Yesterday we went to a local pet store to volunteer at a Lost Dog and Cat Rescue Foundation adoption event. Volunteers are paired with a dog and we walk around outside the store waiting for some folks to come check them out and maybe take them home. I’ve never had a dog so I was a bit nervous about how these animals would behave. I was concerned with big dogs or aggressive dogs but I think every dog was incredibly well socialized and friendly towards everyone (though not necessarily other dogs). The dog I got was Tibby, a 15 pound spaniel mix. She had the sweetest disposition, completely calm, secure, and very affectionate. She never barked the entire few hours I spent with her, even when other dogs started barking. She wasn’t scared of loud cars, young kids that came up to her, big dogs, small dogs. She was just mostly the quiet observer. I think one person even joked that she was given sedatives, she was such a cool cucumber. When I went to take a photo of her, I learned of her weakness.
Belly rubs!! When I stooped down she rolled over and that was it. She started doing it every so often. And I noticed she wasn’t sensitive to me touching her paws or anything. She didn’t seem abused. At first I was worried her calmness gave other people, especially kids, the impression that she was aloof, but when one family came by, with 3 kids, I showed them her weakness and they fell in love with her. After walking around to visit all the other dogs, they came back and said they wanted to take her home. Yay for Tibby! The father seemed reluctant because he said he was allergic but I think the rest of the family had already fallen in love. Especially the 2 girls. They carried her around like a baby and she seemed to enjoy that. I think I heard the wife telling him that there’s a 2 week trial but gosh, when they walked out of the pet store with a new pink leash, name tag, and doggy bed, I got the feeling this was a keeper. At the end of the event, on our way home, I kinda’ wished I had taken her home. She would’ve been the perfect lap dog to watch House Hunters with. I think we kinda’ bonded for the short amount of time we spent together. But I know she’ll have a better doggy life with that family than us. We’re out so many hours and with the 3 kids to shower her with affection, she’s going to be living in the lap of luxury. And given that she’s a calm & quiet dog, I think even their dad will grow to like her because he was pretty much the same way too.
The other dog we met was Houdini, a hound mix. He was about 40 pounds and also very calm and quiet. Never barked the entire time. I think due to his size, people worried that he would be harder to keep. His bio read that he needed a fenced in yard at least a 6 feet tall. Gosh, he would’ve been a nice dog to have too.
Volunteering for this was so much fun. I basically got to pet doggies and kitties all day. If I’m ever in the market for a dog, I’ll want a grown dog and I’d definitely look at these adoption events. The animals this organization handles were all rescued from about-to-be-euthanized situations. They keep them at a ranch in the sticks of Virginia and are spayed/neutered and up-to-date on their vaccinations.
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