A letter from our long-time volunteer, Shari:
Sometimes, dogs arrive at the Humane Society for Animals and only stay a little while, and sometimes they stay with us for a considerable length of time, some their whole lives. This happens for many reasons, and it causes them to not be an “easy” adoption. Others show changes after exposure to love and kindness, but it doesn’t always happen quickly.
Flower is just such a dog.
A Great Dane/Plott Hound mix, she is a big girl with a gleaming brindle coat the rich color of polished tiger oak. There is a gleam in her eyes as well that seems to say, ” I dare you to give me a chance and see how special I am.” She arrived at the shelter with a prong collar around her neck and a deep fear of humans. Overcoming her fears took about a year and a half.
To volunteers, she began to reveal her goofy side, jumping in the wading pool, frolicking with a variety of canine friends. And oh, by-the-way, never stand in the way of a Great Dane with the zoomies.
In spite of this, she remained frightened of potential adopters who visited her. She could appear volatile, jumping against the chain link and barking. It was clear that she was a going to take some special attention and someone willing to put in the time and effort to gain her trust and win her heart. Few people have the time, energy and circumstances to take on a special dog like Flower.
Enter the Deen family!
Amy and Mark met Flower and recognized the gleam in her eyes. They and their two sons became Flower’s heroes. Spending hours, days and weeks working with her. Even on the hottest summer days! The Deen’s walked her, petted her, and just simply sat with her, gaining her trust. The family also brought their two other dogs, Copper and Mickey to meet her and enjoy some playtime too. And Flower showed them her goofy, playful personality which only the volunteers had seen up until now.
And then……they took her HOME to be with her new pack!!!
Thank You to the Deen family! Our gratitude, love and respect go out to them for the imagination, patience and determination to give a chance to a dog who was not “easy”.
And a Big Thank You to Shari, for her dedication and devotion to Flower and all of the Humane Society animals!
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