Worth wait the
It was no surprise that people weren’t lining up to adopt a dog who they couldn’t look at or touch, and who couldn’t be left alone.
HOW AN ‘UNADOPTABLE’ DOG FINALLY FOUND HER PEOPLE
It would have been tempting to label Brownie “unadoptable.” But in the 36 years since Best Friends began, one truth has been proven time and again: There’s a person for every pet. And that includes Brownie.
When she arrived at Best Friends in Los Angeles six years ago, she had such debilitating separation anxiety that she would hurt herself if left alone. She also took a long time to feel comfortable around new people, and when she was uncomfortable, she’d scream. Loudly.
Staff tried everything possible to relieve her anxiety and prevent her from hurting herself. They learned that she loves car rides and fast food. They moved her into a staff person’s office. And they kept her to a predictable routine. She even started to make friends, but it had to be on her terms. “If you were finally accepted by Brownie, it would be the most rewarding day of your career,” says Brittany Sorgenstein, a manager at the center. “She would come up to you and place her paw on your leg or your hand. You would not be allowed to touch her or look at her, but you could sit still and just accept her tiny gesture.”
Brownie was safe and reasonably happy at the center, but it wasn’t home. And it was no surprise that people weren’t lining up to adopt a dog who they couldn’t look at or touch, and who couldn’t be left alone. So, for six years Brownie was the unofficial mascot at the Best Friends Lifesaving Center in Los Angeles. That is, until Jonathan and Elizabeth Bay came along.
“We seem to accidentally do hard things. It’s just who we are,” says Jonathan. They were interested in adopting a shiba inu dog, and since Brownie is likely part shiba inu, they were intrigued. They weren’t scared off by her quirks, and didn’t change their minds when Brownie screamed when they met her. Instead, they brought her home.
It’s the right fit for Brownie. She needed a home without other pets, with people who have lots of patience, kind hearts and the ability to embrace challenges. Her story proves, yet again, that there’s a person for every pet.