From one of our dedicated volunteers and foster moms, Meryl shares her story about one little mutt that stole her heart named Velma….
Two years ago (almost exactly), Muttville received a call from a local shelter. A stray dog was found – she was described as “timid, distracted and very stressed”, how could Muttville say no? I didn’t know all of this when I went to Muttville the next week to pick up a new foster dog. I had been busy, so when I went to headquarters I also hadn’t read her description online –“sad, sweet Velma Lou”. What I did know was that when I walked in the room, several dogs came up to me, tails wagging, giving kisses, and one dog remained in the corner. She looked over, but didn’t seem interested in me; she was busy watching the other dogs. She let me approach her and sit with her, so I looked up at Sherri and said “this one”.
I ended up taking her home that day to foster, but also brought home a second foster as well. Velma Lou, Vels, Vel-belle, or VL followed this other dog around the house the first few hours. Mimicking her behaviors and putting trust in her – Velma, I quickly realized, was still learning how to be a dog, how to trust her instincts, and trust people. She loved eating, and boy, did she need food, but more than anything, she loved walks. She loved being outside – and I took her everywhere – she got to walk on the beaches up and down the CA coast, play in parks, go on hikes. While she hated being lifted up in the car, she loved that it always took her on new adventures.
Velma and I were always part of a trio, for months we had other foster dogs come in and out of our lives. Each one taught her new dog skills – to give kisses, to play with toys, to not pee indoors (!), to get bathed nicely, to sit on command – she was always kind and gentle when new dogs came in, and she also took on the role of showing them the house. She had a few interested adopters, but she was still very shy when it came to having people touch or hold her. I tried to explain the many other ways she shows her love (she will rub her head into those she trusts and even wags her little tail), but after seeing her interact with others, I knew that the inevitable was happening.
Two years later and Velma is curled up with me as I write this. She has grown so much, and now she continues to grow and learn as part of my family. We still foster other dogs, and every time a new dog walks through the door, she goes to greet them and teaches them what she has learned about trust. She wants everyone out there to know that yes, you can teach an old dog new tricks, it just may take some patience and a lot of love.
If you adopted a Muttville dog, we would love to feature you in an upcoming ‘Success Story’. Please contact success_stories@muttville.org with the Subject line ‘Success Story’
Adopt. Foster. Volunteer. Donate.
11/7/12
Are you the proud parent of a Muttville dog? Send us your story! Include three of your favorite photos and send it to success_stories@muttville.org with the subject line 'Success Story'.
