Out & About: K has been adopted!

K received an application her first day in foster care which was interesting since she wasn't listed as available with the general public. Turns out, K's adopters were at an event with their rattie and a past NR adopter started talking to them about rattie's and NR came up in conversation. K's adopters went to the NR website and saw K's one picture and the link to this blog. They decided to put in an application for her to begin the process of finding out if she was a good fit for them & if they were a good fit for K.

I actually had no plans of listing K on pefinder for at least a couple of weeks as she needed work given how skittish she was with humans. With that said, I was willing to talk to the applicant about K and see where that would take us. There is no expectation that a dog has to be issue free before being adopted. However, the expectation I have is that an applicant has to be willing and able to work with a dog that has issues - just because someone applies doesn't mean they get to adopt a dog.

So, over the last 3 weeks there has has been the normal NR process of working with an application. And then there's been the add on of lots and lots of email exchanges between me and K's now adopters. In addition to all the emails there has been shared video of K and 3 separate meet ups. At each meet up K's adopters were amazing - they had no issue with the fact that they couldn't touch K due to her skittishness. This is a very hard concept for a lot of people. People in general want to touch dogs, they want the dog to like them and all of these wants are on the human side. So often a dog gets pushed despite giving lots of stress signs of needed space and for the human to back off. K's adopters are a unique set of people who have been very clear that they will not push K for touch and they are more than willing and able to move at her pace.

As I've said over and over when talking about K, had we pushed an agenda on her she wouldn't have moved forward as quickly as she has done in the 3 weeks she's been with us. Dogs like K remind me how important it is to meet the dog where they are at and for me to always be willing to adjust my own expectations - when that happens we have success!

K's adopters have been fantastic with lots of wonderful questions, thoughts and insight around working with K. They have been more than understanding of all my questions about them while we sorted out if they would be a good fit for under socialized K. And of course the great news is that I think they are perfect and will help K continue her journey of becoming more socialized to people. More great news is that they have a well balanced, laid back, human loving rattie named Bogart. K had to go to a home with another dog so this is perfect. I have no doubt that K will watch and follow Bogart as time passes and he will help her continue to witness that people can be pretty great and worth trusting.

So while the initial change in homes will be rough on K, she has a new family that is ready to give her the space and time she needs while adjusting and settling in. And as always, K's adopters know I'm just a email/phone call away if they need support or help. We have set the ground work with K around touch, working on trusting humans and her new parents are excited to pick up this work with K. As I've told them, rehabbing a dog is work but, it's gratifying and the bond that is built with that dog is amazing. I couldn't be more thrilled with this adoption and I have no doubt that the updates will be super and K will have an amazing life.

Oh and on a final note - K's new name is June which is adorable and suits her well!