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Age: 2 Years Sex: Male Weight: 26-50 lbs
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Leave a bone for Whisper
Nicknames:
Whisp, Velcro
Doggie Dynamics:
| | | | | | | | | Energy | | | | | | Intelligence | | | | | | Friendliness | | | | | | Playfulness | | | | | | Disposition | | | |
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Quick Bio:
Gotcha Date:
August 21st 2010
Birthday:
May 21st 2010
Likes:
Really?! Hiking?! Yay!!
Pet-Peeves:
When mommy sneezes
Favorite Toy:
Used to be Giant Ducky, now it's Bambi
Favorite Food:
Beef Marrow Bones
Favorite Walk:
Through the Park
Best Tricks:
Give Paw and trying to talk when anyone is having a conversation
Arrival Story:
I always habitually checked the local animal shelter just to see who was there. In July 2010, I came across a picture of black and white puppy huddled in a cage. The description said Kelpie but I knew through my own special passion for the breed that he was really a border collie. It was rare to see that breed at our local shelter, I thought, and I told myself that someone was going to be really lucky when they got him. I left the website figuring that he would be adopted quickly.
Two weeks went by and I was checking the site again. To my surprise that puppy was still listed! Now I was a bit concerned. Two weeks was about the point my shelter decided to euthanize. But I couldn’t picture this puppy NOT being adopted. My mind ran to adopting him but I quickly scratched it. I had Buzz my 14yr old Cocker Spaniel, he was "family dog" but after college I returned home and formally took ownership of him from my mother. With my job I couldn’t deal with the stress of housebreaking and separation anxiety, and the teething phase. Plus my mother never let any ole’ dog in the house. She kept a clean house and adored Buzz for his manners she would never allow a hyperactive, potentially destructive breed like the border collie through our doors.
Another week went by and I hadn’t checked the site. I figured at this point he was definitely adopted. I didn’t want to think about the alternative option. Upon coincidence, a friend needed a ride home after visiting someone. I found myself waiting for her near the shelter. Thinking about that puppy I figured it wouldn’t hurt to ask.
I started by walking the aisles to see if I could spot him. He had been the only black and white puppy listed so I figured he would be easy to spot if he were there. He wasn’t. I searched every kennel carefully but nothing, I couldn’t accept that he might have been euthanized so I couldn’t bring myself to ask the staff. After my 3rd time around the kennels one of the workers stopped me and asked me who I was looking for. I told him a week ago I saw a black and white puppy listed but it didn’t look like he was here anymore.
“Oh I know the puppy your talking about.” He said immediately, “He’s still here, in isolation.”
Isolation? I thought. Following him into another building I was led to a small glass containment. That puppy I had wondered about for three weeks was in front of me. He wasn’t any puppy I had ever seen, he was huddled in the back in a tight ball. Looking out of the cage but not seeing anything. He had completely checked out.
I asked what was wrong, and the worker told me he had been picked up as a stray first, adopted but a week later he was owner surrendered they said he was sickly, lethargic, had worms and was going to die soon, as such he had been in isolation since he arrived. My sympathy for sick dogs is great but I knew with my min. wage job there was no way I could afford him. I was betting that he was a wonderful puppy if not for the illness, it was too bad I wouldn’t be able to see it. Before I left something told me to talk to the vet on staff though, when she walked in I asked about his medication and what his survival chances were. To my surprise, she frowned, “Survival chances? That’s a perfectly healthy dog. I’ve checked everything on that puppy, besides a little kennel cough he got when he first arrived there is nothing wrong with him.”
I asked why he was in isolation then, and she told me it was shelter policy for reportedly sick animals. He was scheduled to be released to the general population in the next three days unfortunately, the next day he was scheduled for euthanasia.
I looked at the puppy more confused now, “So, he’s healthy then why is he acting like he isn’t?”
The vet shrugged, “I don’t know but I assure you, he is healthy.”
The worker advised me to give up on him if that were true, but I wanted to see the puppy in him. I asked if I could take him out.
In a little visitation room we sat together. Literally. I thought now in some grass he would open up a bit but he didn’t. He walked towards the nearest corner, sat down curled up away from me and stared. I spent the next hour just sitting beside him petting his back. Finally I had to pick up my friend. I left him thinking he might not be for me.
The next day, I got a call from work to take the day off. I found myself right back at the shelter asking about that puppy. Once again I took him outside. Once again he went to the corner and sat there, and I sat with him for an hour petting him.
The next day after that was my day off. Guess where I found myself? By now the same staff worker I met on the first day was shaking his head with a smile, “You minus well adopt him. Its obvious your attached.” I said that I was trying to learn his personality. At the door to the isolation room we both watched in shock. The little puppy who was always staring out of the cage listlessly, had now perked up at my arrival. He sat up and started to wag his tail just a little bit. The worker said, “He’s yours now.”
Once again outside, when I set him down this time he sniffed at the toys just a little bit and sat by my leg. While I was in love at the first sight of him, now I realized I absolutely couldn’t leave him to die. I did leave him again, but that night I talked to my mom about him. I thought for sure she would say “No more dogs.” but looking at his picture she laughed, “He looks like one of those dogs from the greeting cards.” I knew it was permission to give him a test trial.
I arrived the next day at the shelter and the staff was asking if this would be the day I picked up my dog. “Yep!” I said. I had arrived just as they had moved into the general population. I found him outside curled against the back of the gate looking out listlessly. When I pet his head he wagged his tail just a bit like before and I knew he really was my dog.
Upon arriving home, it took a week for him to adjust and really come out of his shell. I named him Whisper for his calm demeanor. I never had a single problem with housebreaking, gnawing, or whining. The puppy and Buzz got along in a comical way. Sadly, eight months later Buzz passed away in the dead of night while in my arms. It hurt a lot, too much but I think before he went he passed his baton onto the puppy.
It has been a year now, and my little puppy grew into a handsome dog. I find it funny the “sickly” puppy is now a comical energetic (but never over the top) clingy dog full of life. I can’t even picture how life would be like without my Whisper.
Forums Motto:
Velco-Puppy
The Groups I'm In:
..:: Herding Breeds Association ::.., Raw Fed
The Last Forum I Posted In:
Kudos to My Pet Carnivore
I've Been On Dogster Since:
Rosette, Star and Special Gift History
Dogster Id:
1228127
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The Dog Show: Who's Your Mama?
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