Jake's Story
by Joni Steinbach, Adoption Agent
Jake was part of the Brown
County Humane Society the summer
and fall of 2000. He was a 1 year old Shepard mix. A nice
friendly
dog but unruly and not very adoptable. This is when we got the idea
to use the "Gentle Leader"
training collar on him and some other
dogs we had that were also undisciplined. We started with
some "sit stays", heel exercises and worked with them regularly.
After a few months, the other dogs had all found homes except
for Jake. But, since we had him longer, we were able to advance
in his training to a "down stay" and a trick - he learned to
"shake!"
Soon fall was here so we decided to take him to the big
Halloween party at Pet Expo and try to show him off there. Well,
Jake was ready to put his best paw forward! It was like he knew this
was his big chance to show what he had learned and maybe find a home.
We showed him off every chance we got. He performed his "sit
stays"
and "down stays" like a pro! Soon he caught the eye of a man and
his
daughter. For the girl, I think it was love at first sight! But they
also
liked the fact that they could adopt a dog that already had some
obedience training and knew some disciplines. Personally, I think it was
the "shake" that cinched the deal - it usually does!
So this was it - Jake had
finally found a home! All the lonely days
and months of living in a kennel were in the past - this was
a new beginning!
When we did the adoption
paperwork for Jake the next day, they
promised me they would bring him to next years Halloween party.
I had forgotten all about that promise until, while I was working with
some other dogs at this years party, I felt a tap on my shoulder
and who was there? Jake and his family! He had filled out a
little
and gotten a bit taller but he still had those same cute little brown
accents on his face and chest and that nice smile!
It choked me up a little but I was so
happy to see him with his
family and looking so good.
We had Jake for a while at the
humane society (I still have his
Thursday's Pet ad on my fridge) so I'm not afraid to admit that I was
a little attached to him. I wonder if he still remembers me?
But the reward of all this hard work and love is to see these pets
later that you have found good homes for.
So, I'm happy to say that Jake,
the once unruly little Shepard mix
is doing fine with his new family near St. Peter. Maybe I'll see
him again at next year party!
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