Dudley’s adoption day was September 3rd…Labor day weekend one year ago. I was very fortunate to have a friend who was willing to spend 6 hours driving to Portland to get him (round trip)…we drove in her car and I did the 3 am drive for most of the way because she doesn’t have good night vision. It was a big event for me, I don’t drive on the highways or freeways and I get very anxious dealing with traffic. I had a friend who lived in Portland who was able to pick Dudley up if there were any problems with the drive time and she met us at the drop off site.
We were waiting in the parking lot of Target at 6 am with my friend and this transport van pulled up full of barking dogs. There were about 6 people waiting besides us to get their cute adorable puppies and then I stepped up and said “I’m here for Dudley” He was the stressed out dog who rode in the crate behind Dean (the driver) and he was just a wreck…whale eyes, dry nose from panting for 2 days straight. The 3 hour drive home, he kept trying to stand up and wanted nothing to do with us. Once I got him to our property, he marched up the ramp and barely gave me time to scoop my blind cat off the dog bed.
It took a year for him to feel settled…he is the most stubborn dog ever but he has just started showing signs that he knows he’s home for good. He is finally comfortable in the car and has started to sit up and look out the windows. He grunts and squeals when he knows that we are going to meet up at our dog walking spot.
I feel sad knowing that he spent so much time at the rescue waiting…I know he was so loved but I’m sad that he was passed by because he is just the most amazing dog. You all did good when you rescued Dudley and Boomer, as well as the multitude of other dogs. Dudley is everything that they said he was on the site I found him on…good with cats, kids, dogs, people. Our regular group that we walk with has 5-10 dogs and Dudley loves them all!!! He is quite the charmer <3
He still has his quirks but they are mostly between him and me. I’ve learned his language and his triggers…he absolutely hates being forced off his bed to do something if it isn’t his idea. That will be a behavior we will work on during our next year together. He postures as a tough guy but I am going to work on getting him comfortable with me saying “Up Up…” and him getting up and going out the door.
He is amazing with my elderly parents…he takes a little daytime walk with my mom and hangs out with my dad while I’m at work. He’s good with their cats and is so tolerant of my nephews. He’s not a super cuddly boy but he will tolerate snuggles and stare holes in the back of my head from the comfort of his bed while I am at the computer desk…and both sets of my neighbors who have dogs love him so much that they fight over who gets to take him if I need a dog sitter.
Every day that we are able to go out in public, we are able to educate people that both rescue dogs and dogs with a disability are potential forever home dogs. Amputation is not the end of the world…Rescued is not the end of the world. Being a certain breed or having those genetics is not the end of the world. They have love in their hearts and want to be loved. I guess the thing I’ve learned from Dudley is that it takes time, sometimes a lot of time…this has been a good year and we have both learned a lot from each other.
Congrats on your first year together! Dudley is lucky he found you.
I’ve had three dogs come to me via those long haul rescue trucks. I’m convinced it’s traumatic and I hope the next time I rescue a dog, I can go pick it up myself.
Awww BRAVO! Hoppy Gotcha Day sweet Dudley!
I love adoption stories like yours, and I’m so happy for all of you, especially your parents. It’s not easy to find younger dogs who are good with older people.
Wish more folks had the kind of patience, understanding, and love in their hearts to see a dog through one year of a big transition like this. Too many people return dogs after a few weeks or months, not giving them enough time to understand that they are in their forever home (or at least, should be). Most people are also not wise enough to see all the lessons in loving and caring for a rescue dog. But you do! And it’s a real joy to have you and Dudley here in our community and proof of what is possible for rescue animals with any amount of legs!
Congrats to you both!!!