Everyone has heard the term “Perfect Fit”, right? Well in the animal shelter context it means that an animal has found the perfect place to be. And a lot of the times they are the ones to make that decision. When, in our case, a dog or cat is adopted we always hope and think it will be the right place for them. But sometimes we are wrong… the adopters can be the best there is, true animal lovers, caring people, etc. But the dog or cat just doesn’t want to be there. We will get in an animal that has been loose on the streets and we think immediately that it is the owner’s fault that they “dumped” the animal. Maybe, maybe not!! Maybe that dog or cat just didn’t like where they were. Or we have an owner that surrenders the animal with all these issues, they “mark” (if they are male), or they chew, or they “pull on a lead” when walking, or they fight with another pet or the best one they “just won’t listen” all kinds of reasons. As a shelter we always try to share what information we have with the new adopter so they aren’t surprised and can plan on how to handle these issues. Sometimes the issues don’t go away and we get the animal back.
Then the “perfect fit” happens. This year we have had several of these and the newest one was with Sierra. When she came to the shelter we heard two or three different stories. What we did know and had observed was her shyness and especially around most men. After taking her to PetSmart one Saturday and working with her she seemed to come out of it some. She was adopted to a wonderful young lady that had another sweet shelter dog. But no matter how wonderful it was Sierra decided it wasn’t what she wanted. After soul searching and even tears she was brought back.
We called a local lady that had been looking for a dog and thought maybe this was the one. She came to the shelter and said “yes”…. Last week she took Sierra home. Upon calling to check to see how it was going we found that Sierra had a “perfect fit”. She goes to friends to play with other dogs, goes to the Farmers Market, stays in the yard when gates and doors are open comes when called and is the ‘ALMOST PERFECT DOG” the “almost” is because she tends to pull when walking so now is enrolled in Doggy School. Sometimes dogs do know best!!
UPDATE 7/30/2014 – WELL WHAT WE ALL THOUGHT WAS A PERFECT FIT DIDN’T TURN OUT THAT WAY. WHAT WE ALL NEED TO REMEMBER IS THAT IT TAKES TIME, SOME TIMES LOTS OF TIME FOR THAT TO HAPPEN. ALAS SIERRA IS BACK AT THE SHELTER AND LIKE MISS KATY AND MISS MAYA SHE IS BACK WAITING FOR THAT PERSON THAT WILL GIVE HER ANOTHER CHANCE AND SPEND TIME WITH HER.
Sierra
