Tag Archives: Adoption

2021, Adoption, Bully Dogs, Chained dogs, Dogs, FOTAS, News, Pibbles, SOCIAL MEDIA

Hilde: One Special Shelter Dog Who Finally Found Her Dream Home

Posted on by Bob Gordon
26
Jan

In the seven years since the new Aiken County Animal Shelter opened, thousands and thousands of dogs have passed through its doors. Dogs of every shape, size, age, condition, breed, and mix of breeds—we’ve seen them all. So, it’s unusual for a particular dog to be indelibly imprinted into my mind (other than my own beloved rescues), but there is one—a beautiful blonde, golden-eyed, pit bull mix named Hilde, who first came to the shelter in 2016.

Hilde and her big, goofy smile.

Hilde was a volunteer and staff favorite, a 55-pound, people-lover with a big, goofy smile. Yet, by the end of January 2017, she held the unfortunate distinction of being the longest canine resident at the shelter. It was a mystery why someone hadn’t scooped up this bundle of love, but day after day, potential adopters walked past her kennel without a second look. After a while, the inevitable stress of shelter life took its toll on Hilde; the light began to fade from her eyes.

FOTAS leaped into action. We initiated Doggie Day Out for Hilde (a program still in effect today), packed her in a car, took her downtown, and paraded her through stores and coffee shops. We wrote about her and marketed her on social media. She spent weekend Doggie Overnights with Kelly, one of our volunteers.

Hilde being loved on by one of her little peeps.

Finally, our efforts paid off. A young family came to the shelter specifically to meet her, fell in love, and adopted her. For months, the family sent us photos of Hilde and the kids, snuggled up on the couch, stretched out on the bed. We were thrilled and relieved. Hilde had a home.

Imagine our horror when, a year later, the Lexington County Animal Shelter notified the shelter (thanks to her microchip) that Hilde had been picked up as a stray—weak, starving, flea-bitten, and terrified. One of the staff immediately hopped in the van to pick her up. When she saw her old friends at the shelter, her tail thumped with joy. We cried—shocked by her condition and profoundly touched by her recognition.

What happened? We never found out. Her “dream” family was not responsive to our calls. Time to start over. First order of business: get Hilde healthy. Second, find her a forever home—this time for real.

It took some time, but Hilde’s a survivor. She got lots of medical attention, exercise, and affection, plus weekends off with her pal, Kelly. When she was ready, we wrote another article about her. Enter Kathy and Greg Bowman. It was a match meant to be.

Hilde shares her toys with her human sister.

But Kathy’s daughter? Not so much. She was worried. A pit bull mix? Would her kids—Kathy’s grandkids—be safe? It didn’t take long to convince her of Hilde’s inherent gentleness and her love for people, particularly children. She witnessed it firsthand: her kids loving on an ecstatic Hilde, snuggled up together on the bed, napping happily away, romping through the yard.

Finally, after all these years and misadventures, Hilde has found her forever home. She deserves it. She even has her own Instagram page: Hilde the Rescue Dog. Check it out!

Godspeed, Hilde. Godspeed.

Their lives are in our hands.

–By Joanna D. Samson, FOTAS Vice President

Hilde fast asleep on Christmas day 2019
2020, Adoption, Bully Dogs, Dogs, News, Pibbles

Christmas Miracle: Fate Brings Family and Dogs Together

Posted on by Bob Gordon
28
Dec

Sometimes things happen that cannot be explained. My wife, Jennifer, and I recently experienced such an event.

About 15 months ago we adopted Meadow, a white Pitbull mix, from the Aiken County Animal Shelter. We had just lost our favorite dog and wanted to honor him by adopting a dog from the shelter that nobody wanted. Meadow was about 5 years old and overbred. Everyone passed her kennel at the shelter without even looking at her.

We were concerned how our two male dogs would respond to a new female dog entering their lives. We also have horses and didn’t know how Meadow would react to them.

Meadow (left) and Chloe are best buddies.

