Another breeder was condemned last month for blatant misconduct and cruelty, a common occurrence where we live in South America. Naturally, the shelter we volunteer at took in all four Shiba-Inu pups the breeder had on hand, a commonly bred breed in recent years on account of the internet meme culture’s monumental success and notoriety.
Introverted, shy and extremely anxious one of the pups was seldom interested in socializing and as a result became the least likely to be attended to or chosen by someone seeking to adopt. The other three, confident, playful and engaging, were each adopted in ten days or less. Seldom likely to adopt an anxious dog, we began making several inquiries regarding the shy Shiba.
Before I go on, my girlfriend and I live in a beautiful part of the world and have for nine years now. It’s unfortunate but you have to be careful here — not everyone you meet on the street’s intentions match their smile and demeanor. Especially when it comes to adopting dogs. From dogfights to everyday use and abuse, those of us volunteering at the shelter see all kinds of mistreatment and exploitation. It’s both sad and angering.
We pride ourselves in our ability not just to rehabilitate and care for unwanted, injured and abandoned animals but also our judgement of people’s character when inquiring about adoption. I realize before typing this that it’s a contradictory statement but: the shelter we work at is a vile and horrible place filled with misery and an abundance of love.
After twenty days, several candidates and no commitments later for our fourth and final Shiba pup, my girlfriend received a call back from a friend of a friend that came highly recommended. We spoke over the phone with the potential adopter and the gentleman agreed not only drop in the following week to meet Toku, but he also agreed to donate a considerable sum to the shelter. A gracious offer, humbling us.
Appearing genuine and charismatic, our radars convinced us that that he’d make a good fit and provide the pup with a wholesome home. Stating that he was in the middle of moving, the gentleman explained that he would need two weeks before taking the dog home with him, would make the promised donation upon collection and then, just before he left, named him Toku.
The name Toku at first seemed too cartoony, but after two full weeks of calling him it, it grew on us and Toku himself seemed even to somewhat respond. Everyday a little less shy, everyday a little more playful and everyday a little more trusting it wasn’t long before Toku became the best parts of our day. I’d entrust work to my team and my girl would slip out of a shift early and together we’d meet Toku at the shelter.
Come the day, the gentleman did not show. Claiming over the phone that there was a delay with the move and asking whether the following afternoon worked. Once more he failed to show and once more, he claimed delays before apologizing profusely and assuring us of his arrival the following day. This time, rather than calling him to ask, when he failed to show for the third and final time — my girlfriend threw into the backseat several blankets courtesy of the shelter, tucked Toku into the front seat with her and honked the horn.
Now, Toku isn’t ours. We’re just fostering him until a more trustworthy person steps forward. Preferably someone kind and reliable. Preferably someone with enough time and intent to truly take care of a dog fulltime. Preferably someone with a backyard (as we live on a third storey apartment complex.) In saying that, Toku seems to love it here so far and we’re doing all we can to make him feel confident and at home while we find someone.
My girlfriend suggested blogging the encounter twice a week to increase shelter awareness and the hardships these dogs face. Shelter conditions here are utterly abysmal and without money or volunteers, wouldn’t exist at all. We as a society breed these dogs, we purchase and trade them, it is therefore our responsibility to ensure that those that slip through the cracks are cared for. It is our hope that by publicizing Toku’s growth that we can inspire people to get involved and potentially help those with anxious pups find ways to increase their animal’s comfort and confidence.
Who knows? Maybe in reading this short blog — you’ll find yourself inspired enough to volunteer at a shelter, foster an animal short-term or even adopt a dog fulltime, giving it the love and attention, it needs and deserves. It doesn’t take as much time as you might think to start getting involved. I myself work from home running a small team of software engineers while my girl works three-to-four days a week at a restaurant her family owns and as a photographer, yet we still manage to take on several four hour shifts at the shelter each week.
It’s a two-way street. You help them and in turn, they help you. The long-term effects of working with animals can have profoundly positive, and in some cases transformative, effects on one’s mental health. We would highly recommend you contacting the nearest shelter to see what you can do to help out. You won’t regret it.
Here’s a link for those seeking to contribute to shelters that we trust:
