Diesel
Sunday, November 18, 2012
By: Chelsea Kenton

A successful adoption from the Humane Society after many challenges.

I went with my old roommate to the Humane Society just to see the dogs. She was set on getting one, but I only went to browse. We lived in an apartment and so tried to stick to getting a smaller dog. But after viewing a million Chihuahuas and Rat Terriers, I was ready to call it a day. It was a slow day during the week so the gentleman allowed us to look at one more, and she wanted to see the Husky. Long story short, he came home with us.
At the Humane Society they informed us that during his testing he was unable to be crated and risked hurting himself if they left him in for the allotted time. So kenneling him when we weren't home wasn't an option. I did the obedience classes with him because I know growing up with dogs does not make you an expert. You may notice that we turned into I, because he became my dog when she realized it meant taking responsibility.
After over 17 sets of blinds, two couches, a window sill, some carpet, and a couple doors were destroyed, I was completely unsure of how to handle the situation and beyond frustrated. Also if there was a chance he could slip through a door, he'd take it. After countless incidents of roommates letting him out or him jumping fences and escaping, I felt I could no longer handle those moments of panic when you fear never seeing your dog again or something horrible happening to him.
Huskies are known as being stubborn and intelligent. Most dogs end up in the pound between 6 and 18 months and that's exactly when I got him. Even though my apartment and belongings had been destroyed, and a logical person would have taken him back, I refused to. About six chaotic months after getting him, I came across a woman who had to re-home a puppy she had just gotten. Her infant son had a severe allergic reaction that led to hospitalization and she was unsure of where to turn. On the ride to pick up the puppy, Diesel was doing his usual barking and panicking in the back of the car. The introductions went well so I put them both in the back of the car. The car ride home was silent.
This puppy became his shadow and he became her protector. She would chew on him and crawl on him, but he had nothing but patience. He's calmed down significantly and we have seen none of his previous behaviors. As it turns out they're too busy chewing on each other to chew on anything else. And he is now crate trained. I got the crate for her, but he was the first to go in it. It's his way of escaping from her.
The moral of the story is, that just because you adopt a dog and bring it home, doesn't mean that's a happy ending. Many people adopt a dog and feel no other option than to bring it back. Many times the dogs have behavioral problems and anxiety that can make a living situation difficult. But when you adopt a dog, you adopt all the responsibility, moments of panic, but also the love that comes with it. Sometimes it takes a lot of work and patience and you have to create the happy ending.