Tails of a Shelter Dog -- Bo

Tails of a Shelter Dog - Bo

Preface:
As a volunteer dog walker at the Somerset Regional Animal Shelter (SRAS) in Bridgewater I find myself evaluating each dog during the time I spend with them. I consider the humans that might be suited for their disposition and temperament: are they calm when they watch the soccer games on the field, or do they want to run out on the field to play? Are they curious about the antics going on at the kids’ playground or do they walk on by? Do they notice other dogs out and about and how do they react? Are they looking at me when I talk to them or are they distracted? If I sit on the bench do they want to sit up with me and cuddle or is their attention elsewhere? It’s fun to consider each of them and think about a human, or a couple, or a family that would be a good fit for their personalities and characteristics. Kinda like matchmaking I guess.

I also tend to see a dog’s perspective through the lens of a child. There are many similarities between the two if you think about it. Dogs and children don’t need much, just the basic necessities: food, water, shelter, love, affection, attention, protection, security, and maybe a toy or two to keep them stimulated and busy. They both want to learn the rules in a way that helps them feel confident when navigating the world. Each has their own preferences, quirks, personalities that make you want to laugh out loud or exasperate you to no end when they are ‘naughty’. They need to be attended to, picked up after, bathed, soothed, cared for when they are sick, and given positive reinforcement when they do ‘the right thing’. We, the adults in the room, need to be their wise, competent teachers to guide them as they learn.

One big difference, however, is that at some point children grow up to become independent, self-sufficient individuals. Dogs do not.

Over the months of volunteering, I see dozens of dogs and cats arrive and be adopted. As a volunteer there it’s hard to resist the cuteness overload of the puppies, the silly antics of the youthful dogs, the soulful eyes of the older ones – the individual endearing personalities and characteristics of them all. It’s why I enjoy it so much.

Every now and then, however, there’s a certain dog that grabs my heart and tugs at it until they find their own peaceful place to lay their head. If I didn’t already have a full house with two dogs and a cat, I’d adopt them in a hot second.

And so my heart hurts a little until they find that home….
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Bo
When hurricanes Helene and Milton made landfall across the southeastern United States in late September and early October lives were lost and properties were ruined. In its wake were thousands of people and animals displaced and without homes.

While the states scrambled to find ways to secure the safety and well-being of those devastated by the storms, the Somerset Regional Animal Shelter (SRAS) was reaching out to find ways to rescue animals already in shelters and bring them to safe haven in New Jersey. Through the organized and coordinated efforts along the way with pickup and delivery transports, in mid October, eight dogs and 10 cats safely arrived at SRAS to be vetted and placed up for adoption in our local communities.

I was at the shelter for my Saturday shift not too long after the dogs and cats had safely arrived from Fort Myers, FL, and, through this chain of events, I met Bo.

I immediately fell in love.

The minute I peered into his crate and coaxed him to go for a walk his wistful eyes tugged at my heart. After our 30 minute walk together he had my whole heart.

When you look at Bo, he’s that all-American looking dog. Light reddish brown fur, curly tail, not too big, not too small, just right. He’s attentive, wants to have a person (or family) to adore and who adore(s) him, wants to cuddle right up to you, aims to please by showing what a smart, good boy he is with a paw shake, a sit, or a down, and to simply have a comfortable place to lay and dream sweet dreams.

I’m not sure how to explain why one is so drawn to someone or something. The heart feels what the heart feels.
Each night before going to bed, I check the shelter Facebook pages to see which animals have been adopted that day. While I’m thrilled for the cats, dogs, bunnies, guinea pigs, or other fur critters that find their homes, my heart drops a beat when I see that Bo is still patiently waiting.

I know Bo’s forever person(s) is/are out there. Whoever is lucky enough to catch his love will be very lucky indeed. They just don’t know it yet.

As I write this, I will continue to spend time with him on Saturday afternoon walks and enjoy his company. Until his day arrives. And, Bo, it will. It will.

(At the time of this publication, Bo is still patiently waiting for his forever home…)

If you’d like to help Bo and other pets on their journey to a better future, go to www.srasnj.org to donate (or to view our other wonderful pets!).