Dublin

Two years ago today, which was a Sunday, after partying it up for Halloween in terrible costumes, we got up early and headed out to Petsmart in Rockville for a lab rescue event. The day before we'd been forwarded a list of the dogs available for adoption that day. Dublin (aka Fergie) was one of the ones we were most interested in meeting. She was the first one we met that day and the one we ended up taking home. We spent the next three days in a state of what-the-heck-have-we-gotten-ourselves-into as her terrible separation anxiety manifested itself. The foster home she was in had another dog and someone home most of the time so they had no idea. After talking to a bunch of people including receiving outreach from the L.R.P.C. we knew it was just a matter of figuring out what worked best for her. We were determined to keep her and make it work although being the neighbor in a condo building with the barking dog is a tough position to be in. Fortunately everyone was really nice about it. And all she really needed was some TLC, training and mostly time. After a little over a year on medication to dilute her anxiety we took her off of the meds. We carefully created a routine in which she recognizes that she is being left alone but doesn't try to run to the door with us because somewhere in her cute little head she seems to know we're coming back.

So here's the thing, most rescued dogs are going to come with some baggage. It's to be expected, they've likely been through a lot. Ours came out of a shelter in Norfolk after being abandoned and having puppies while "on the street". She spent time alone and didn't like it. You can't blame her for that. Rescue dogs are also some of the most loving and caring animals around. People amaze at how well-behaved our dog is. She doesn't bark when people come to the door. She never once has jumped up on any guests we've had come over. Her "path of destruction" has included meerly one paperback book, a photocopied packet of condo documents and a handful of empty cardboard boxes. Needless to say she is a good dog, even with her quirks. It was tough at first but I don't think I would go back and do anything differently. She is the dog I am glad to have in our lives. I hope she stays with us for a long time.