Fifi
Mighty the Dog
Junie
Jonesy
Simba
NEDERLAND — Are you an animal lover without an animal in your home? What might be holding you back?
I encounter dogless animal lovers every day. Many bemoan the absence of pure canine love, citing very human reasons for procrastinating, or declining to allow themselves to take the next step. Meanwhile, dogs languish in our local shelters with as much patience as a Buddhist monk, for they have no choice.
How can you help? Would you be open to considering fostering some of the long-term stays at Longmont Humane Society? Even better—would you be willing to visit one of these canine babes lying in wait for their forever home?
Meet the second half of “The Someday Dogs.” These candidates for your love have been waiting for months, not weeks, to be by your side. To warm your living room couch, or to join you on the Fourth of July Trail. From the confines of their two-by-six-foot enclosure they presently know as home, they watch and wait. They suffer alienation and disappointment each time human candidates walk by their kennel. They suffer the uncertainty and worry that their tiny enclosure is all they will ever know.
Their heart falls with each family who enters and leaves with the younger, prettier, or perhaps smarter dog next door. As the adopted dog prances away, tail wagging and nose in the air, they return to the corner, hearts heavy with disappointment.
These Someday Dogs suffer the ache of a longing heart. They long to be by your side.
Speaking as a guardian of a pack of seven rescue dogs, I can personally attest to the satisfaction and fulfillment of adopting dogs. In a world where I feel as helpless as I do disenfranchised, it helps to know I’m righting just a bit of the wrongs in our sociopolitical environment.
My husband and I heal the wrongs of cruelty, abuse and neglect visited upon our four special-needs dogs before we took them into our home. We also feel more engaged with the morally-conscious, enlightened side of the human community.
Adopting a dog is never a small undertaking. Deciding to do so requires a number of factors. Puppy-step your way through the process:
Perhaps you ease into it through fostering. Perhaps you bring along your landlord to the meet and greet, so he can see that Mighty or Simba is not the kind of dog who would chew on drywall, scratch those hardwood floors, or attack a neighbor’s cat. Perhaps you telework and could use a pair of companions by your side, or perhaps you commute 9 to 5. (Dogs are social animals, and you may need to leave your apartment from time to time.)
Meet the rest of the Someday Dogs at the Longmont Humane Society, as eager to meet you as the friend they know you can be:
Fifi: Fifi has no problem mixing it up. She can get along with cats, dogs, or children. Encounter Fifi at bit.ly/fifilongmonthumane.
Junie: Junie can mix it up with other dogs and cats, though she prefers humans of the more adult nature (high school or older). Learn more about Junie at bit.ly/Junielongmonthumane.
Jonesy: Jonesy turns his nose up in the air when it comes to cats, but loves on other dogs. Like Junie, he prefers the company of humans who are in high school or beyond. See Jonesy at bit.ly/Jonesylongmonthumane.
Simba: Simba is like Junie and Jonesy in that he prefers the company of other dogs, but regrets to say he’s not a fan of cats. He also prefers the company of older children or adults. Get to know Simba at bit.ly/Simbalongmonthumane
Mighty: Mighty, last week’s “Pet Of the Week,” awaits his opportunity to show you how much love he has for your children and your other dogs. When it comes to cats, he respectfully regrets their invitation to participate. You can learn more about Mighty at bit.ly/Mightylongmonthumane.
Recently, our illustrious and dogless editor, Sara Sandstrom, rose to the need of a very special long-termer at Longmont Humane Society. When I asked her how she came to decide on such an important matter, she responded:
“We had not had a dog for quite a while. I thought adopting a senior dog who had been at the humane society for a long time would be a good thing to do, and my kids would be thrilled. The fact is she has done more for us than we have done for her. When we met Nina my son asked her if she wanted to come live with us and she licked his entire face. Nina jumped in our car (and our hearts) and instantly became a part of our family.”
Jessica LaFone, another Mountain-Ear denizen who stepped up and adopted a dog, said, “Adopting a senior pet brought a special joy and loyal companion to our family—while giving Denali love and a forever home."
There are compelling reasons to adopt a dog. Maybe you haven’t yet decided. You’re waiting for the sky to turn a more cerulean shade of blue or democracy to restore itself in America. Here’s the good news:
Wouldn’t it be better to wait for such things with a loving canine companion by your side?
