Okay, gang, enough is enough. We have got a job to do---- its time to find dear Chico a forever home. I know weve posted about Chico dozens of times over the past several months. But there is something about this dog that is hurting my heart and I just have to try again to reach out in hopes that someone somewhere will be inspired to come to the Carroll County (Ga) Animal Shelter and adopt this angel. Hang on-- I can be long-winded. I was talking to the animal control officer who originally brought Chico in to the shelter just yesterday, when I returned Chico to the shelter after the adoption event. Chris asked if Chico got adopted, and shook his head at my negative response. I cant believe Chico has been here since April. When I brought him in, I figured hed be adopted inside of a week. Hes a great dog. Chico wound up in a shelter through no fault of his own. His original owner died, and a friend took Chico in. But the friend traveled all the time and realized he couldnt take care of a dog, so he left Chico in a hotel room in Carroll County and called animal control on his way out of town to let them know where to find the sweet baby. Despite the tough times hes seen lately--- the loss of his owner, his abandonment, his months at the shelter--- Chico has remained a friendly, well-behaved, loving dog. I have seen a lot of dogs come through the shelter over the last 14 years, but Ive never seen one who takes things in stride better than Chico. Hes open for anything--- he has enthusiastically created doggie art (and tolerated the tedious clean-up process afterward), he has posed for lots of photos, he has gone to the radio station and more offsite adoption events than I can count. Some dogs who wind up at the shelter for a long period (remember, Chico has been there since April) get restless and hyper; some get quiet and depressed; some get grumpy and act out. And then theres Chico, who refused to give up hope that theres someone out there who will take him into their heart and who patiently spends his days waiting for his turn to take a freedom ride. I suspect by now Chico is attuned to the rhythm of life at the shelter and looks forward to Saturdays, when there are lots of volunteers to walk and play with and sometimes even a ride to someplace new and interesting for an adoption event. The rest of his week has a monotonous quality--- eat, sleep, maybe get some playtime with a staff member or in a run with a canine buddy or two, but mostly sit and look out the door of his pen, hoping someone will come and talk to him and check him out. Most of the visitors seem to pass him by, for whatever reason. He perks up as people walk by, standing expectantly by his cage door but rarely barking. Then, when they just keep walking, he sits back down, and for a moment, he looks sad. It passes quickly, however; and whos to say that the volunteer watching yet another missed opportunity for Chico isnt just projecting her own disappointment onto him? It would feel a little strange, after all this time, to walk through A Pod and not see Chico and scratch his chin. It would feel like something was missing if I spent a Saturday without seeing Chico flash me that lopside Elvis snarl grin of his as he trotted along with one of the volunteers. It would feel odd to work at an offsite event and not spend part of my day with Chico sitting beside me showering me with doggie kisses. But I cannot wait to miss that guy. Its time. He needs out of here.
Posted on: Sun, 02 Nov 2014 21:45:00 +0000
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