Some adoptions are just meant to happen.
The most recent example of destiny stepping in to match a dog with an adopter involves a terrified tan and white mama dog and a long-time FOTAS volunteer.
Kali arrived at the Aiken County Animal Shelter as a stray who was found feeding her puppies under a shed. The pretty mixed breed was so skittish, she had to be caught in a trap along with one of her pups. Gaunt and weak when she arrived at the shelter, Kali showed signs of being sweet but was too scared to bond with any of the staff.
When Kali graduated to the adoption floor, she was immediately noticed by volunteer Malia Koelker.
“She was trembling in the corner of her kennel” Malia said. “So, I sat with her for an hour or so and did the same thing the next day. She started feeling more confident when I walked her and was so grateful for the attention.”
From then on, Kali became attached to Malia. Whenever the shy 5-year-old, 42-pound dog saw Malia, she would perk up and beg to be petted. Other volunteers and staff members began to teasingly ask Malia what she did that made Kali fall in love with her. Even when Kali was in playgroup, she would get distracted if she spotted Malia walking other dogs or chatting with volunteers.
But Malia kept resisting the urge to adopt Kali. She’d been a FOTAS volunteer for seven years and never adopted a dog. She and her husband, Robert, like to travel and the timing never felt right. Besides, they were still mourning their 18-year-old dog, who passed away a year ago. Why do it now?
“I’ve been tempted so many times to adopt a dog, but Kali broke my heart,” Malia said. “Whenever she saw me, she’d whine and bark. When I walked her, she’d jump up on the couch and curl right up next to me.”
As days kept going by without Kali finding a home, Malia decided to take Kali home for one night to see how she would do away from the shelter, in a quiet home. Robert was skeptical, but agreed to Kali’s visit.
“She was perfect,” Malia said. “She slept in our bed and won over our cat, Darwin. She took over one of our chairs and fit right in.”
Malia adopted Kali the next day and the timid dog who trembled and shook in her kennel is now happy and living her best life.
“She’s warming up to Robert now,” Malia said. “When we walk Kali together in the morning, she stops and waits for him if he’s lagging behind.”
Malia smiles. “I think she’s won Robert’s heart, too.”
Their lives are in our hands.
By Bob Gordon, FOTAS Communications Director
