Sometimes when I spend the morning at the shelter, it feels like I helped a bit by getting a dog out for a walk, but it also can feel like anyone could have done it. I know that every single person counts, and every time a dog gets out of their kennel and has some attention definitely does matter, but there are some days when there just isn't a real connection.
Today wasn't one of those days.
Meet Jackie.
Jackie is a five month-ish old puppy with a case of noncontagious Demodex. That means that much of her hair is missing, her skin is very scabby and she smells kinda yeasty. She's also very itchy.
You would think that all of this would make Jackie one miserable little girl.
You would be wrong.
Jackie is the happiest, most exuberant, sweetest puppy I've ever met. She has absolutely no idea that there is anything wrong with her. Sure, she's probably itchy, but that isn't going to stop her from greeting each and every person she encounters with a huge smile and a big case of the wiggles. Jackie is just thrilled with life.
When she first came out of her kennel, Jackie was very rambunctious, jumping up and twirling around. A cement kennel is no place for a puppy, and especially not for this one. All she wanted was to be petted and to be OUT.
Once we walked for a bit her real personality started to emerge. This sweet grey girl absolutely adores snuggling. She wants to climb right onto your lap anytime you sit down, and preferably have you scratch all of her itchy bits. She's happy to kiss you too and thrilled with treats. Once Jackie got her wiggles out, she caught on to the idea of sitting for a treat super quickly and even started to get the hang of watch mes. Shake should be very easy to teach her as well because one of her go to moves for a treat is lifting her paw. This is a smart girl.
We hung out, we cuddled, Jackie walked beautifully on her leash once she got some energy out and then was content to lay on a dog bed and chew a bone that had some little pieces of kibble in it. She barks when other dogs walk by but was extremely responsive when I called her over and offered her some treats for a focused-on-me sit.
I spent about two hours with Jackie and felt like we made some breakthroughs. She settled down enough to focus on me and learn a few things and she had some time where she just got to be a puppy, not a shelter dog with Demodex. That felt so good. That felt like it mattered.
(If you cannot see the video below, please view it HERE.)
Jackie needs a foster home where she can heal from her Demodex (just some medicated baths and some oral medication) and get ready for her forever family. She'd also be perfect for a foster-to-adopt situation...that means she goes home with you now, but medical costs are paid for by the shelter.
If you are interested in fostering or adopting Jackie, please email sacramentocountydogs@gmail.com.
And if you can't take in Jackie personally, that's okay, I can't either (although I sure wish I could).
Instead, please do share this blogpost and help get this wonderful puppy out of the kennel and into a loving home, stat!
xo
Chandra
Update: PB Soc posted our blog and video to Jackie's page and that afternoon she went home with a wonderful family in a foster-to-adopt. So, so happy for this sweet girl and her new family.
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