Octavia came to us almost two years ago, from a family who had left her outside and never properly socialized her. She's a beautiful, loving girl, who has a bad habit of jumping up in your face to greet you, and more than one volunteer got hit in the mouth, nose or forehead. She doesn't care much for other pups, and with energy level higher than expected for her age, she became one of our special needs, Hope For a Better Life dogs. She spent some time at Wags & Wiggles and learned some basic manners, but her jumping up and her feelings about other pups remained. We tried to place her several times and she went to a foster home earlier this year that we thought would work out for her, but things didn't work out for her.
Don and Alicia lost their Golden earlier this year. Don is retired and home most of the time, and although they weren't looking for a behavior challenge, they looked like they'd be a great fit for Ms. Octavia. Hey - it never hurts to ask, right? We explained Octavia's situation and, after talking, Don and Alicia thought it would be worth meeting her. Of course, the imp jumped straight up into Alicia's face and nailed her in the lip! But after that she turned on the charm! We explained to Don and Alicia that if they chose to take Octavia home, she'd go as a foster and we'd provide training to get teach them how to work with her. Of course once Octavia met them she wasn't letting them go, and she finagled her way into their car and ultimately their hearts. We set them up with Terry Long of DogPact, and they admit its been more work than they had thought it would be. But they also realized they couldn't give up on this sweet girl and let me know she wasn't going anywhere. They officially adopted her earlier this month and have renamed her Maggie.
Octavia thanks Jennifer for doing her intake. She thanks Barbara D and the volunteers in the IE who spent time working with her while she was out there and worrying about her every day until she found her forever home. She's so very thankful for GRCGLAR's Hope program and to Leslie for coordinating her time with Wags & Wiggles. She's grateful to the CP Dog Walking Team who got her out every day during her stay there, and Paul for helping to make introductions with her new family. She's grateful to Jan for scouting out her new home and also for going out to complete the adoption paperwork. And she thanks the placement team and PA Eva for finding a terrific family who is devoted to this sweet girl's life and care.
