We never know how long a rescued dog will wait in our shelter before adoption. Sometimes it’s mere days; sometimes it’s much longer. But Brandy waited years. When she first arrived from Animal Control, she seemed a shoe-in for a loving home: young, people-oriented, enthusiastically friendly. Yet months passed and nobody asked for the dog with the cone-shaped ears and eager smile. If Tony hadn’t come along to offer her a foster home, she might still be waiting.
From overlooked to treasured companion
Tony had no fixed expectations when he decided to foster. He just planned to choose a rescued dog that needed a little extra love, perhaps a senior. That day, however, it was Brandy’s turn. There she was, sitting alone in her kennel. Their eyes met and Brandy came up to the fence. In Tony’s words, “It just kind of clicked.” After three years of waiting, Brandy had a foster home!
Brandy had no difficulty adjusting to her new life. She’s a fastidious dog who’s never had an accident. Not only that, she keeps her yard spotlessly tidy, preferring to do her business on her daily walks. Indoors, she’s very chill and a huge lovebug. When Tony is watching TV, Brandy will get up off the sofa and climb onto his lap for cuddles. At the same time, she’s alert and vigilant, a natural watchdog.
Outdoors, Brandy has the energy “to climb a mountain.” She can run like a deer: so swift that she crosses a hillside in seconds, bounding for sheer joy. And when it comes to squirrels, her determination truly has no limits. One whiff of her nemesis and she’s off, tailing her prey to its hole. She’ll dig tirelessly in pursuit of her quarry, chewing roots that get in her way. Her prey drive makes recall a little interesting but Brandy always comes home.
On leash, she’s well-behaved and easy to control. Staff worked with her quite a bit at Rescue Ranch, and she responds well to a confident leader. She loves to visit with Tony’s neighbors, soaking up all the attention.
Building rapport with a rescued dog
Developing genuine rapport with a rescued dog takes time. Nearly three months into the journey, Tony’s just started to feel that he and Brandy can communicate. He’s patient and accommodating of her quirks, like her leash reactivity towards other dogs. It’s a matter of knowing her limits, and having some boundaries when necessary.
One funny story is the discovery that Brandy likes water. Since she retreated to the front steps when he sprayed the yard down, Tony decided she must be afraid of it. Then one day he took her to Greenhorn Park and she walked right into the pond. The sprayer was the issue, not the water.
The longer he fosters Brandy, the harder it is for Tony to consider letting go. When he began fostering, he hoped it would be an in-and-out process. At this point, he’d only rehome Brandy if it was in her best interests. Asked to describe her ideal home, Tony says she needs room to run and lots of attention. She’d be miserable left outside without human companionship.
Tony does wish that Brandy would accept a canine buddy. That way she could have company when he’s away, and he could help another shelter dog.
Though he hasn’t decided for sure, Brandy may stay with Tony forever. And that’s exactly why the foster experience is so valuable. Fostering a rescued dog lets one enjoy the companionship while testing the waters. Getting just one dog out of a shelter and into a loving home makes a difference. That’s what it’s all about: changing the world, one life at a time.
Click here to learn more about our foster program and fill out a foster application.
