I had left for him.
Tickles was more outgoing. She covered my face with kisses and was very excited to be at our shelter. It was like she knew she was safe. She somehow knew she had escaped an early death.
When I was leaving for the night I made an extra stop to Tickles and Sam’s cages. They were both on their beds all curled up. I had already turned the lights out so I couldn’t see them too well. I went into their cages and sat with them for a moment and pet them, telling them everything was okay now.
I never dreamed that either of them would be a “hard adoption.” Sam was a cute lab mix and though he was scared, he was calm and friendly. Tickles was an adorable dog and though some people have prejudices against pits and pit mixes she was extremely freindly and outgoing, full of love and charm. Plus she was only 35 lbs and very short. The smaller dogs are easier to place in the city where many people live in cramped spaces.
However as the days wore on, Sam’s fear kept him from trusting new people. He was very in tune to body language and if someone leaned over him the wrong way or stared too hard, he felt he had to protect himself. His sensitivity to this suggests he may have been abused in his previous home. This broke our hearts and we were determined to do everything we could to help him. We took him to obedience classes. The first time I took him he refused to go down stairs. In fact he was petrified of them! It took me 15 minutes to get him down the steps to the class.
Another volunteer named Donna fell in love with Sam and continued classes with him. He picked up commands very easily and he mastered “sit’, “stay”, “come” and “down” very easily. He graduated the beginners class without a problem. However he didn’t do as well in his CGC class. Because he was very afraid of some strangers it was difficult for him to accept the touch of a stranger during certain tests for the CGC.
Sam seemed to withdraw more and more. Fewer and fewer volunteers were willing to walk him. People became afraid of him. With the volunteers and staff who knew him and who he trusted he was a loveable, playful puppy. He loved playing fetch, practicing his commands and just cuddling on your lap. But the people he didn’t know or trust saw him differently. “That dog will never get adopted!” someone once said.
But at Bobbi and the Strays we never say never! We never gave up on Sam. We continued to work with him and advertise him. We were committed to finding him the right home
Not long after, Sam’s angels came to meet him. They were a lovely couple that lived in Westchester county. They just moved to a home with a spacious grassy yard. They loved hiking in the beautiful Rockefeller State Perserve and planned to take their new dog with them. It seemed an ideal life for Sam.
When they came to meet Sam, Sam loved them right away. He trusted them right on the spot and they didn’t let him down. They wanted to adopt him! It surely was the happiest day of his life so far!
We knew that there would be an adjustment period and Sam’s new parents understood. He was always good with them and showed them nothing but love and gratitude. He can still be weary of some strangers but they continue to work with him to build his confidence.
The happiest moment for us was getting updated photos of Sam in his new home. He looked like a different dog. So happy and relaxed! The weight of the world seemed to be lifted off his shoulders!
Here are some photos that his new parents have sent to us. Doesn’t he look wonderful?
Meanwhile Tickles, the petite outgoing pit mix is still at our shelter. This completely baffles us because she is an adorable, well behaved dog. She goes out on day trips with volunteers sometimes who say she is great. She is housebroken, walks well on the leash, loves learning basic commands and playing with her toys. When I took her to Rockaway Beach a couple of times she was so happy to be there. She loved sniffing the sand and she stood at the waters edge taking in the salty air and the scenery. She doesn’t give us any problems at the shelter. Its heartbreaking for us to see her stare out through the cage bars when we put her back in the cage for the night. She seems to be wondering, “Why hasn’t anyone come for me?”
Recently a volunteer made a video of Tickles in hopes that it would help her find a home. Please click here to watch her video: Tickles still needs a home!
We know that just like with Sam, there is a home out there for Tickles. We just have to find it! Please spread the word about this wonderful dog so soon we can post updated photos of her happy and relaxed in her new home as we did with Sam.
To adopt or foster Tickles please email Adopt@bobbicares.org
For more info on this wonderful dog please see her bio on our website: Tickles Adoption Page
Here are the most recent photos of the beautiful Tickles taken at our shelter.