The dogs accepted her, and she soon became the boss. On her first day, we brought our horse, Bruno, into the barn and introduced him to Meadow. We held our collective breaths when, suddenly, Bruno began to groom Meadow like horses groom each other. We had never seen a horse groom a dog! The grooming sessions became a daily ritual. Since then, Meadow and Bruno have been featured in the paper, our local Channel 12, and the story went viral on Facebook.

Meadow is a star; maybe the best dog we’ve ever owned.

The story doesn’t end there. Sadly, one of our male dogs passed away from cancer this past summer, and Jennifer was determined to adopt another dog in his honor.

This is where the plot thickens. In late November, we adopted two-year old Chloe from the shelter who, like Meadow, is a slightly smaller, overbred, white Pitbull mix. Like Meadow, she has the same soft coat and black spots subtly spread over her body. But, unlike Meadow, Chloe has a stunning black circle around one of her eyes. Except for that black spot, it’s hard to tell them apart.

Meadow and Chloe have become best buddies. They play together, cuddle, constantly kiss each other, and are inseparable. Like Meadow, Chloe immediately commandeered a spot on the most comfortable chairs and couches. Like Meadow, Chloe refused her crate and insists on sleeping on our bed.

Like Meadow, Chloe insists on sleeping on the bed.

They have many of the same habits, traits, and characteristics. We have begun to think maybe it’s more than a coincidence.

Think about it! Meadow was overbred; we know she had several litters of puppies, but we don’t know what happened to any of them. Could it be? Was it fate or some higher power that had us adopt Meadow 15 months ago? Was it fate or some higher power that brought Chloe and Meadow together this past November?

Who’s to say? So, we have made our own happy determination: Chloe is Meadow’s daughter.

That’s our Christmas story and we’re sticking to it! How lucky are we to have three, loving, goofy, happy, affectionate Pitbull mixes to make our home a joyful place? Maybe it’s time for your family to adopt the first, the second, or even a third dog and share that Christmas joy. You won’t be sorry.

FOTAS wishes you and your family a Happy Holiday Season. This year the shelter, once again, saved more than 4,000 animals, thanks to our community’s support. Thank you and God bless.

Their lives are in our hands.

— By Peter Miller, FOTAS Volunteer

2020, adopter feedback, Adoption, ANIMAL CRUELTY, Dogs, FOTAS, neglected pets, News

Stray Dog Toby Escapes Hard-Knock Life to Become Cherished Family Member

Posted on by Bob Gordon
17
Dec

Dogs living in animal shelters remind me of the iconic Broadway play, “Annie”. Early in the show, Annie and the other orphans sing, “It’s a hard-knock life.” With lyrics like “instead of kisses, we get kicked” you quickly learn that these girls, like shelter dogs, have experienced bad things in their lives but they still hope someone will love them.

Toby was just such a dog when a special “guardian angel” named Charlene found him. One February night, Charlene saw a dog with no collar walking in a parking lot by a busy road. Even though she was on her way to Church, she stopped to check on him. She returned later in the evening to take Toby home, but he was gone. Store workers told her the dog had been coming around since a man threw the little dog out of his car in their parking lot. For six weeks, Toby had been living on a few scraps the workers gave him and he was sleeping outside during the cold nights.

Toby relaxes at his forever home.

Charlene came back the next day and found Toby. When she put him in her car, he began shaking violently in fear. Charlene couldn’t keep Toby, but she tried to place him with friends. In the end, she took him to the Aiken County Animal Shelter. The FOTAS volunteers assured her he would be well cared for until a suitable owner could be found.

In the meantime, we were ready to adopt a dog into our family. We didn’t want a puppy, but we did need a smaller dog because of the size of our backyard. In early March, we met Toby shortly after he was brought to the shelter and we instantly fell in love. We proceeded with the adoption and posed for a picture to be placed on the FOTAS Facebook page. As luck would have it, a mutual friend saw the picture and told Charlene. We connected and she shared the sad story of how she found him. Her insight helped us to understand some of his anxiety issues.

