A dog is truly a man’s best friend, sticking with their humans through thick and thin. They’re always there to hold your hand. Their loyalty isn’t in question here—it’s ours. Are you, hooman, ready to be there for your dog? Are you prepared to hold your dog’s hand whenever they need it? The following story is about Dolly, a rescue dog who really needed a helping hand.
The Dog With An Unusual Habit
From the moment she arrived at the shelter, everyone knew she was a sweet girl who was even housebroken. So, why wasn’t a young dog like Dolly adopted right away? Time passed, day after day, and Dolly remained there. No one knows for sure, but the wonderful volunteers at the City of Buffalo Animal Shelter were convinced she would find her forever home. They believed their potential adopters overlooked her due to the black dog syndrome.
The black dog syndrome? Is that what I think it is? Unfortunately, yes. The black dog syndrome is a reality that many dark-colored dogs face in shelters. People often overlook these dogs, thinking they are not as visually appealing or even deemed dangerous. That couldn’t be further from the truth; it’s just a silly superstition. All dogs are equally valuable, and every shelter dog deserves a loving home.
Dolly considered herself lucky. While she hadn’t yet found a family, she did meet her foster mom, Katie. When Katie first brought Dolly home, she was shy and lacking confidence. However, it didn’t take long for Katie to connect with her and help her blossom into a confident dog who loves her new life. Alongside being fun-loving and sweet, Katie discovered that Dolly has a unique habit: she insists on holding hands!
It all began when Katie wanted to teach Dolly the “paw” command; Dolly enjoyed it so much that she kept raising her paw for attention. It became her request for extra cuddles with Katie. As Katie shared, “Then it turned into if I was sitting down, she would jump up on the bed or couch and sit next to me, instantly putting 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 eagerly calls shotgun, holding her paw up as if seeking emotional support during the journey.
Paw In Hand Makes A Difference
The black dog syndrome is a widespread issue across the United States, not just at the City of Buffalo Animal Shelter. It’s time to discard such unfounded beliefs and adopt dogs of all colors, coat types, breeds, and genders. Shelter statistics paint a devastating picture each year. While the saving rate in New York is 90.6%, there’s always room for improvement. Unfortunately, states like Texas and California have a saving rate that is drastically lower at 76.7%.
Not many dogs like Dolly receive a second chance or a loving foster mom who helps meet their needs and helps find them a forever home. Dolly is indeed a fortunate girl; she has someone to snuggle with, bring her treats, and work diligently for her future. Most importantly, she has someone to hold her paw.
Consider how many dogs never experience the simple joy of having someone to hold their paw!
Will you be the one to reach out and offer your hand? Because a paw in hand 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
