Shelter Dog – Rufus
Ten-year-old, neutered, well-mannered, house-trained Rufus has spent his life making everyone feel loved and appreciated. First it was his human mom and dad. Then it was a new addition to the family, a puppy named Harley, a pup who this older gentleman trained to be just as nice as he was. Rufus expected to live his life being comforter and companion.
But, within weeks of each other, both of Rufus’s people died. Rufus and Harley were left in the house. Rufus, the wise, older one, tried to be brave, for the youngster Harley, but nothing in the past prepared him for their situation or his sadness.
Finally, the sweet dogs made it to the shelter. There, they’ve shown the new people how grateful they are.
Arnold, the director explains, is the shelter’s “playful clown who loves everyone he meets.” His favorite position is a play bow. If someone looks at Arnold on the “Grant County News” webpage, and expands his color picture, she’ll see that, in addition to his smile covering his entire face, his tail wags so fast it’s a blur.
Ava is one of those pups who puzzle the staff. The 11-month-old, Border Collie-sized Australian Shepherd, seems to have been schooled. The tri-colored pup is housebroken, leash-trained and even knows commands. Still, someone who should have treasured her let her go, or even forced her to go. The friendly girl was wandering.
Angelica is still a kitten. Yet, the 11-month-old, spayed, onyx-black, little lady has learned the behaviors that should have pleased her people. She’s gentle and sweet, willing and hoping to be cuddled. And Angelica, as her humble posture in her photo shows, tries not to take up too much space or intrude.
Tiana is a spayed, two-year-old Norwegian Forest Cat, a breed known for its kindness and soul-deep loyalty. These are cats who sit by windows watching for their owner, the most important part of their world, to come home. Tiana would count the moments until she could be beside her person.
Tilly, with her silk-like ears that reach below her chin and huge, soulful eyes, looks like a lost princess. She behaves like one, too. Before she came to the shelter, Tilly had been wandering, looking for the people who’d left her to survive on her own. In the shelter, Tilly demonstrated that she wasn’t a street dog.
When a law enforcement officer asks for help from the shelter staff, it can be very serious. Situations don’t get much more serious than Marley’s was. Read Marley’s story and learn more about how you can help this sweet dog’s recovery efforts.
Dramatic cases of animal injury and recovery are common at the Grant County Friends of the Animal Shelter and Castle is no exception. We encourage you to read Castle’s story and learn more about how you can help this resilient cat’s recovery efforts.