Our first days with Toby were a learning curve. He didn’t know how to play with toys nor was he leash trained. His fear of other dogs and people left him shaking and very anxious.

Lyddie and Charlie Hansen adopt Toby.

A visit to Dr. Holly Woltz provided us with some tools to socialize Toby and help him live his best life. Today, Toby loves his daily walks. He nuzzles all of the dogs in the neighborhood and happily greets their owners. His favorite friend is Luna, a large black dog who is equally happy to see our little Puggle. As for toys, he loves to play fetch with his pink elephant!

The story of Toby culminates in much the same way as in the play when Annie sings with Daddy Warbucks, “I Don’t Need Anything but You”. Toby is in his forever home and brings us much joy. We even have his picture on this year’s Christmas card. He completes our family, and we are grateful to Charlene and our friends at FOTAS for bringing us together.

— By Lyddie Hansen, FOTAS Supporter

2020, Adoption, coronavirus crisis, Dogs, FOTAS, News, SOCIAL MEDIA, Therapy Dogs

Maggie’s Wagging Tail and Furry Face Are a Balm for Difficult Times

Posted on by Bob Gordon
25
May

If it’s true miracles happen when they’re least expected, maybe it’s not so surprising what happened to a Pointer-mix named Maggie. How, with the whole world hijacked by the COVID crisis, she was rescued off the streets and brought into the Aiken County Animal Shelter. How she was then adopted by a 49-year-old fitness guru who’d never had a dog.

Shelter dog Sophia has a new home, a new name — Maggie, and a new job helping people.

The life Maggie has now, however, no one saw coming.

She’s got a hashtag #MascotMaggie. She’s got a weekend name, Mountain Maggie. She’s got a best friend, Tambra Wilkerson. What’s more, she’s got a mission.

“She has exceeded my expectations,” says Wilkerson, who walked away from her job at Savannah River Site in 2017 to follow what she says was a calling to work fulltime with patients of neurological issues such as Parkinson’s Disease, Multiple Sclerosis, and stroke.

Along with her husband, Steve, she founded the non-profit Day One Fitness, providing therapeutic boxing classes out of a gym in Beech Island, SC. With certification as a personal trainer specializing in neurological conditions, Wilkerson continues to expand her programs, spending a lot of hours on the job. When the pandemic suspended in-person classes, she worked to keep clients connected and active, developing online exercise sessions and virtual social gatherings. Still, her schedule was much lighter than usual.

Sophia aka Maggie was a staff favorite at the shelter due to her sweet personality.

“The shelter’s Facebook posts capture my heart every time I see them.,” she said. “I love dogs, but I never felt I had the time a dog deserved. I thought maybe I’d get a dog in my retirement. But during COVID-19, I realized I did have time.”

Using the shelter’s appointment system for socially-distanced adoptions, Wilkerson emailed the staff and scheduled a visit. They brought out Maggie, a shy and skittish stray who wouldn’t look people in the eye. Until now. She seemed to know this was the family she’d waited for her whole life. Wilkerson describes their bond as exceptional.

“Second to my husband, Maggie is my best friend. She’s by my side all the time. Her loyalty draws my heart in even more.”

Maggie and Wilkerson are partners in work and play. When it’s time for a Zoom exercise class with Parkinson’s patients, Maggie joins in. When it’s time for Wine Down Wednesday with Day One clients, Maggie is there for a virtual game of Pictionary or a client’s Facetime tour of his chicken coop.

At a time of fear and uncertainty, Maggie’s wagging tail and furry face are a balm for difficult times. She brings laughter, and the reminder life is good.

Maggie “on the job” at Day One Fitness in Beech Island, SC

“She’s such an asset to my mission. She’s my faithful sidekick.”

Wilkerson takes Maggie on weekend excursions, too. Those usually include trips to north Georgia, where Wilkerson and her husband work on their mountain house while Maggie explores and plays.

