A shelter dog wishes for a forever home
By Susan Claire
Special to The Star-Herald
I’m just an average middle-aged guy. I have a non-descript tannish brown coat, I’m carrying a few extra pounds and going a little prematurely gray around the muzzle. I’ve lived here at the shelter for the past two weeks. It’s not so bad, the food is decent and the people are pretty nice. I know it’s only temporary until some nice family sees my inner beauty and decides to take me home to live with them. I really can’t wait to be in a family again; my last one was great. Too bad when they moved they thought it was best for me to come here and find a new family. I really miss them.
Here comes a young family now. The little boy looks like he would be a fun playmate. Hey, pick me, I love to fetch and I’ll drop the ball right at your feet! Looks like his Mom and Dad are expecting another addition. Maybe they’re trying to find a companion for Junior so he doesn’t notice all the attention they’ll be paying to the new baby. I can keep him company and look after him while they dote on the new one. And since I’m 5 years old, I’m really very little trouble — I’m past all that crazy puppy stuff. I’m not trying to prove anything, I just want to be a good dog in a warm, safe home.
Oh, no, they just walked right past my kennel to look at the litter of puppies. Mom sure has a lot on her hands with Junior and the baby-to-come. I bet she’s not going to want to potty train a puppy. Does she realize all the bending down and late-night walks she’ll be doing with a pup that young? In a few months, right around the time that baby comes, those cute little Labrador puppies will be big, rambunctious adolescents. I hope the family can make the time to socialize and exercise the puppy. Speaking of exercise, a Labrador Retriever pup is going to be taking them for a walk. I hope they have sensible shoes and strong shoulders. Now they’re asking to see the puppies in the consultation room. Those puppies sure are cute. One of them will probably wiggle their way right into their hearts.
I think I’ll just take a little nap here in my cage. Someone is sure to come by soon to see me. Oh, wait, I see the family is outside the room and discussing something in earnest. Little Junior is crying; one of the puppies knocked him down! Those youngsters are so full of themselves, they never think of how delicate the young humans are. I hope he isn’t hurt. Dad’s wiping his eyes and bending down to talk to him. Mom is shaking her head no, and now the adoption coordinator is returning the puppies to their cage. They’re coming back through for a second look! Here’s my chance to make a big impression. I’m going to give them all the signals that I’m a good choice. I’m running to the front of my kennel to greet them, my whole body is wagging, I’m so happy. Dad’s noticing me, and I’m making eye contact with him. My mouth is open in a big happy grin. If they can’t tell that I’m a friendly, sociable boy after that display, then they don’t know doggy body language! I’m so happy to see them, I want to jump up, but I’m going to sit instead to impress them! Junior is laughing and trying to pet me through the cage. I licked his fingers and he giggled some more. I think he likes me. I’m sitting real nice and polite and Mom just said to Dad that I seem like a nice, calm dog. Yay!
Oh, no they’re moving on to the next kennel. They’re passing Chloe, the schnauzer’s cage now. She’s barking and leaping four feet into the air over and over again. Don’t pick that one, she’ll need a lot of training. Good, they kept going. Now they’re in front of Toby’s cage. Poor Toby, he’s scared of everything. They’re all trying to coax him, but he’s hiding in the back and won’t come to the front to meet them. They just stopped in front of Mia the Weimaraner. She sure is pretty. Her last owner ran marathons and took her on morning jogs. I really can’t see this family doing that. Little Paco the Chihuahua is trying to figure out if he wants to say hi to Junior or not. Uh, oh, Junior rushed at the cage and Paco growled at him. Mom and Dad are talking to the staff again and pointing this way. Here comes the adoption coordinator. He’s opening my cage with the key and I’m going to the room to meet my potential new family. Here’s my big chance. As I walk into the room, Mom says, “Hi Max. Are you a good boy?” I’m wagging my tail as hard as I can, and curving my body toward them. I look up into her eyes and sit for her to pet me. “Wow, he’s a nice dog,” she says. Dad adds, “He’s not the most beautiful dog in the place, but…” And just as he does, I go over to Junior and put my head in his lap. As he pets me I quietly lick his hand. “He likes me, Dad. I want this one.” I think they can finally see that I am the perfect dog for their family.
Fireworks frighten pets
What a beautiful summer we have been having! I hope many were able to enjoy the Potato Blossom Festival in Fort Fairfield recently and take in the many activities that took place. Although the Pet Show was postponed one day due to rain, there was a great turnout the next evening. Our Shelter Manager, Betsy, hosted the event and was so pleased with the many beautiful pets that showed up and walked away with blue ribbons. The proceeds from the show were donated to help with the care of our “4-legged” residents.
The grand finale of the festival was the incredible display of fireworks over the Aroostook River. As I made my way up on top of the dike to enjoy a front-row seat, I was surprised and somewhat upset to see someone had actually brought their very large dog with them. I can’t for the life of me understand why someone would do this. The fireworks display was amazing, but very loud and continuous booms for over 15 minutes. My heart broke to think of how scared that dog must have been. Please consider leaving pets at home when attending activities that can be upsetting and scary for them. Pets are much happier in the safety of their own home.
Right now we have many dogs up for adoption and hopefully the “right” family can be found for each one. Stop by the Central Aroostook Humane Society, 26 Cross St., Presque Isle; our hours are from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Tuesday through Saturday, closing 12 to 12:30 p.m. for lunch. You can also check us out at www.centralaroostookhumanesociety.org or on Facebook.
