Second Chance: Missy Missing a Home

08 Feb Second Chance: Missy Missing a Home

You know those emotional, yet heart-warming animal stories which begin with hardships and end happily-ever-after through what appears, at first glance, to be divine intervention? Well, I don’t yet have one of those stories. But I want one, so I hijacked this week’s Second Chance Pet Column in hopes of finding my little miracle.

Missy

My name is Missy. I will begin with the initial hardship part…

I am about three-years-young and have been homeless most of my life. The first few months, I was, at best, “neglected,” but I escaped and lived in a church parking lot for three or so months.   Well-meaning people attempted to catch me to no avail, not knowing that my history had made me rather timid around strangers. I eventually became desperate enough to give in.

My story gets better since arriving here as Second Chance. Through the help of foster homes and a very intense rehabilitation plan developed by the shelter staff, I have made incredible progress.  But I remain shy around strangers.

As afraid as I was of new people in those beginning months, I have never growled or shown an ounce of aggression – that is just not who I am. So despite being super good around other dogs, cats, kids, and all humans, I have been overlooked by many many adopters.

I have now been with Second Chance for over two years and am desperately yearning for a home of my own. I would settle for foster care for starters. That would give me a more home-like environment to better prepare me for a long-term adoption.

I gain confidence around other dogs, so a home with another dog who needs a companion would be ideal. I am housetrained and have good manners. I just need more socialization and confidence building.

Not one to try to steal the spotlight, I would also like to share this Pet Column with Caprice.

Caprice

Caprice is a five-ish-year-old feline and, although fortunate to have had a great home for most of her life, sadly became homeless when her guardian passed away. She and the other four kitties in the house had to fend for themselves for awhile, before being discovered and brought to Second Chance.

Like me, Caprice and the others were all painfully shy and spent most of their time hiding. But no longer. A few months of rehab and enrichment and Caprice and her roommates now approach people and seek attention. Caprice will climb up on your lap and cuddle as long as you allow. She also  does well with other cats and is fine with dogs too.

Both of our bad-luck stories are just ripe for happy endings – and Valentine’s Day would be the perfect time for us to enjoy the love of a new and forever family.

Editor’s note: It’s no secret. The Telluride region is dog heaven. Well, pet heaven. Unless you are one of our furry friends who gets caught in the maw of neglect and abuse. Then heaven is on hold until Second Chance Humane Society comes to the rescue. Second Chance is the region’s nonprofit dedicated to saving animals’ lives and promoting responsible pet parenting and human-animal bond. In her weekly blog, executive director Kelly Goodin profiles at least one, generally two of the many animals now living at the no-kill shelter, Angel Ridge Shelter, a dog and a cat, hoping to find them loving permanent homes. The column is sponsored by Ted Hoff of Cottonwood Ranch & Kennel, who from time to time exercises his skills as a dog whisperer, partnering with Kelly and her staff to help train a particularly challenging animal.

Ted Hoff &  Magnificent Mae

By the by, there is no better place to park your pup or get your pup (or adult dog) trained than Cottonwood whenever you head out of town (for locals) or are heading to town and staying somewhere that does not allow pets. Consider joining Ted’s Very Important Dog (VID) Club for added benies. (Details on Ted’s website.)

Dr. Michelle and Wallowby