“She’s just fantastic. Smart, well-behaved, sweet – she has it all,” Wilkerson said.

Their lives are in our hands.


— By Martha Anne Tudor

2020, Adoption, bonded pets, Cats, Dogs, FOTAS, making care-giving arrangements for pets, News, SOCIAL MEDIA, surrendered pets

Bonded Dog and Cat Saved After Owner Goes into Assisted Living

Posted on by Bob Gordon
16
Apr

Everything fell apart for Fergus and George when their owner’s health deteriorated, forcing him to move into an assisted living facility. Broken-hearted, Robert Toole brought Fergus, a 2-year-old, tan Chihuahua, and George, an 11-year-old cream-colored cat, to the Aiken County Animal Shelter on Jan. 8 and tearfully said goodbye to his sweet pets.

Fergus snuggles with Mia, the Usrys’ Golden Retriever,

Since Robert was able to provide their medical records, the pair became available for adoption immediately. Terrified and wondering why they were at the shelter, Fergus and George huddled together and it quickly became clear to the shelter staff that these two pets needed to be adopted to the same home.

FOTAS friend Martha Anne Tudor posted pictures of Fergus and George on her Facebook page along with their sad story. The post was shared by thousands, including WRDW-TV News 12, which did an on-air feature about the bonded dog and cat.

On the morning of January 9, before the shelter had even opened its doors, Lynn Usry was waiting outside, ready to adopt Fergus and George.

“My friend forwarded me the Facebook post and their eyes just spoke to me,” Lynn said. “As soon as I saw the two of them in their kennel, I knew they would be perfect for our home.”

Lynn Usry hangs out with her Chihuahua crew — Bert, Fergus and Ernie.

Lynn brought them home to meet her husband, Mark, and their other pets – and the transition could not have gone smoother. George started hanging out with the couple’s other senior cat, Mojo, and after about a week, Fergus and Mia, their Golden Retriever, were inseparable. Fergus and George also get along with the Usrys’ other Chihuahuas, Bert and Ernie, and Marley, their male Golden Retriever.

“We all hang out together,” Lynn explained during a phone interview last week. “Right now, Bert and Ernie are sitting in one recliner and Fergus is on my lap underneath his favorite red blanket. He’s a spitfire and fits right into our group. He often curls up with Mia and uses her as a pillow.”

Lynn offered to bring Fergus and George for visits to their old owner, Mr. Toole. But when the shelter staff reached out to him on her behalf, he declined. He said the experience would be too painful for him.

Bonded pets Fergus (left) and George were devastated when their owner had to go into an assisted living facility — where they weren’t allowed to join him.

The Usrys have a small farm with goats and chickens and Lynn said she’s finding great comfort being with her pets during the COVID-19 crisis. She’s a retired OR nurse and Mark is currently the director of University Hospital’s biomedical department.

“The adoption process was wonderful,” Lynn said. “Everybody was very kind. I took the babies home and they didn’t have any issues. I think God just meant it to happen…to have everything fall into place.”

Their lives are in our hands.

Note: Due to the COVID-19 crisis, the ACAS is closed to the public. If you are interested in adopting a pet, please call the ACAS, (803) 642-1537 for an appointment. Adoption fees are waived until further notice.

— By Bob Gordon, FOTAS Communications Director

2020, Adoption, Dogs, FOTAS, neglected pets, News, Volunteer

A FOTAS Love Story: Fate and the Redemptive Power of Love

Posted on by Bob Gordon
07
Apr

This week’s story is one about serendipity—a series of coincidental and seemingly unrelated events and encounters that resulted in happy good fortune for a scared, abandoned dog and a man stricken by grief.

Bryce Lingo, a resident of Delaware, is a frequent winter visitor in Aiken. An accomplished equestrian, Bryce travels from his farm in Virginia with his horses to train with his friend, Snowden Clarke. The past year has been difficult for Bryce—he lost his dad, his older brother, and last October, he lost his 10-year-old German Shorthair Pointer to cancer. By the time he reached Aiken in January, he was looking forward to relaxing in Aiken in the company of his friends, but on Valentine’s Day, tragedy struck again. His other beloved German Shorthair Pointer, Hartley, was struck and killed by a car. Bryce was devastated.

