Rescuers: Taking the leap of faith on a shelter doodle

[Patty]

Tell me about the leap of faith you took when you pulled a doodle from the shelter and made him / her part of your pack. Did you know much about your doodle prior to adoption? Or did you take a complete leap of faith? I'd love to hear your stories.

Although my Talullah doodle is a rescue, she came from a foster home and never served "hard time" in a shelter. I once adopted a dalmatian from a shelter, and despite his partial deafness (which became complete) and stubborn nature, my husband and I fell completely in love. Any sane person would have turned around a mile out from the shelter when the dog simply wouldn't shut up. Not me, though :) We brought him home with us, we persevered through the tough moments, and we fell in love. And he never was quiet in the car!

Please tell me your stories. The wilder, the better :)

[Frannie & Callie]

Hi Patty - I think there's always a leap of faith with rescuing! I rescued Callie from a county shelter here in Atlanta and knew absolutely nothing about her. They knew nothing either...she was abandoned outside the shelter in an outdoor pen during the night. They didn't know she was a doodle...they had her listed as a standard poodle, which she very obviously wasn't (you can't blame them though - this particular shelter doesn't often get furry, friendly dogs). She's not perfect, but to me, she's the best dog in the universe. Perhaps a sane person would have taken Callie back to the shelter the night she ate a 500 count box of qtips, a shoe, the remote control, my ipod, headphones, and a some mail, but I never claimed that brand of sanity!

My last dog, also a rescue, had a lot more challenges, but I loved just the same! Rescue isn't for everyone, but when you meet the dog who is meant to be "yours" I think you know it on a deep level.

[Patty]

Oh this is making me laugh. My shoe and remote control eater sends love and doodle kisses to your Callie :)

Thanks for sharing your story!

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

I adopted Jack from a private shelter belonging to a private rescue group; it was like a spa compared to a county animal control facility...clean, comfortable, experienced staff and lots of vet care. He was owner relinquished, so there was some background info, although it was sketchy and the shelter would not give me all the information for privacy reasons. I did know his exact birthdate-he was 14 months old- and that he was originally purchased from a pet store...so, puppy mill dog. That there might be health issues was a given.
I had lost my last dog in September of 2005, just short of her 16th birthday. I had been doing volunteer work with a GSD rescue and had fostered some wonderful adult dogs. Adopting an adult dog who needed a home and who was already housebroken and past the chewing stage, good with kids, with maybe the bonus of some training, just seemed like the right thing for me. In January 2006, I started out searching Petfinder for a young adult poodle mix, preferably between 20-40 lbs. I applied for a couple of dogs, lost out on one and another one turned out to be a poor match for my household. But the shelter kept my application on file.
I almost didn't go to see Jack when they called me about him. He was too big, and I really didn't want a doodle or any large sporting breed because I didn't think I could handle the exercise requirements. But the shelter worker persuaded me that the 90 minute drive would be worth my while. Jack had been relinquished by his owner on Thursday, due to "job changed, has to travel" (right), he had been fully vetted and neutered on Friday, and I went to see him on Saturday. When he walked into the "get acquainted" room, he walked over to my grandson and put his head on his lap.
We spent two hours with him, playing ball and talking it over. He was not at all what I wanted...not just way too big, but he was oddly proportioned and had a straight scruffy coat that clearly shed. Sweet, sweet dog. Friendly, calm, wonderful with my grandson and with the "test cat", lol. But I was afraid he was too much dog for me, and I couldn't make a 12-15 year commitment that fast. I cried when they put him back in his cage, but I left without him.
For three nights, I woke up at 2 or 3 a.m. thinking about this dog, and crying. I couldn't stop thinking about him. I had seen lots of dogs in shelters, I had given up wonderful fosters, but for some reason, this dog stayed in my mind. On the third night, I realized that somebody was trying to tell me something. The next morning, I called the shelter, and he was still there...he had become despondent since I'd seen him, and had not impressed the people who had considered him since. I went to get him that night.
He was wonderful in the car, and unbelievably well mannered in my house. From the day he came home, he has never had an accident, never gone into the garbage, never counter surfed, never damaged anything, never jumped on anyone, never barked excessively, never chased the cat. He had lots and lots of fear issues though, he was poorly socialized, and he has terrible health issues.
He's mine. He was my dog from the moment I told the shelter I was coming back for him. Once I knew he was my dog, he knew it, too. Our first trainer said she had never seen an adopted adult dog bond to a new owner so quickly. We worked hard on the socialization issues. The fear issues, after four years together, are mostly a thing of the past. The health issues? Well, just let's say that I've had to readjust my budget and my priorities, and whatever he needs, he gets. He's mine - my responsibility, my commitment, my best friend, my four-legged soulmate. I wouldn't give him up for anything in this world or the next. He is the light of my life.
"Leap of faith" is exactly the right way to describe it.

[Nugget's Family]

What a great story, Karen. I took a "doodlekisses" lunch break from taking down the tree (depressing job) and I'm glad I did. Jack is a lucky dood and I'm glad your sleep was disturbed those nights when you were deciding!

Happy 2010!

Susan

[shelly]

What a great story, Karen! You two were meant to be. You're a very special person to look beyond your "expectations" of what you wanted in a dog to allow Jack into your heart! Never mind "Leap of faith" it was more like a Leap of FATE!"

[Patty]

When I started this thread today, I was on the verge of getting in the car to drive 7 hours & spring a doodle from the klink.

