Adoption Success!
Remember Shiloh, the Lab mix we rescued from unimaginably neglectful conditions in suburban America? He came from a well-kept home in a nice neighborhood, complete with festive fall decorations. Behind the scenes, Shiloh was living with two other dogs in total squalor, isolated 24/7 in a dark garage, malnourished, and in need of significant medical care. He had urine burns on his feet from not being let out and was battling mange as well as raging skin infections, which made his skin so fragile that it cracked and bled when the vet staff touched him. He was anemic and malnourished from a poor and scarce diet, and his ears were so swollen from infection that they had to use a laser to open them up to apply medicine. He was one of the more extreme neglect cases we’ve ever seen, and we knew we would need a special home to help him recover both physically and emotionally.
Thankfully, two wonderful, seasoned fosters, Tegan and Ellen, stepped up to foster Shiloh and stayed committed to him through many months of rehabilitation. This entailed administering various daily medications, several medicated baths a week, numerous vet appointments, and working through expected behavioral issues and teaching him to trust again. As Shiloh blossomed in their home, it became increasingly apparent he was meant to be part of this family. Tegan contacted us to let us know she wanted to make Shiloh official, and we were overjoyed to know he was already home.
It’s now been six months since he was adopted, and we checked in to see how Shiloh was doing. Ellen sends us this update:
“Just a bit on Shiloh’s progress, there’s so much I’m not sure where to start, honestly. This journey began when Tegan sent me his picture one night while she was at work, and asked if I thought we could help. Seeing the pictures brought tears to my eyes, I told her absolutely and to be honest the pictures didn’t do his true condition justice. He was in much worse shape than I could ever imagine, and automatically won my heart. I still can’t imagine how a human could do this to a dog.
As you know, Tegan adopted him for my birthday in March. I think for a number of reasons. Shiloh and I became connected at the hip. I think Tegan felt like there was no way she could take him away from me, and me away from him. She actually started calling him ‘Ellen’s shadow’ instead of Shiloh.
Things to know about Shiloh….He absolutely LOVES the sunshine ( which is understandable, considering he didn’t see much if any sunshine for years in that dark garage). When he first came to us, as soon as the sun came up, he would howl and just stare out the window. From the pictures I sent, you can see, he lounges in the sun every day. He is such a talker, and I’m not joking when I say I think he perfectly understands English, and he will carry on conversations with me.
His best friend is Alvin (brindle), which you will see the picture of him and Alvin chilling on the front porch. They do this every single morning. Shiloh gets along with all of the dogs wonderfully. Now, don’t get me wrong, just like with any dog, you have as many different personalities as we do, there are a few arguments here and there. Overall, he is by far one of the most loving, protective, and happy dogs I have ever had the blessing of being in my life.
I could tell you guys thank you a million times for saving his life, and it still wouldn’t be enough to show my sincere appreciation. Shiloh, like all the others that you save, NEVER deserve the kind of treatment they receive. Thank God for people in your rescue and all the other rescues out there. Again, thank you for my ‘shadow’ and my new best friend. If he had thumbs, he would type an email thanking you as well.”
Because of these two incredible women who chose to foster and commit to Shiloh’s challenging care, he finally has love and joy in his life. Shiloh has incredible resiliency and he’s a survivor, but it’s good folks like these ladies, and all the committed fosters out there, who make these success stories possible.
