Looking for that Adoption Magic

From Marley’s point of view, people just don’t understand. What she’d like is a person (preferably a man) to be devoted to her in the same way that she is devoted to him. She’d like someone she could stick close to when he’s home and a safe, comfy crate to hang out in when he’s gone. Maybe a few long walks to sniff stuff, a few treats after she sits when asked, and a couch to snuggle on during movie marathons.

She’s a pretty simple girl.

What she doesn’t want is a home with children. Children are scary to her. Probably because for the first five years of her life, the years when her understanding of the world was solidified, she rarely encountered them. There were none in her house, and none that interacted with her on a regular basis.

To Marley (and many dogs), children are scary. Their movements are unpredictable. They can be loud, grabby, and want things from her that she doesn’t understand. Children are closer to her size and often stare right into her eyes (a signal of hostility when coming from a person or animal a dog doesn’t know). And a lot of kids have never been taught how to safely interact with dogs.

I don’t know what Marley’s first six years of life were like. We always get a story from people returning, and this one was an old one. They were a busy household and didn’t have time for Marley.

That’s not a new excuse. Any shelter or rescue worker can tell you that’s one they hear too often. I won’t jump on my soapbox and talk about how I feel about that or what the word commitment means. The situation is what it is for Marley (and for too many dogs).

When Marley joined this foster household last spring, I figured she’d be here a while. Not because there was anything wrong with her (she got along fine with all of us, was easy to have around, and after a respectful introduction, did fine with the other foster dogs). The reason I figured she’d be here a while was because she was likely almost 7 years old. Most families are not looking to adopt an older dog. They come with potential health issues and a limited number of ‘good’ years.

But I was thrilled when a wonderful family chose her. They took her home and did everything right to help Marley adjust. For the first few months things went well. Marley was loved and in a good home. Her new family loved her and gave her the best of care. When they ran into a few issues involving Marley’s fear of their elementary aged children, I gave them suggestions and they tried all of them. For Marley, though, the fear was too strong and she acted out growling and barking (NOT biting). She took to chewing and scratching herself out of frustration and anxiety. The situation was growing worse not better, so they made the smart, but heartbreaking decision to return Marley.

I am sad for them and sad for Marley, but I know it was the right thing to do.

And now we will do the right thing for Marley. We will care for her and love her and hope that another family, maybe one that is all adults will decide to adopt her. I know, especially given the current adoption climate in this country, that finding her a home is a long shot. Despite all the good things about Marley – she’s loving, perfectly housebroken, crate-trained, non-demanding, smallish (40 pounds), and adorable with one blue eye and a curly tail—still she may be here with us for a while.

But I hold out hope for the ‘adoption magic’ that I’ve seen happen time and again. Here’s what Marley is looking for (just in case you’ve got some of that magic in your pocket or your heart):

A quiet home with only adults, preferably with at least one male caretaker (she likes everyone, but seems to fall especially hard for men!). A fenced yard would be lovely but isn’t necessary. No cats (we don’t know it for a fact but would guess she might chase them) and no children living there. She’s fine seeing them occasionally, though, especially older, calmer children. If there is another dog, it needs to be a mellow dog that won’t have big expectations of Marley (she’s never lived full time with another dog but has been fine with dogs here after a respectful introduction).

That’s it. She’s a simple girl, and she deserves a home of her own. While she enjoys hanging with me in my office, she spends most of her days/nights in a large crate. Luckily, she tolerates this well, but I want better for her.

If you, or someone you know is interested in adopting Marley, click here for the application to adopt through the Humane Society of Shenandoah County. (Part of her adoption fee is sponsored.)

And please don’t forget: We still have two adorable puppies waiting for forever homes! Ring Ding and Kandykake are ten week old hound (probably Plotthound) puppies who are microchipped, up to date on shots, and ready to go home today. Click this link to apply to adopt.

Krimpet (Snack Cake Pup mama) is available for adoption and will be ready to go home in February!

And Gracie Lou is living in another foster home, but still dreaming of a home of her own.

Because I have so many dogs in foster care, I created their own Facebook page, Adoptable Dogs in Shenandoah County. I hope you’ll give it a ‘like’ and refer people to it who might be looking for a dog. I will keep it up to date with the current information and adoption links for all the dogs I’m currently fostering.

If you’re local, Marley and I will be speaking at the Woodstock Library this Thursday January 18, 7-9pm (hopefully, I won’t be talking that long!). Come out and see us!

Until Each One Has a Home,

Cara

For information on me, my writing, and books, visit CaraWrites.com.

If you’d like regular updates of all our foster dogs past and present, plus occasional dog care/training tips, and occasional foster cat updates (!) be sure to join the Facebook group, Another Good Dog.

And if you’d like to know where all these dogs come from and how you can help solve the crisis of too many unwanted dogs in our shelters, visit WhoWillLetTheDogsOut.org and subscribe to our blog where we share stories of our travels to shelters, rescues, and dog pounds.

If you can’t get enough foster dog stories, check out my book: Another Good Dog: One Family and Fifty Foster Dogs . Or its follow up that takes you to the shelters in the south One Hundred Dogs & Counting: One Woman, Ten Thousand Miles, and a Journey Into the Heart of Shelters and Rescues.