We got Poppy in the spring of 2021. Our dog Margot seemed like she really wanted a companion, so we went to the Ranch and it was love at first sight with Poppy. We drove down from southern Oregon every weekend for a month while we waited for her spay appointment to be completed. When we finally brought Poppy home, the dog who was so easygoing and composed at the shelter changed immediately. She became hyperactive and problematic toward our other dog. We brought in a trainer, we called the Ranch for suggestions, we even got to the point where we emailed to say we didn’t think this was going to be a good fit for our family because of the stress on our other dog. Our email got lost in the insanity of the 2021 summer fires that burdened the Ranch with many dogs. And we are so glad that it did. Over time we learned that Poppy was experiencing extreme anxiety – not deeper behavioral issues. Where training methods struggled, she was more receptive to simple acts of love. She didn’t always need to learn a new skill or be provided with mental stimulation. Rather, she needed to be held and kissed and talked to in a comforting voice. The Rule of 3’s for bringing home new dogs was more a rule of 6 (or even 9) for Poppy. But she blossomed when she was met with unconditional love, instead of just frustrated training attempts. Poppy is a vital part of our family now and her behavior has greatly changed since we first brought her home. In fact, she’s our “easy” dog now – ha!
I share this story because I think it’s important for people to know that adoption is not always easy. Dogs are like
people – you may encounter (at some point) behavioral issues, illness and disability, quirks, etc. Being realistic about this will equip your whole family to be better prepared for when struggles arise. And remember that the answer is often just love and reassurance. Those go a long way for rescued babies. We are deeply grateful that the Ranch helped us find our Poppy, and that they remained supportive of our family post-adoption. I can’t think of a better shelter to support.
~ luca
