A dog is truly a man’s best friend. These kind-hearted animals are there for their humans through thick and thin, always ready to hold your hand. Their loyalty is unquestionable, but what about ours? Are we, as humans, prepared to be there for our dogs? Are we ready to hold their paws whenever they need us?
The following story is about Dolly, a rescue dog who truly needed a helping hand.
The Dog With An Unusual Habit
From the moment Dolly entered the shelter, her sweet nature was apparent. Even house-trained, she wasn’t adopted that day. Days turned into weeks, but the dedicated volunteers at the City of Buffalo Animal Shelter believed she would soon find her furever home. However, potential adopters often overlooked her due to the unfortunate reality known as the black dog syndrome.
What exactly is the black dog syndrome? Unfortunately, it’s a reality where dark-colored dogs get overlooked in shelters. People often pass by them in favor of more colorful or popular breeds, feeding into a superstition that black dogs are less appealing or even dangerous. However, this could not be further from the truth: all dogs are equally deserving of love and a forever home. Luckily for Dolly, while she may still be waiting for a family, she found a caring foster mom named Katie. This was a step toward the happy ending she deserves.
When Katie first brought Dolly home, the shy dog lacked confidence. But with Katie’s love and care, Dolly flourished into a vibrant, confident pooch who enjoys her new routine. One of the most endearing habits Katie discovered was Dolly’s need to hold paws!
It all started when Katie attempted to teach Dolly the command “paw.” Dolly enjoyed it so much that she continually reached up for more attention and cuddles. As Katie describes,
“Then it turned into if I was sitting down she would jump up on the bed or couch and sit next to me and instantly put her paw out for me to hold. She is just so desperate for my attention and affection. She especially loves doing it in the car for some reason.”
Whenever Katie starts the car, Dolly happily claims shotgun, lifting her paw as if seeking emotional support during the ride.
Paw In Hand Makes A Difference
The black dog syndrome is a widespread issue across the U.S., not just in the City of Buffalo Animal Shelter. It’s time to dispel these myths and embrace all dogs, regardless of their color, coat type, breed, or gender.
Shelter statistics are tragic each year. Although New York’s saving rate stands at 90.6%, there is still room for improvement. In contrast, states like Texas and California have considerably lower saving rates, at only 76.7%.
Many dogs like Dolly do not receive a second chance. Few are lucky enough to find attentive foster moms who cater to their needs and assist them in finding their forever homes. Dolly is fortunate; she has someone to snuggle with, enjoys treats, and is working toward a bright future. Most importantly, she has someone to hold her paw.
Consider how many dogs out there never get the comfort of someone holding their paw.
Will you be the one to reach out and offer your hand? Because a paw in hand truly makes a difference today, tomorrow, and forever.
Sources:
|1| HJ Svoboda, CL Hoffman. Investigating the role of coat colour, age, sex, and breed on outcomes for dogs at two animal shelters in the United States. (2023). DOI