He had been in the shelter since mid-November. I'm happy to tell you (while being sad for myself!) he was adopted out to another family this afternoon.

I wish I had listened to the voice in my head that told me to GO on Saturday morning. But realistically, it would have been one loooooong road trip.

So I am still in the hunt, still looking for the right dog, and still very interested in all of your leaps of faith. Thanks to Frannie & Callie and Karen & Jack for sharing yours!

[Frannie & Callie]

Patty - I look at Atlanta shelters for doodles all the time! I'm not REALLY looking for a second dog but again think that when something is meant to be...

The dog you saw wasn't meant to be or he still would have been waiting for you. Ever since I got Callie, I really do believe that things work out how they are supposed to (well, sometimes anyway!). The full story is on my DK blog.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

I agree; I truly believe that the right dog finds you at the right time. Which doesn't mean you shouldn't try to meet him halfway, but when it starts feeling like something you have to "make happen", it probably isn't right. Just like our relationships with humans.
I'm glad the dog found a home, and I know you are, too, Patty. Your guy is out there, and you will find each other. What's meant to be - will be.

[Laura & Chewie]

Beautiful stories, wonderful owners, lucky dogs...it's all fate and certainly all good. Thanks for sharing.

[ClarkP]

I adopted 11 month old Thule from a one-woman private shelter / rescue. Thule (then named "Truly" - she probably just thinks we can't say our R's!) had been surrendered by her owners so I did have some information on her. I had the name of an apparent backyard breeder, pictures and a 'pedigree' of both Sire and Dam, and some vet records. I knew she had been surrendered because her owners were older and physically failing and could not take care of this holy terror of a high energy dog. They simply could not control her. I knew that most of my adoption fee was going to the original owners - they needed it. The rescue listed her on poomixrescue.com and Adina found her.

When visiting the rescue, Thule was pretty scatter brained and aloof. There were tons of other dogs there all running around together so I wasn't too worried. It was kind of like going to a crowded dog park to see your prospective dog... of course the Thule didn't care about Adina and I! And even when we took her for a walk alone, she didn't just love us to death... she was more interested in seeing everything. This worried Adina a bit. But as the owner of a Border Collie I knew how aloof she could be with most people... even though she had an amazing connection with us - her people. (Cass would rather go see everyone at a picnic than just the people that want to see her. It's kind of funny watching kids trying desperately to love on her chase after her as she goes and sees everyone and everything.) I figured Thule would bond with us and thankfully I was right. She's a doll. Sensitive, loving, and constantly happy... she's a fantastic dog.

But she had/has minor issues based on her first 11 months. She wailed like a banshee when crated (yes, I tried to introduce it to her the right way), she worked herself into a pooping frenzy initially when crated (sorry Adina), she chewed up a few shoes/books/sunglasses/headphones, you know... the usual stuff. Just last night I heard the silverware on the table clink as Thule surfed a table that had not been cleared quickly enough. She knows she shouldn't (so she's sneakier), but the reward is pretty great (we had meatloaf!), and the habit has been tough to break even though it is very infrequent now. She has learned to love her crate. It's her safe haven and where she runs when she steals something from the counter/table. :-) I sometimes think she steals stuff just because it is human food - we once saw her heading for the door with a whole head of broccoli. I can hear the conversation in her head - "Oh... I know I smelled something awesome up here on the counter... but I can't leave empty handed... and I've got to get out of here QUICKLY... so Broccoli it is. Darn. Gotta run!"

I think every rescue is a leap of faith. Some just much more than others. But if you can do it... DO IT. It's incredibly rewarding to help out these amazing dogs that through no fault of their own are in need of a good family.

Thankfully Thule is such a sweet-heart and is mostly in control now... except for her licker problem.

[Patty]

Humorous and wise words. Thanks for sharing them. And tell Thule I said NO! DOWN! Goooooooood giiiirrrrrrrrl!

[Adrianne Matzkin]

I brought Mickey into my home when he was 4 1/2 months old. He spent the first 3 1/2 months of his young life at the 'Almost Heaven' puppy mill in a crate with his standard poodle mother and 3 other siblings. the next 4 weeks he spent in a vile shelter. When I brought him home he had mange, a horrendous case of kennel cough, his ears had never been cleaned, he was 11 lbs underweight and so much more.
He never walked on grass, he never played with a toy, never been touched by kind human hands. It took 3 days for him to leave his 'safe spot' - the step outside my patio door that had a mirror sitting there (DH uses to practice his golf swing). I guess when he walked by, he saw his reflection and thought it was one of his litter mate.
With the love, time and nuturing by my Samantha, Mickey started to become alive. It took weeks for him not to pee whenever a human walked near him. It was pitiful but I could not pity him. He went to work with me everyday, we went to the little side of the dog park (once the mange started to clear up). He had no choice but to start to live.
Six weeks later, after gaining weight, learning to walk on a leash, starting to play tug, chasing a ball, submissive peeing mostly under control - Mickey went to his forever home.
App 2 weeks before Mickey went to his forever home, I knew we had to have another doodle. I saw Charli on PetFinders. It took a week but they accepted my application, I flew from NJ to Detroit, drove to Toledo to adopt her! As they say,
that's all she wrote!!!
Oh, for those who do not know, Mickey was adopted by my daughter & SIL so he is still part of my family. I have the priviledge to watch him grow both physically and emotionally. He might never be comfortable with strangers but he is truly an amazing, sweet, wonderful, snuggly, fantastic doodle! We are a lucky family!
This is a before and after picture of Mickey.