Quincy
|
Quincy, a Cairn
terrier with aggression issues, was 5 years old when he came to be fostered by
me and my husband. Quincy had been previously adopted twice, and then was
returned to the shelter both times. Not surprisingly, Quincy was not happy to
see me when we first met. He huddled in the corner of his kennel and just
looked at me. It seemed as though he felt I was invading his space. Each time I
visited Quincy he reacted the same way. Even though I had fostered other dogs
in the past, I wasn’t sure I could take on Quincy,
Then a friend suggested I try a new approach and bring Quincy a McDonald’s hamburger. Guess what? It worked and I had made myself a friend. I packed Quincy up and brought him home to meet my husband and family of four dogs. Quincy’s did not immediately become a gentle and docile dog. His aggression issues continued with two of our dogs as well as anyone who came to visit us. At first Quincy would find a space where he felt safe and he would defend it from any intrusion. His favorite “safe space” was the top of the couch with me sitting close. This arrangement was definite progress. Quincy’s sleeping arrangements started in a kennel in our bedroom. We left the kennel door open to give him the option of sleeping in his own space or joining my husband and me and our four dogs in the bed. Eventually he found his favorite sleeping space, which was snuggled between our pillows. Even though Quincy’s aggression issues were not completely resolved, I felt it was time for him to have the chance of finding a forever home. He was no longer a distant, mistrustful dog and had at last become a loving pet. It was time to put Quincy on Petfinder but I did so with a heavy heart because I had become quite fond of Quincy, who had stolen my heart. One day I received a call from a retired Maryland couple, Emory and Constance. They were in Minnesota helping to care for their son’s sick dog and became interested in Quincy. I talked to them at length about Quincy’s aggression issues as well as the progress he had made living with our family. They wanted to meet him but first stopped to get a McDonald’s hamburger. This first meeting wasn’t perfect but it went okay and I was sure that Emory and Constance were the perfect couple for Quincy. They assured me they would continue to work with Quincy and not give up on him. I was estatic that we had found a forever home for this special Carrin terrier. Quincy stayed with us for another couple of weeks until his adoptive parents were ready for the road trip back to Maryland. What a great opportunity for the three of them to bond. Saying good-bye was hard but I didn’t shed a tear because I knew Quincy was going to be loved by a wonderful couple. Quincy continues to be that special foster dog I love and will never forget. Emory and Constance continue to send me emails about Quincy and it does my hear good. He is enjoying the best life possible because his new parents love him unconditionally. Here’s a sample of a recent email from Quincy’s adoptive parents: Took Quincy for his walk in AM, I laughed and laughed at that funny little thing. He ran thru that snow like a bulldozer. Snow Flying off his head and muzzle like a plow, many times just leaping, often running in circles, and doing his funny antics. What fun! Snow all hanging from his fur and whiskers. He is so loved and DOES he know it!! Makes our day! He has been with us everyday, for the most part, all day, and he has been doing well. Being old folks has been good for him I guess because we are available and (two) people dote on him constantly. He is so funny, so much fun, such a delight. I was thinking today, you can take a dog out of Minnesota, but you can't take Minnesota out of the dog!! Quincy and family. |
Quincy
Life is good!
You can take Quincy out of MN, but you can't take MN out of Quincy!
Quincy and his new family
|
Molly, the Remarkable Morkie
Toby at 8 weeks old and weighing 1 pound.
Molly came from impound to the shelter in October 2014 looking a bit bedraggled. It had been a long time since she had been groomed. She had been in a fight and needed medical attention to remove her right eye. The eye was taken care of and she was healing well. She was given a haircut and a bath. But, Molly had additional challenges. She was born without a right back foot and her left back foot had only two toes. Molly did not let these minor issues keep her from being an adorable, charming, and normal dog. While awaiting her forever home, Molly hung out in the shelter office. When a large influx of puppies and dogs came to the shelter in December, it was time for Molly to move to a foster home. Molly went home with Pat, charmed Pat’s husband and settled in with their 11-year-old springer. Pat says she knew at the start that Molly had adopted them. They’ve just completed the Basic Obedience class at Key City Kennel Club. Molly’s disabilities have not kept her from running in the yard, often on only her front legs, and playing fetch. She is also great at cuddling! Molly does best at being her remarkable self and she has found her forever home with Pat, Duane, and Bessie.
