Rescue Rovers Dog Adoptions

Let me start by saying I love dogs. Dogs, especially dogs with issues, require patience, understanding and perseverance. I believe that when we develop those qualities in ourselves we have a more balanced, happy life.
A few years ago I was raped. My (now) husband and I adopted a dog about 2 weeks later as a way to cope with the incident and give me an outlet of comfort. We named the dog Kuzco, and he helped so much in my recovery.

Kuzco, was a challenge in separation anxiety. We came home on several occasions to find that our bedroom resembled a chicken massacre. Feathers of down comforter everywhere, fans, space heaters and mattresses destroyed. At first I was angry. I approached Kuzco very calmly and took a deep breath. I reached to pet him because I knew he was stressed and freaked out. He flinched as if I was going to hit him. My anger became sadness as I realized this dog had more to his story than we knew. I saw so much of myself in Kuzco, and I was determined to help him overcome his past and become the healthy, vibrant dog I knew he could be. We worked with him every morning and every night. Working with Kuzco got my husband and I outside and active. We became a team we didn’t realize we were before. We fell more in love and became healthier people. In working on his insecurities, fears, and issues; I began to conquer my own. He is a blessing and always will be. We are so happy we didn’t give up on him because he challenged us in so many wonderful ways. Years later we adopted Roo. She made Kuzco’s challenges feel like a cake walk. She was more difficult in several more ways. Fear consumed her. She yelped every time we touched her, she peed whenever we came near, she growled, she was afraid of grass, she had accidents…on and on. But I was determined not to give up on her. It took 4 months to get her to where she is - a well behaved and happy dog that sometimes still has an off moment. I wouldn’t trade away even one of her issues, though. Just like people, the things a dog has been through shape their personality, and Roo is perfect as she is. What you as adopters have to understand is, Rescue Rovers works extremely hard with these dogs. They take them out of loud, stressful shelters. They work on house training, behavior, trust, and much more, but you must continue what they started. True rescue isn’t easy. It isn’t instant gratification. It’s hard, it’s testing. Rescuing is not just giving a dog food, shelter, treats, and pets. It’s work. It’s life changing. It’s worth the months of waiting for that dog to show you who they are and to show you who you are. Don’t give up on them after two days or two weeks or two months. You are missing life lessons that no one else in the world can teach you. Commit to them. Commit to yourself. Commit to a life that is complete and better because someone without a voice and with an innocent heart can show you how in a way you will be proud to comprehend.