Second Chance: Missy is Missing Out

04 Apr Second Chance: Missy is Missing Out

For 12 years now, Second Chance Pet Column has been a weekly blog about humane care, training and bonding with pets.  This story marks column #613.  The prior 612 columns were all written by shelter pets. But not today. Today I took the keyboard away from the furry paws because I wanted to write about Missy, a dog who needs extra help finding her forever home.

Missy

Missy is a special girl here at Second Chance. She arrived in November of 2015. Yep, that is 2.5 years ago, making her the longest “term” resident at the shelter. Missy is a gorgeous Chesapeake Bay mix with beautiful golden eyes. 

Here is what Missy wrote about herself when she was last featured in the Pet Column:

My name is Missy. I will begin with the initial hardship part…I am about three-years- young and have been homeless for the majority of that time. The first few months of my life I was “neglected” at best until 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 quite timid around strangers. I was eventually desperate enough to let them catch me.

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 and it takes me a long time to bond with people.

So despite being super good around other dogs, cats, kids and all humans, I have been overlooked by many many adopters. I was adopted once, but that didn’t turn out all that well: I was returned after about six months. I think the folks who adopted me were too eager for me to be like other dogs and wanted me to bond faster than my comfort levels would allow.

I gain confidence around other dogs, so a home with another dog (or more) who needs a companion would be ideal. I am house-trained and have good manners – I just need more socialization and confidence building.

The Second Chance staff fully believe in Missy. We feel she is adoptable and just hasn’t found the right, super special person to understand that Missy may never be the kind of dog who will run to your arms to greet you when you arrive home – although she does now approach the staff for treats and short pets. But Missy still needs someone to be her person.

As mentioned Missy is great with other dogs. So much so that she is often used as a “mentor dog” with dog newcomers at the shelter. She takes them under her wing (perhaps she is part angel?) and guides them and helps them to relax into the shelter routine. It’s a beautiful thing for such a timid dog to be so gentle with others.

In closing, we are seeking adopters who have the depth of patience and understanding that Missy requires.

We know you are out there somewhere…

Thanks for reading,

Kelly Goodin, Executive Director

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 with Cabella & Wilbur

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.)

Second Chance Humane Society Animal Resource Center and Thrift Shop are both located in Ridgway, but service San Miguel, Ouray & Montrose Counties. Call the SCHS Helpline at 626-2273 to report a lost pet, learn about adopting a homeless pet, or about the SCHS Spay/Neuter, Volunteer, Feral Cat, or other Programs. View the shelter pets and services online: www.adoptmountainpets.org

Vetting the Vet: Dr. Michelle Dally, DVM, J.D. is Medical Director of Second Chance Humane Society. She also has a private practice, Dally Veterinary Medicine, 333 S. Elizabeth Street, Ridgway, Colorado. Her service area is  San Miguel Mesas, Placerville, Ridgway, Ouray, and Montrose. For more on Dr. Dally, go here.

Michelle & Wallowby