I will never forget the day I saw Chauncey’s post on Facebook. I was scrolling through my feed one day when I saw a picture of what appeared to be a shy dog with big brown eyes.
The post was from the Spartanburg Humane Society and told the story of a dog who had been stuck in the shelter way too long. I really pitied the poor creature as I read through the post, for it seemed to have lost all hope.
According to the post, Chauncey was a sweet and playful dog who still hadn’t found her forever home. She had been adopted previously but didn’t work out and was returned to the shelter. I just couldn’t imagine that being so difficult for her.
I knew right then and there that I needed to meet Chauncey.The next day, I visited the Spartanburg Humane Society, and as I entered the building, I was met at the door by a very friendly employee who inquired into whether I had come there for some help to locate something.
I told her I was there to see Chauncey, and she smiled before continuing, “Oh, you must be here for our sweet girl!” She walked me back to a kennel, and when we came around to it, I saw Chauncey curled up in the corner, kind of timid.
I entered the kennel, and he looked up at me—our eyes met for the first time ever. I had not expected Chauncey to be such a shy dog, but after sitting next to her, she began to warm up to me very slowly.
She sniffed at my hand, and I stroked her soft fur to reassure her that everything was all right. The more time I spent with Chauncey, the more I came to realize that she was so much more than a shy dog.
She was playful, affectionate, and loving. She’d chase toys and go for walks with me, even snuggle up beside me whenever I sat down. I was smitten, and I knew that I had to make her a part of my family.
The adoption process went pretty smooth, and the people in the shelter were very cooperative. They informed me about her background, the things she likes and dislikes, and what I could expect from her. In fact, they shared with me some really helpful ideas on how to help her adjust to her new home.
She was very quiet during the drive home, sitting in the backseat and peering out the window. Although I could feel uneasiness emanating from her, I tried to comfort her that everything would be all right.
She took a view around after I showed her the place and introduced her to her new surroundings. She went on to explore every nook and cranny. It’s been a little rough the first few days; Chauncey was getting used to her new home.
She didn’t want to trust me at first, but patience, love, and constancy had her slowly opening up over time. We got into a routine, and she began to look to me for her needs. She even started to engage in playtime, which is huge.
In just a few weeks, Chauncey transformed from a shy, withdrawn dog into a confident companion that loved everyone. She would follow me everywhere, tail wagging, and snuggle up beside me on the couch. She even became quite friendly with the neighbors’ dogs and would play for hours on end with them.
It was then that I realized Chauncey’s story wasn’t about her; it was about the power of love, patience, and second chances. She had been given up on once before, yet she never gave up on herself. She waited patiently for someone to come along and see her for who she truly was—a sweet, loving, loyal companion.
It’s why, reflecting back on our journey together, shelter pets need to be adopted. There are so many Chaunceys out there waiting for the day they get a second shot at living happy, fulfilling lives. Maybe they have been cast off, unwanted, or dumped, but they still have so much love remaining to give.
Chauncey’s story is one that has taught me so much about boundless love and every single creature worthy of happiness. This little girl may have spent way too much time in a shelter, but she never gave up on hope. And at last, she found her forever home with me, where she would always be loved, treasured, and adored.
I’ll never forget that Facebook post which brought Chauncey and me together. That was a chance encounter which changed our lives forever. And as I look into her big brown eyes, know that I did something right in adopting her. Shelter dog or not, she belongs to our family; a place with me will always be open to her.
What are you waiting for? Your new family member is waiting for you in a shelter.
A home is what everyone dreams of, be it a person or a dog. It feels good to travel the world but have somewhere to return to at the end of the journey.
The dogs feel the same, they want people who look for them and love them whole heartedly. They too, want love and affection like anybody else.
You might be missing out without a pet and maybe your future family member is waiting for you to come and give it hope. Don’t make it wait.