Home for the Holidays
It's been a while since I've added to our blog. The Oakdale Shelter has been going through some changes. Officer Jim decided 20 years with Animal Services was enough, and he applied for retirement. Two new officers were in line as replacements for the two vacant positions. It's been a couple of months of new staff learning the ropes, and lots of reorganization and procedural revisions. Welcome to new officers Kelly and Janiece.
All three of us were out to walk dogs today: Ann, Edith and I. Several dogs had been adopted earlier in the week but the shelter was still full with only 2 outside kennels vacant. We noticed that the elderly, blind cocker was no longer there, and neither were the two wild cattle dog youngsters. We called them Bronco and Billy, because they were so difficult to take out on a walk. The kennels were immediately filled. No room at the inn.
We were hopeful that Joey, the extremely shy, timid 5 year old neutered male Kelpie mix, would get adopted today. A woman had inquired about him after seeing his listing on Petfinder. She said she would show up at 10am. We were keeping our fingers crossed. He was one of our two hard-to-adopt dogs. Joey was so scared and timid when he first came to the shelter about 2 1/2 weeks ago that he shivered in the corner of the kennel, and would tried to get away from us when we approached him. He's become one of my favorites, and 2 days ago he finally wagged his tail for the very first time. He walked beautifully on a leash and we all felt if only someone would be patient and gentle with him, he had great potential as a loyal pet.
We've all been worried about Blondie, a terrified senior pomeranian, who would be so scared when someone picked her up she would lose control over her bowels. She was surrendered by the family of an elderly woman who could no longer care for her. Blondie was skinny and covered with fleas. She also had a lump on her back that would need attention. Her chances of getting out of the shelter alive were slim to none. And her terror from being at the shelter hadn't subsided with time. I'd listed her as "URGENT!" on her Petfinder listing and we had several inquiries but no one wanted to take on a dog with so many problems. A man from San Francisco had emailed and sounded interested, but it was a 2 hour drive to the shelter. Would he show up today? If Blondie wasn't adopted today, she would most certainly be euthanized.
At 10am on the dot, Kristy showed up to meet Joey. She explained that she had adopted her other dog exactly one year plus one day ago. Joey was his usual timid self, but it was pretty clear, he liked Kristy and she took to him right away. In less that 30 minutes, the paperwork was done, Joey was wearing his new red collar, and he hopped into the car for the ride to his new home.
Joe called on my cell phone to say that he and a friend were just leaving San Francisco. They should arrive at the shelter about 1pm. He wanted to see if he could arrange to take Blondie home today and have his own vet take care of her spay and other medical needs. Kelly would be the one to authorize the arrangements.
We got all the dogs walked and I helped Kelly with vaccinations of several cats and kittens, plus the new dog we decided to call Gorgeous George because he is truly a "homely mutt". George has short broad face, long body, and short legs. He is so homely he is cute in his own unique way. George is a very easy going guy and if someone can look inside they will see a loving canine companion. George also has "cherry eye" in one eye that will require treatment. Kelly will check with the vet to see what the cost will be to fix it. Ann and Edith went home to finish up last minute Christmas chores.
I hung around until 1:30 but Joe and his friend hadn't shown up yet. I decided to stick around for another 15 minutes in hopes they would show up. If not I would go say my final goodbyes to Blondie. About 1:45 my cell phone rang. Joe and his friend were less than 5 minutes away. Whew! Now, will they like our little scardy cat, or be turned off because she won't run up to them ad wag her tail?
When Joe and Gary arrived I took them back to Blondie's kennel. When she saw us, she ran to the corner and huddled up trying to become invisible. As usual, she shivered and shook with fright, but did let me pick her up and fortunately didn't poop on my jacket as she had done earlier this morning. I set her on the floor and she immediately rolled over submissively on her back. Joe was able to pet her and although she was shaking, she didn't try to snap at him, which was a point in her favor. Joe sat down on the concrete floor of the shelter, scooped up Blondie and cradled her in his arms, and stroked her gently. She was still very confused and scared, but she settle down some and quit shivering. She let him feel the lump on her back, and open her mouth to check her teeth.
Joe and Gary both agreed, that Blondie just needed to be in a safe place and with time she would gain confidence and become a happy little girl. Once Joe explained to Officer Kelly what he would like to do regarding her veterinary care, she agreed that Blondie could go to her new home now, with follow-up to make sure she was spayed. Joe called the vet and set up an appointment for her on Tuesday. Yahoo! Blonde had a new home for the holidays.
I was very excited about Blondie and immediately called Ann and Edith to tell them the good news.
We won't be a the shelter for the next 2 days. When we return the day after Christmas, will the emply spaces have filled up again?