Gill (renamed Aiken) on his new owner;s bed

Enter Sam Cato, a longtime FOTAS supporter, volunteer, adopter, and foster, with whom Bryce had become friendly with over the years. Sam, upon hearing about Bryce’s heartbreaking loss of Hartley, did one of those things Sam does best—which was to lobby Bryce to adopt a dog from the county shelter to ease his grief. Bryce was not opposed to rescuing a dog, but he and his family had a long history with, and singular allegiance to, German Shorthair Pointers. Since the shelter rarely takes in purebred animals (much less German Shorthair Pointers), Sam did not push the point.

Two weeks later, Sam made an impromptu decision to take a houseguest out to the county shelter for a tour. As they walked through the adoption pods to check out the canine residents, she stopped, stunned, in front of a kennel in Pod 2. There, cowering in terror in the back of the kennel, was a magnificent German Shorthair Pointer (called Gill by shelter staff) who had been picked up as a stray and only moments before been released from Intake and moved to the adoption floor. Sam wasted no time in snapping Gill’s photo and sending it to Bryce, who had returned to his farm in Virginia the week before. By mid-afternoon, Bryce had formally adopted Gill and made arrangements with a local man to pick him up and drive him to Bryce’s Farm in Virginia.

Today Aiken (Gill’s new name) is resting comfortably at Bryce’s home in Delaware, recovering from being neutered and on antibiotics for heartworm treatment. Says Bryce, “He’s so sweet and quiet, but he’s also very shy and traumatized. He gets better every day: he sleeps on my bed and thumps his tail when I speak to him. My nieces lavish him with attention and my female Siamese cat spends lots of time grooming his face and ears. I wish I knew what had happened to this guy. How could someone just dump him on some county road and drive away?”

Aiken is a sweet and quiet dog who’s learning to come out of his shell and trust people..

Ah ha. That’s the question—one we fret about all the time: how could someone be so callous and so irresponsible to leave a helpless animal to an unknown fate? But in this case, Aiken was lucky, and Bryce has been blessed. They found each other in their time of need.

Maybe—just maybe—that was their fate all along.

Their lives are in our hands.

— By Joanna D. Samson, FOTAS Vice President

2020, Cats, Dogs, Foster, fostering, FOTAS, News, Spay/Neuter

County Shelter Emergency: Transfers Cancelled Due to COVID-19

Posted on by Bob Gordon
30
Mar

As the coronavirus spreads throughout the United States, the ways in which our daily lives are affected become more apparent with each passing day. Shortages in household goods, widespread closing of public places, self-quarantine, and social distancing are becoming the norm in a world stricken by the pandemic. Now is the time to focus on protecting the most vulnerable among us: the elderly, the immune-compromised, and, yes, homeless animals.

Now is the time to focus on protecting the most vulnerable among us: the elderly, the immune-compromised, and, yes, homeless animals.

Over the past two years, the Aiken County Animal Shelter was able to do something no one thought was possible: find a home for all adoptable animals and reserve euthanasia for only the fatally sick and the very dangerous. We were able to do that through innovative care and adoption programs as well as a robust transfer program.

Little Murphy goes home with foster Chenoa Shields during the COVID-19 crisis period.

The pandemic is seriously jeopardizing that success because our transfer partners are eliminating out-of-state transfers because of operational concerns, particularly staffing reductions caused by illness; the anticipation of greater intake caused by folks in the community unable to care for their animals; and even the possibility of shutting down public operations to reduce community spread. These are valid concerns and prudent actions for all shelters, including the county shelter, in light of this unprecedented emergency.

