Our Little Adventure

by Kayla
(Michigan)

Raleigh

About a month ago, I was heading to the shelter to adopt a dog. This is something that I was really looking forward to, as a college graduation gift to myself. For the past 6 months I had been doing research about different types of dog breeds, shelter dogs, and taking care of your new pet etc...As I got into the car on that Thursday morning, I realized that I was really nervous. The car ride there was surreal, I was just thinking about how my life would be changed in so many ways (I think that I was psyching myself out) Anyway, I was going to this particular shelter because I heard that they had standard poodles - a breed that I was really curious about. Additionally, some of my friends are allergic to dogs, so I wanted a pup that would be less likely to cause reactions. When I got there, the process was completely different than I imagined it. I was hoping someone would hold my hand the whole way through - guide me through the process. Instead, I walk into a hectic, bustling reception room. People everywhere, a security guard, phones ringing, dogs barking from every corner. I asked if I could look at the dogs, when it came 'my turn' and the lady - without looking at me - nodded and pointed to a door saying 'Just go through that door, they're in there.' So I wandered a bit, looking at all of the dogs, even the really really big guys. I finally came to the poodles - originally there were 6 at the shelter, when I went there were three. Their story goes something like this: a guy was keeping 6 poodles in his basement. Three of them were kept in a cage so small that it stunted their growth, leaving them with intense medical conditions. The other three were left to roam the basement, pee & poop at their own will, going outside minimally. The state intervened, thankfully, and confiscated the dogs. The three dogs that I saw at the shelter were: 2 Black Standards and 1 Apricot. One of the black standards was already adopted, just waiting on something before he could go to his new home. He was one of the poodles thats growth was stunted (very noticeably). The other two, the apricot and the black, their growth was normal. Wanting to take the fellas out to the park to play, I asked if I could get him out. Surprisingly they were like, here's a leash - go and get him. I was a little bewildered no one was going to come with me for safety. But such is a place understaffed and extremely busy. So I took both of them outside, got to know their personality's and decided on the Apricot. I put him back in the cage and took his paperwork up to the desk to go adopt him. Thinking this would be a long process, a few days, I was surprised that the lady told me I'd take him home today. So as it went, I gave her my credit card, signed some papers, and me + my new guy were out the door and onto the highway to home. Since then it's been mostly fabulous. His name is Raleigh, and he's so loving, caring and curious! Only a few times has he misbehaved (chewing on things in the house, relieving himself at inappropriate times). It's hard too, when he's around other dogs, his social skills aren't appropriate - gets too excited, barks and jumps around. I am an avid runner, and go every morning, so it was also sad that his paws were so sensitive from never being outside, that they bled every time we went for a jog. Fortunately, after a few weeks of walking, they've built up strength and he can run now :) I'm so happy that he's in my life now, and I hope that you enjoyed my story.