Charlotte

Charlotte is a Chocolate Lab who was written off as unadoptable by the staff at the Lawrence Humane Society. She would generally get very nervous when first meeting new canine friends, and that nervousness would often result in some barking with her hair standing on end. The staff insisted that she was dog aggressive, and they took her out of the adoption area of the shelter so she wouldn't have as much interaction with the other dogs. They would have euthanized her, but my friend and fellow volunteer JoAnna came to Charlotte's rescue.

JoAnna worked with Charlotte for months, going to the shelter every day to walk her and work on her doggy social skills. Every day she encouraged Charlotte's positive interaction with other dogs and corrected her negative behavior. Then finally last week, a family saw Charlotte on Petfinder and came to visit her. They had another dog, and with JoAnna's help the dogs were successfully introduced. Charlotte was nervous at first, but within just a few minutes Charlotte and her new friend were romping and playing in the yard together! Once her adoption was approved, Charlotte jumped right into the back of the car like she'd been friends with the other dog forever! Now she's a happy girl with a new loving family and a wonderful canine sister, and it's all thanks to JoAnna, who stepped in to save her life when she was merely misunderstood!

Charlotte in the backseat on her way home from the shelter.

Charlotte playing with her new sister at her new home.

Charlotte learning to retrieve from her sister.

Charlotte's new family said that after just a few days Charlotte was already way more relaxed and happy than when she first arrived at home. So many dogs of the dogs I've known and fostered have behaved like a completely different dogs after leaving the stressful environment of the shelter. The staff there usually looks for the worst in them and never really tries to see them for the wonderful dogs they will become if given the chance. Thankfully, there are volunteers like JoAnna who look for the best in every dog and go to the extra lengths to save them!