Shadow's Fund

1 day ago

Everyone says "it takes a village". That could not be more true for Tia, a 6 yr old dog that has spent the last 1.5 years in our local shelter and quite desperately needs the village to help her.

Maybe you've seen some of our posts with cute pictures of her, hoping to snag the attention of the family that she was just meant to be with. Now it's time to just cut through the cuteness and share with you exactly how dire and desperate the situation is.

Tia's first months in the shelter were just fine. In fact, she was described as a great dog and a staff favorite, and was chosen to be the office dog on many occasions.

Then Tia needed surgery on her back leg and that's about the time her story takes a turn. All of Tia's shelter friends did their best but sometimes you have to set aside good intentions and try to look at life from the dog's perspective.

Tia had surgery to repair a ruptured cruciate ligament. Pretty common in active dogs, but quite uncomfortable and a tough recovery of 8-12 weeks of crate rest. Following surgery Tia was in and out of foster homes. She was on pain meds and some additional meds to help her stay calm and more sedate during her post surgery recovery. She was probably physically uncomfortable, a little big foggy from the meds and unsure why she was in a home being cared for by a family and then back in a shelter kennel, and then back in a home and then back in a shelter kennel. Physically she was uncomfortable. Mentally she was likely a bit foggy and more than a bit stressed. Emotionally . . . she was trusting and bonding and then losing that bond and trust.

Maybe I need to say at this point, again, that everyone was only trying to help Tia. Unfortunately, the "system" isn't really designed to meet a dog's long term physical, mental and emotional needs and for Tia - a perfect storm resulted in her suffering in every one of those ways at the same time.

And now . . . Tia is struggling. The great dog that entered the shelter is exhibiting behaviors that reflect a dog who has not coped well with the system. She needs stability, quiet, and more than anything a person who will give her a minute to decompress and find her way back to some balance.

She needs to be the only dog and she needs a quite home. Adults only. Some of the shelter staff have taken her home for shelter breaks and report back that she is calm, happy and mostly just wants to curl up and sleep.

Shadow's Fund is committed to helping Tia find and live her best life. For us, that doesn't mean finding a nice family and walking away. If you are willing to give her a chance you will have our full support for life. We will help you, help her. We can guide you on how to help Tia settle and build trust. We can provide assistance with training when you and she are ready for that, if its needed. In other words, we're part of her village - for life. We just need someone with a quiet home, a big heart and a willingness to let Tia take the time she needs to come back.

Our adoption process is never "meet and take home" so please don't feel like reaching out means a commitment. We start with a conversation and after that we'll do as many meets and playdates as it takes for everyone to feel comfortable moving forward.

Please consider Tia and please share her. She is reaching the point where staying in the shelter will no longer be a humane option for her. We don't have a whole lot of time to help. We need everyone to come together and be the miracle she has been waiting for. ... See MoreSee Less