Sheldon’s Family
One Dog, Sheldon. One Couple, Dave and Sue. A match made in heaven!
Hi, remember me, Sheldon? I was labeled aggressive and fearful at the shelter and was the one that was charging and barking at my new foster dad when he was looking at me. Well, he saw something special in me and decided to rescue me with another dog named Ranger. I didn’t really like Ranger though and fought with him a couple times. I had a problem with other dogs and always wanted to challenge them but my foster dad worked with me and got me past that. I eventually started playing with them and discovered how fun that was.
I couldn’t figure out why my foster dad called me a project dog but realized it meant I had a lot of issues but he was committed to working with me to get me past them and help me become a good dog. Months went by and we continued training and working together to conquer my fears and insecurities. I was getting much better and it helped that I knew I was safe with my foster dad. One day, my foster dad took me to a park to meet with a couple who saw me on the website. They seemed to like me but they were worried about how I would get along with their three cats. So later that night, my foster dad and I went to their house to do a home visit and to meet their cats. I was really nervous because I wanted to get along with them but didn’t know how they would react to me. I can be as nice as I can but if they hiss at me, it’s going to scare me and make me defensive. Well, we didn’t really get along so it wasn’t the right home for me. I was okay with that because it would have been too stressful for me to try to get the cats to accept me. So the search continued for my forever family.
One day, my foster dad was talking to a nice couple on the phone who was interested in me. He told them my story and they didn’t think it would be a problem. They seemed to understand me and really wanted to meet me. So a meet and greet was set up at the park. My foster dad had a great feeling about this couple and was more nervous than I was when we got to the park. Once I walked up to them, I knew they were the one. My future mom was prepared with water, toys and a ball. They walked me around the park and I did very well. My foster dad gave us some alone time to bond but I could see him at the other side of the park, pacing and I knew he really wanted things to work out. I knew I had to make him proud of me and show him that he trained me right, from the beginning. Even though I was nervous, I knew all I had to do was be myself and this couple made it easy for me to do that. After a little while, my foster dad came back over to us to see how things were going. Jen said that I was doing really well which I really was! We spent another hour and a half playing ball, hanging out and getting to know each other. I was such a good boy even with all the distractions at the park and I must have really impressed them because they decided I was the dog they’ve been waiting for and they wanted me to adopt them as my family! I was relieved and happy but was also worried about my foster dad. I knew he loved me so much and he would miss me. We went through so much together and he helped me become the best dog I could be. He saw me at the shelter when others just passed me by. He saw past my fear and aggression because he knew it was only because the shelter was a very scary place and I didn’t know why I was there. He changed my life and showed me how it felt to be loved and gave me direction so I could become a wonderful dog. Before my adoption day, we had a heart to heart and he told me that I was going into a wonderful home and that I needed to be on my best behavior. He was really happy that I found my forever home but he was also so sad to let me go. He cried a lot with me because he cares and loves me so much.
That Friday, we loaded up the car and started the trip to my forever home. I was a little nervous because I did not want my foster dad to be upset about me leaving him and I was kinda sad because I loved him a lot and will miss him. We arrived at my new home and the couple was out in front waiting to welcome me. They were so happy and excited to see me! We went inside to see my new bed and to make sure everything checked out and it did. The adoption paperwork was completed and I was officially adopted. We then went outside to take a family photo of me and my new parents. I was thinking this is it, I need to be strong for my foster dad and make him proud of me. After the family photo, my new parents took me for a walk and I felt like I have been with them for years. We had a nice walk and when we got back, I was wondering where my foster dad was but I didn’t get scared because I knew he would always be there for me if I or my mom and dad ever needed anything. I miss him but I am so happy with my new family, they are the perfect match for me! Thank you daddy Tom, I will love you forever.