Another Great CFC Dog Comes Home!

Members of the staff of Caring For Creatures were at Walton Mountain Farm Market for an event in November of 1992, when someone came over and told Mary Birkholz, the president, that there was a dog in the orchard across the street that was lost and quite pregnant. Mary went over and got the dog, which was later named Taffy, and brought her to CFC. Taffy gave birth to five puppies, all of whom were adopted except for one. The last, unadopted puppy was named Satin, for her soft, furry, coat. Satin is 13 years old and will be 14 years old in November 2006.

Satin has never lived in a private home. Thankfully, she had a place to stay at Caring For Creatures for the duration of her life, if need be, with a staff of people who worked with her and gave her love. Satin gets along with other dogs, cats and loves everyone. This story is about Satin, but speaks to so many dogs, in shelters, who find themselves in similar circumstances.

Adoption Day!

3 pm: Can’t wait! This is the day I am driving over to CFC to pick up Satin! This is the perfect day for a new adoption, because my husband and I will be home over the next few days to observe Satin closely. I fill out the paperwork; receive some food from the CFC staff so that I can gradually transition Satin over to the brand of dog food I feed at home. I brought a leash; she will wear her CFC collar until I buy another one for her. The staff says good-bye (but not for long, we live 15 minutes from CFC and Satin can come to visit). Satin walks to my car, I place her in the passenger side and off we go to her new home!

4 pm: Arrive home. I take Satin for a walk (this is all so new and different for her); just in case she felt a little anxious and had to relieve herself. The other dogs (six in all) are crated or in the living room. I pick Satin up to take her inside and go directly to the master bathroom. I want Satin to stay there so she can gradually get to know the other dogs, the cat, and feel secure in a smaller space. There is a baby gate on the doorway, so we can see her and she can see us from the bedroom. A water bowl is available to her. We add 10 drops of “New Beginnings”, a flower essence from Green Hope Farm. We will add “New Beginnings” to Satin’s water bowl every day for 14 days. At night, if she is restless, we’ll know because the master bathroom is right off the bedroom. My husband and I will keep a close watch over Satin for at least the first week, longer, if need be.

5 pm: Wouldn’t you know it, a storm is approaching. In the distance, we can hear thunder and lightening. To be sure Satin is not upset by the storm; we turn on a floor fan and the television as a distraction. The storm is brief and Satin is fine.

6 pm: We offer Satin a light supper, which she is not interested in. Not a problem, she ate at CFC in the morning and by tomorrow morning, I expect she’ll feel more comfortable in her new surroundings and be ready to eat. I brush and comb Satin. It’s a great “bonding” activity for both owner and pet!

7 pm: We are taking Satin out for walks every two hours. The other dogs are very interested in her. As we take her back and forth through the house, we start introductions with the other dogs, as well as start to walk her with another dog. Soon after, it is obvious that Satin is getting along with everyone and they are ready to accept her. Still, we keep “meeting: times short, move slowly, and let the process unfold gradually. No need to rush!

11 pm: It’s bedtime for everyone, and that includes dogs. Satin stays in the master bathroom, which has been “dog proofed”. The throw rugs have been taken up, her water bowl is readily available, and I’ve put a bed down for her to lie on, she has some toys that the other dogs brought over for her. Satin seems comfortable. Bedtime is treat time at our house and we quickly learn that Satin loves treats!

The Next Day:

6 am: Back outside to keep up with the every two hours schedule of walks. No accidents! Breakfast time, Satin eats a little, but doesn’t finish her meal. That’s OK, some of our dogs are on a twice a day feeding schedule.

No problems all day. Satin learns that if you go to the front door, someone will take you outside. That seems kind of cool! The other dogs are adjusting nicely to a new resident and Satin is soaking up the attention from animals and humans alike.

We are still slowly transitioning Satin to her new food. She is eating well. We give her lots of attention, and do the same for the other pets. The cat sleeps with Satin, but then, the cat rules the house.

Under careful supervision, we allow Satin to explore the house. Everything is so new and different, she loves looking in every corner. She paces around the house, probably a little anxious, but settles down by the next day.

Day Three:

My husband and I both have to go to work today. Satin is in the master bathroom while we are away. I come home to let everyone out a noontime. No accidents. Satin has a leash walk and time with the others before she has to go back to her “room”. After work, I am delighted to see that Satin still has no accidents, knows to relieve herself outside, and has decided to eat her full bowl of food. There are dog toys that the others have left all over the house. The others enjoy having someone new to play with. Satin is popular because Satin is fun!

As the days go by… 

My husband and I have made the commitment to Satin to be consistent and clear, loving and dedicated, and provide for her needs, physical and emotional. We know that it will take time and energy for real bonding and to help Satin understand the household routines. However long it takes, we will make this transition work!

Is this story unique? Not in my experience. 

Just because an animal has never had a home, it doesn’t mean that the animal can’t adjust to a new home and love it. Was it a difficult transition? Not to my mind. Do we consider this experience to be a success? Definitely!

And what better heart-warming satisfaction can one have than to know you gave a home to an animal that would not have known what it was to walk on carpeted floors, lay on a couch or in a chair, and see humans preparing dinner in a kitchen that they can call their own? Satin, at 13 years old, is still excited to learn about a television set, a vacuum cleaner, watch her humans do laundry, and participate as a family member in all the small everyday events that make a home, a home. Our “new” dog is older, but at least she will not leave this world without knowing the love of a family, both animal and human, and a house to call hers.