Without your help, the combination of these factors will spell “death sentence” to otherwise healthy animals as overcrowding at the shelter becomes unmanageable and unhealthy. That’s bad news at a time when bad news dominates our daily lives.

How can you help? There are several ways.

1. If you are able, please consider adopting another dog or cat. The shelter is waiving adoption fees until further notice.

2. If you can’t adopt permanently, but you have an empty stall, a fenced in yard, a suitable shelter, please consider fostering animals for some period of time. As always, FOTAS can help you with supplies, if necessary, as long as our supplies last.

3. Do you know someone who is ill and has a pet? Perhaps you can help them care for, feed, or walk their pet. Your assistance could mean the difference between a beloved pet staying home while their owner recovers or being surrendered to the shelter.

Archer needs a home where he can finally feel loved and be your one and only pet.

4. Please, please become an outspoken advocate for spay/neuter, particularly now in this crisis right in the middle of the breeding season. No one should be bringing more puppies and kittens into the world when so many homeless animals need homes.

The Center for Disease Control and the World Organization for Animal Health have issued advisories saying there is no evidence companion animals can spread the virus and “there is no justification for taking measures against companion animals which may compromise their welfare.”

Given the common-sense requirement for social distancing and self-quarantine, our pets may be our only protection against the devastating effects of social isolation. We will need our pets as much as they need us in the trying times to come.

Although the county has closed the shelter to regular public traffic for the safety of the community and shelter personnel, it will be open for adoptions/fosters by appointment, which will take place outside. Call the shelter (803-642-1537) between 9:00-4:30 (Mon.-Fri.) for adoption/foster appointments or email info@fotasaiken.org for more information.

Thank you and God bless.

Their lives are in our hands.

— By Joanna D. Samson, FOTAS Vice President

2019, Adoption, Bully Dogs, Dogs, FOTAS, Have a Heart, Save a Heart, Heartworms, News, Pibbles

No More Tears: Hamilton’s a Happy Dog and Facebook Star

Posted on by Bob Gordon
13
Jan

This is a story that began with a dog crying real tears when he was surrendered to the Aiken County Animal Shelter nearly a year ago.

FOTAS Programs Coordinator Kathy Jacobs described the dog, Hank, and his reaction to being separated from his owner in this weekly column space on Feb. 24, 2019.

Hamilton gets ready for a Georgia Bulldog football game on his birthday.

“I saw something that I had not witnessed before, something that I will never forget,” Jacobs wrote. “The black Lab had tears in his eyes, with some trickling down his face. His cheeks were puffing in and out and his breathing was rapid. It was like watching a child be taken from his parents. He was heartbroken.”

Meredith Anderson, a popular anchor and award-winning investigative reporter at WRDW News in Augusta, saw the column and photo of Hank on Facebook. She read how this poor, 2-year-old, 55-pound dog had been waiting for a new home for many weeks and was getting depressed from being passed over by potential adopters. The dog’s story touched her, so she drove to the ACAS to meet Hank on Feb. 25. Anderson was quickly smitten with Hank and took him home that afternoon. She already had a new name for this special dog: Hamilton.

“Hamilton was absolutely meant to be my family’s dog…no question,” Anderson said. “I love him so much. I am beyond happy he is part of our family.” While Hamilton is a charmer and an amazing dog, the Anderson family knew this sweet boy came with some challenges and responsibilities – all of which Meredith chronicles on her WRDW Channel 12 Facebook page.

Hamilton is “interviewed” about his DNA test.

“Hamilton initially took a lot of work, love, investment, and patience. All totally worth it…but I don’t want to give the impression this journey has been an easy one,” she said. “I just want to be a responsible dog owner…and I think part of that is making sure people know adopting a dog is a big decision that really does require a lot of thought.”

Since adding Hamilton to her family, Anderson has posted entertaining photos of him in various outfits, hats and glasses. Her latest post is a video of Hamilton vigorously shaking his favorite rope toy to the Outkast song, “Hey Ya!” She’s also celebrated Hamilton’s third birthday; revealed his DNA test results (mostly Staffordshire Terrier with some Beagle and other smaller breeds); and about a month ago announced he was heartworm-free.

