When Carson was just a year old, he was placed on the euthanasia list. You might wonder why.
This isn’t about the charm of this lovely dog, but rather about the overcrowding in shelters.
Many dogs, like Carson, face death weekly because the shelters in Coachella Valley are overwhelmed with abandoned and surrendered pets.
Thankfully, The Animal Rescue Center Of California intervened just in time, saving Carson from a tragic fate.
Saved Just Before Euthanasia
Just one hour before he was set to be euthanized, Kirk Geiger from The Animal Rescue Center Of California showed up at the shelter to save Carson.
Without Kirk’s immediate action, this stunning Shepherd mix would no longer be with us.
At that time, Carson was just slightly over one year old, neutered, microchipped, vaccinated, and friendly with other dogs. It was heartbreaking to almost lose him when he had so much affection to share.
Kirk took the enthusiastic Carson on his freedom ride from the desert to the ocean where his foster family awaited.
Throughout the 2 and a half hour drive to his foster home, Carson was an absolute gentleman. He snoozed in his crate, enjoyed some tunes, and demonstrated impeccable behavior.
Upon Kirk’s arrival, Sarah, the foster mom, was eagerly anticipating Carson’s introduction. The moment she laid eyes on this lovely dog, she fell head over heels.
A Heartfelt Foster Success
Carson, now lovingly referred to as Chuck, quickly became an integral part of the family. His foster parents, John and Sarah, adored him deeply, and Chuck felt completely at home.
Chuck soon became the proud mascot for John’s baseball team, and during Sarah’s battles with cancer, he was there to offer comfort and affection.
While John and Sarah were eager to adopt Chuck, their other dog wasn’t quite ready for a new sibling.
They persevered and continued to encourage positive interactions between both dogs. After months of patience, one day, they finally achieved harmony.
From that day forward, the bond between the two dogs grew stronger until they became the best of friends. Though the journey wasn’t easy, in the end, Sarah and John officially adopted Charlie “Chuck” Moose.
Chuck has transitioned from being on death row to leading a joyous life surrounded by a caring family.
This is what Sarah, Chuck’s mom, shared about the experience of adoption:
“It’s been a little over a year since we decided to happily fail at being a foster and become a family with 2 adopted dogs. I can truly say – best failure EVER. We hoped (so hard) that once our older dog, Callie, “okayed” him to stay, they would become bff’s, and they truly are the best of friends! We could not be happier with the decision to keep him. But please understand, there was a lot of WORK put in and TIME dedicated for our older dog to adapt to a new dog. It wasn’t overnight, it took 4.5 months for our dog to even consider trusting him. Some dogs just take more time, and some might never accept a new “pack member”, but please don’t give up on a foster just because it hasn’t “settled in” after a week.”
Chuck’s future is now filled with peace and happiness, all thanks to his wonderful pawrents.
To assist The Animal Rescue Center Of California in saving more dogs from euthanasia, please visit their website to donate or register for fostering.
