Foster Dog #6-Ophelia

Generally speaking we wait about a week in between foster dogs to bring the next one home. This gives everyone time to reset and for us to get the house back in order. I also like to bring them home on the weekends, so that we have time to get to know them, how they do crated, how their eating and potty schedule looks, and anything else that would help us before we have to leave them while we’re at work.

Ophelia had been at the shelter for 90 days when we met her. Josh, from One Love Pit Bull Foundation felt like Ophelia just wasn’t standing out against all the other dogs looking for homes and knew if she could just get into a foster home it would be her chance to get adopted. We actually met her and an older dog, Cherry (who I’m happy to report is also in foster now) the same day. And while Cherry was more my speed, a little slower and quieter, I was worried that Rooster would be too much for her. So, off Ophelia, my bff Darcey, and I went!

We got her home and did our proper introductions, before letting her play in the backyard with Rooster. With that, each introduction is different. Some dogs may not be able to integrate the same day, but so far we’ve been fortunate to get such great dogs from the shelter and all have been tolerant of Rooster.

After initial introductions we put Ophelia in the kennel to relax and safely eat. This is where I saw some of her bratty side. She showed her teeth at the cat as he walked by, even though we knew darn well she didn’t bother cats. So from then on, she was kenneled to eat as to keep her and everyone else safe. She never showed even the slightest attitude towards her people, and literally after a day of some simple rules and boundaries had relaxed so much.

Ophelia was one of the smartest dogs I’ve had the pleasure of hosting in a long time. You see, Great Pyrenees are bred to survive alone, i.e. they do not listen, like at all. And do I even need to talk about chihuahuas? No offense fellow chi, chi-mix peeps. Rooster likes to learn and is super smart, but mostly on his own terms–we’re working on it. But Ophelia, she just looked at you and waited for you to direct her. And that’s something you don’t see in a dog every day.

So we taught her as much as we could in those 8 days of being in our home. She learned how to ‘wait’, how to not fight with the neighbor dogs, how to come better when called and to just be a dog.

About a week into her being here, we received an e-mail from Sam at MCACC. Another volunteer had been talking with someone from Grand Junction, CO who had fallen in love after seeing Ophelia’s picture and some videos. So, I called Robert and just laid out everything that I had discovered in a week for him. That I felt Ophelia had so much potential, but was going to need a structured household with someone who could be a strong, fearless leader for her. That she would probably do best being fed alone as to set her up for success, and that she could be a little intense while playing, but never showed an ounce of aggression. She was going to need a playmate who could handle that level of intensity and energy.

Robert and his family had recently lost their senior, extra-large dogs and were looking for a new dog that could be a playmate to their small resident dog. He wasn’t at all concerned about the few things I mentioned about Ophelia, and felt they had the experience and knowledge to continue teaching her. Robert was looking for a new hiking buddy and best friend and I told him that I felt this could really be his dog.

So, on a Saturday afternoon, after driving 12 hours from Grand Junction, Robert, his wife, and their two kids met us at the animal shelter. Ophelia was distracted by all the sites, smells and sounds, but was friendlier than I had seen her ever be with strangers. Immediately giving kisses and all tail wags. I felt right away, this is it, these are her people.

I told Robert, no pressure, she’ll come home with us if he didn’t feel that connection, but he just kept getting down, calling her over and really calculating the situation. At first, I was a little worried that Ophelia was coming across as stand off-ish because she was so distracted, but every time he called her, she went right over. I told them, when you get her home, she’s going to be a completely different dog. She’ll be following you from room to room, waiting for you to direct her.

Ultimately, Robert decided, yep, she was still the dog he fell in love with. He saw her intelligent eyes and could tell that she had the potential and ‘it’ factor he was looking for in a companion. So, after 90 days in a county shelter, a week in foster care and a teary eyed good-bye she was off to bigger and brighter things.

I didn’t tear up because I was sad, I just was overwhelmed by the perfection that this family would be for her. Just the right amount of discipline and love. And as Robert gave me a big hug good-bye he told me that rescuing dogs is what led them to rescue their children. It turns out, this couple wasn’t just a hero to Ophelia, but also for two wonderful children.

I get updates often, and Ophelia is living the life, being the best version of herself.