Adoptable Pets

The Shelter Dogs

Champaign County Humane Society
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If you’ve ever had the privilege to work or volunteer at a Humane Society or animal shelter, you have probably noticed that there is a preponderance of a certain type of dog. Take a walk down the kennel row and you’ll see this same dog over and over again. They don’t look exactly alike, but the similarities are astounding. They’re over 50 pounds, Lab mix, Shepard mix, Rotty mix, Chow mix, black dog with a little brown mixed in, white spot on chest, never been trained, will pull on leash, pee on your carpet, and chew your furniture. This story is told from the viewpoint of those dogs. They are
The Shelter Dogs
by Marlene Walker

People come into the shelter looking for a dog to adopt, but no one sees me.

I’m not invisible. I’m not hidden. I’m not out of sight in the back. I’m right here, in the kennel next to the cute puppies, the small dogs, and the lighter colored dogs.

I’ve been here for months.

I was brought here by my family because they didn’t have time, or suddenly developed allergies, or moved to a place that didn’t allow dogs (why did they move there?), blah, blah, blah.

The truth is they adopted me because I was a cute puppy.

They thought I was fun for about a week, then after that, they saw me as a problem.

The kids who were so excited to play with me suddenly needed to do homework or go out with their friends instead of taking me for a walk.

The socialization that I so desperately needed as a puppy was neglected because I chewed up the shoes and peed on the floor.

So my family ostracized me and FORGOT about me.

I would have learned the rules if they had taught me the rules, but they got bored with me or impatient with me, and they said I was a bad dog because I didn’t know the rules.

Then they brought me here and said they had allergies

So here I am at the shelter and no one will even look at me. I’m not a cute puppy anymore and I’m not a little dog.

Puppies and little dogs, that seems to be what everyone is looking for.

Because I’m black and my eyes are brown, you can’t easily see my eyes.

Another dog told me that people think they can read thought and expression in dogs’ eyes.

You know, you don’t have to see my eyes to know what I’m thinking.

Look at my wagging tail, my ears up, perky and alert, my front legs down and hind legs up in the dog-universal "Let’s Play!" stance.

Or just come close and see my brown eyes. But no one comes close.

They walk by me everyday and adopt the puppies, the small dogs, and the prettier dogs.

I’ve been here for several months now and I’m getting depressed and frustrated.

I need a family, a pack.

I need training to be able to live happily with my pack. I don’t speak English so you’ll need to work on communicating with me.

This is all new to me, so I won’t be Lassie after one training session.

Patience is a virtue. I am what you make me. It will take time and lots and lots of patience,

I promise to do my best and try to make you proud.

But this is the most important thing.

When you decide to make this commitment and take me home, it’s for my whole life.

You are promising to take care of me until I die of old age, not just for a week or a month or a year.

In return, I’ll promise you that I shall cheer you up when you’re sad and be your pal when you’re lonely.

I’ll learn the rules you give me and I’ll play the games you teach me.

I’ll be there to greet you and love you everyday when you come home to me.

I promise to be your companion, faithful and true, till the last beat of my heart.

And when I’m old and gray and the light goes out of my eyes, promise me that you’ll be there looking into my brown eyes and loving me.
There are plenty of shelter dogs waiting for the right person. Maybe that person is you.

If you are interested in coming to see one, visit us at 1911 W. Main Street, Urbana, IL, between the hours of 11 to 6 Monday through Saturday or 11 - 4 on Sunday. See here for driving directions.

© 2005 - Champaign County Humane Society