WRDW Channel 12 News Anchor/Reporter Meredith Anderson and Hamilton

“Christmas came early this year,” she posted. “GREAT NEWS. Hamilton is officially heartworm negative!” FOTAS paid for and provided the treatment to cure Hamilton of this mosquito-borne infection, as it does for any heartworm positive dog at the ACAS through its “Have a Heart, Save a Heart” program.

“Last year, Hamilton was at the Aiken County Animal Shelter,” Anderson noted. “This Christmas, he posed with his presents. Turns out, he was just as much a gift to my family as we were to him.”

— By Bob Gordon, FOTAS Communications Director

PETS OF THE WEEK

TURNER: Hound mix, male, 8 yo, black, 88 pounds – $35

SISSY: Domestic Shorthair, female, 4 mo, chocolate, 4 pounds – $10

2019, adopter feedback, Adoption, Bully Dogs, Chained dogs, Dogs, FOTAS, News, Pibbles

The Dog I Didn’t Want Might Just Be My Favorite

Posted on by Bob Gordon
11
Nov

The oldest of our three dogs, Yoda, died in August from cancer. My wife, Jennifer, wanted to honor Yoda’s memory by adopting another dog from the shelter. I was against the idea. Our other two dogs (Beethoven and Buster) are great dogs, best buddies with established routines, and our pet ownership experience was on autopilot. Why rock the boat?

MEADOW lived on a chain and was neglected before joining the Miller household.

We own a horse farm and allow our dogs to roam free. The dogs are well trained to stay within the boundaries of our property. A new dog would mean training those boundaries all over again, training it to be compatible with the horses, and introducing it to Beethoven and Buster—who I feared, even though they are the sweetest dogs, could develop a pack mentality and give a new dog problems.

I gave Jennifer all the excuses I could to avoid adopting another dog. She wasn’t buying it. Not only was she insistent that she wanted to adopt another dog, she wanted to adopt one that had been on the adoption floor the longest. Great! I was losing the battle.

Then one afternoon, Jennifer informed me she had found that dog and wanted me to go to the shelter to meet her. Her? A female dog? With our two boys? “Meadow,” said Jennifer. “She’s everyone’s favorite dog at the shelter.” Yeah, right.

Off we went to the shelter, and I met Meadow, a six-year-old, white pit bull mix, who was heartworm positive. She had lived outside on a chain most of her life and was obviously overbred as evidenced by the six hanging nipples. Housebroken? Working on it. Basic obedience? A work in progress.

Bruno gives his new sister, MEADOW, her daily grooming — these two instantly bonded.

Jennifer had found her perfect unwanted dog.

I relented and we took Meadow home. The introduction to the other two dogs was okay; they didn’t kill her. The next day, Susie Cohen, shelter dog trainer extraordinaire, came to our home to assess the situation. When our alpha dog, Beethoven, raised his hackles, Susie was worried. But both Buster and Beethoven began to accept her, and we breathed a sigh of relief.

Next, we took Meadow to the barn on a leash to test her reaction to horses. We introduced her to our horse, Bruno, and Meadow sat down in front of him, intensely curious. Then the most amazing thing happened. Bruno bowed his head, sniffed her, and began to lick her all over, the way horses groom each other. Meadow sat still and savored his affection. It was precious. They were in love!

MEADOW (center) gets cozy on the bed with her new canine siblings, Buster and Beethoven.

Soon, Meadow fit right in with our family. She is the boss of the boys and we don’t need to leash her anymore. Her manners and her housebreaking continue to improve, and she has discovered our soft, cushy furniture – plus she sleeps in our bed with Beethoven and Buster. She also is a great athlete, as evidenced by the time she jumped on the counter, grabbed a plateful of people cookies, and threw it to the floor. All three dogs wolfed down ten cookies before we could intervene. Every day she becomes a happier, more well-adjusted dog.

