As some of you know, Erich (my boyfriend) and I adopted a dog back in September. We knew we wanted a dog that was a few years old and that was small or medium sized. What we didn’t know at the time was how extensive the adoption process was. You had to apply to each agency or organization. Then once you got accepted, you could apply for the specific dog you wanted. It was almost like you were applying for a job.I mean I get it, you want to make sure that the pet goes to a good home with well intentioned owners. But the application process definitely took some time and patience.
A few weeks into the application process, we got accepted by an agency and they mentioned that they had a dog named Coco. So after hearing a little about him, we went to meet him. We met Coco along with someone from the agency at a pet store. The dog was shaking and scared anytime someone came in through the automatic doors at the front of the store. This dog was backing away from anyone and everyone. He was also underweight.
When we met Coco, there was just something about him. You could tell he had been through some stuff in his three to four years of life (estimated by our vet). He had come from Puerto Rico a few weeks prior to us meeting him. When we saw him, we decided that Coco just didn’t feel like the right name for him. He deserved a name as unique as himself: Toad.
So we brought the dog home. And sadly, the majority of the time, he would just stand in one place and shake. He was also scared of his leash. We had to chase him around with it for a few minutes before getting it on him to take him outside. This dog barely laid down (unless it was bedtime). He always seemed to be on edge.
About a week into having him, he began acting differently. He was sluggish, which was abnormal for his high alert self. He was congested, coughing and stopped eating.The eating part was particularly concerning considering that he was already underweight. We were terrified. We barely even had this dog long enough to know what was normal and what wasn’t. But we had an inkling that something was off with him. So we rushed him to the emergency vet, where we received three medications for him. After a few days, by some grace of God and due to the medicine I’m sure, Toad was eating regularly again. And eventually, he got back to his normal self.
Overtime, we’ve gained his trust and he has gained ours. He has his own couch and two dog beds (okay he’s somewhat spoiled). It’s been amazing to watch Toad’s confidence grow. He no longer shakes. And he enjoys cuddling and belly rubs. He feels comfortable relaxing and sleeping during the day now.
Toad’s no perfect dog. He still growls defensively at his own reflection. And he growls at us when we come in and out of the room at night because he’s sleepy and doesn’t recognize us and thinks we are intruders. And he can be territorial around other dogs. But he’s our little lad (Erich’s nickname for Toad) and we love him. And we are doing our best to help him work through his troubles.
Toad’s our corky little dog. He loves whipped cream and chasing squirrels. He enjoys walks and treats. He may not be perfect but he’s come a long way from where he started. And adopting him was the best decision we ever made. Seeing him cheers me up when I’m sad. Welcome to your forever home Toad, we love you. ADOPT DON’T SHOP. There are so many animals out there that could use your help. Some of these animals have been through a lot and could use a nice home to feel safe in.
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