She arrived at the County Animal Shelter terrified and hungry. Her beige coat was filthy, and fleas covered her body. But even as she was brought into the shelter’s vet clinic for examination and medical care, Jolene managed to briefly show everyone a heartwarming smile. Despite her difficult past, this pretty Pibble was full of love.
A little over four years old and only 40 pounds, Jolene paled in looks compared to some of the other, more colorful shepherds, retrievers and terrier mixes at the shelter. But her sweet eyes and gregarious personality made her a gem waiting to be discovered.
Enter Hayden Craft from Grovetown, GA. He visited Jolene at the shelter and both their lives changed forever.
“It all started when I moved to Georgia,” he explained. “I had gotten my own place, but something was missing. It always seemed empty. My brother had adopted a dog from the Aiken County Shelter, and it got me looking on the FOTAS website for a dog of my own, and I immediately became interested in Jolene.
“I took my lunch break and went up to the shelter to see her and it was love at first sight for both of us. The sweetest dog you could have ever asked for. They told me she had a heart murmur, but I couldn’t let that stop me. She deserved the best rest of her life, a forever home, with me.”
Since adopting Jolene, Hayden has seen her bloom into an amazing pet.
“She loves all other animals,” he said. “But there’s nothing she loves more than rubbing her back all over the ground and playing with stuffed toys at the same time. And for such a small dog, she takes up more of the bed than I do. I couldn’t train her to sleep on the floor If I tried!
“I thank FOTAS and Aiken County Animal Shelter every day for giving this girl a chance and giving me a chance to love her. Jolene is my first dog as an adult, and she’s so good, she makes me want another one.”
If you are ready to find your own furry BFF, please come to the County Shelter, 333 Wire Road in Aiken. There are so many more dogs and cats in need who need loving homes. To see all of our adoptable pets, check out our website: fotasaiken.org.
Their lives are in our hands.
By Bob Gordon, FOTAS Communications Director