Don’t tell Beethoven and Buster, but I think Meadow is now my favorite. Go figure.

— By Peter Miller, FOTAS Volunteer

BY THE NUMBERS
Monday, November 11 is Veterans Day. FOTAS sponsors (pays for) Aiken County Animal Shelter adoptions year-round for U.S. veterans and active military personnel.

PETS OF THE WEEK

SYDNI
Lab mix, female, 3 years old, black w/white, 65 pounds – $35

SIMBA
Domestic Shorthair kitten, male, 2 months old, bronze Tabby, 2 pounds – $10

2019, Adoption, Dogs, FOTAS, News, senior pets

To Love and Be Loved by a Shelter Dog

Posted on by Bob Gordon
05
Mar

Maggie wakes me up every morning. First, she nudges me with a paw—poke, pause, poke, pause. I groan, pull the covers over my face. She is resolute. Poke, poke, pause. She stretches her long, muscular body next to mine, licks my hand, sniffs the sheet over my face, nibbles my hair. I wave her away. She pants in my ear. Finally, I lower the sheet and open one eye. She thumps her tail and gives me that lopsided dog smile, exposing one long canine tooth on the right side of her mouth. I laugh. She lays her head on my chest and I stroke her head. What a way to start the day.

That’s how it’s been almost every morning since the day I brought her home from the Aiken County Animal Shelter nine years ago this week. She has been my constant companion, my best friend, and in the way of best friends, we know each other so well.

She is a voracious eater but manages to leave that one tiny pill licked clean in the bottom of the bowl. She hates thunder and fireworks and trembles violently at the veterinarian’s office. She loves to ride in the car and walk in the Hitchcock Woods. She’s tolerant of other dogs, cautious with new people, and detests cats and squirrels. She chases rabbits in her dreams.

She sulks when I leave the house, chases her tail in celebration when I come home, and snuggles close when I’m sad. She has nursed me through four major surgeries, countless respiratory infections and colds, unfortunate horse-related accidents, Lyme’s disease, and bad haircuts. We binge-watched 20 seasons of Law & Order: SVU together. That’s a true friend.

Maggie was three-years-old when I brought her home, which makes her 12 today—that’s 69 in dog years. She’s a sturdy little thing, rarely sick, but now the red fur on her muzzle is gray. Her eyes are cloudy with cataracts, and she’s a little deaf. She climbs the stairs slowly, one at a time. She’s growing old, and absent some unexpected tragedy or illness, I’m going to outlive her—that’s just a biological fact.

The only love you’ll ever regret is the love you never gave. The best way to get over losing a pet is to adopt and save a new one, like sweet Porter.

A lump forms in my throat when I think about it. Silly, really, to fret about the future, and if my pal Maggie could talk, she would tell me to knock it off, enjoy each moment as it comes—our moments—right here, right now. Dogs are wise that way.

When the time does come for Maggie to journey to the Rainbow Bridge, I’ll be deeply, profoundly sad—a small price to pay for a decade of joy and companionship. I will honor her memory by loving another abandoned shelter dog when I’m ready. I take comfort in knowing she will be waiting for me at the Rainbow Bridge when it’s my time to make that journey.

Maybe you’re uncertain about bringing home a shelter dog. Maybe you think you’d like to adopt a senior dog, but you are afraid your time with that dog will be too short. If so, Maggie and I say to you: the only love you’ll ever regret is the love you never gave.

Don’t wait—your new best friend is waiting for you at the County Shelter.

Their lives are in our hands.

— By Joanna Samson, FOTAS Vice-President

By the Numbers
The Aiken County Animal Shelter received 335 strays and surrendered pets during the month of February, bringing the total to 727 animals so far this year, or about 12 per day.

Pets of the Week
PORTER
Mixed breed, male, 3 years old, black with white, 55 pounds – $35

PRINCESS
Domestic Shorthair cat, female, 11 years old, gray tiger Tabby, 12 pounds – $10