Summary

The author recounts the challenging yet rewarding experience of adopting Juno, a rescue dog with a complex history, and how they have both grown and benefited from each other's companionship.

Abstract

The narrative describes the journey of adopting Juno, a former street dog who spent two years in a veterinarian's office before being adopted by the author. Despite initial fears and difficulties in adjusting to her new home, Juno has made significant progress over the years, learning commands, enjoying walks, and forming a special bond with the author. The author, who deals with chronic illnesses, finds comfort and companionship in Juno, emphasizing the mutual rescue between them. While the dog has never fully warmed up to the author's husband, she has become an integral part of the family, particularly providing support to the author's son.

Opinions

The author initially underestimated the challenges of adopting a rescue dog, expecting smooth sailing after choosing a young dog over a puppy.
The author believes that rescue dogs like Juno often have a history of trauma, which can lead to fear and mistrust in their new environments.
There is a profound sense of empathy for Juno, especially when reflecting on her past as a wet-nurse for puppies who were adopted, leaving her behind.
The author acknowledges the mixed feelings within the family, with some members bonding more with Juno than others, and her husband, David, experiencing frustration due to Juno's fearful reaction to him.
Despite the challenges, the author is grateful for Juno's presence in their life, viewing their relationship as a mutual rescue that has brought comfort and support, especially in dealing with the author's own chronic illnesses.
The author is considering adopting a puppy to fulfill the children's desire for a dog that is more outgoing and less guarded than Juno.

Animal Anecdote

Adopting a Rescue Dog Takes a Special Breed

But I wouldn’t trade my experience for anything different

I found Juno through a local rescue organization. She had been staying at a veterinarian’s office for about two years, confined for most of her days. The vet techs adored her, but there was only so much time they had to interact with her before other duties pulled them away.

Juno is named after the teen mom in the movie Juno. True story. As far as we know, she was a street dog, covered in ticks with her two puppies in tow when someone decided to rescue all three.

Soon, the pups were adopted and Juno was still at the vet’s. She was a wet-nurse for some new pups. They also got adopted.

When we met her, she was a beautiful, shy dog, almost 3 years old. She has the black and white patterning of a Dalmation and the look of a Pointer mixed with a Pitbull. She has many breeds in her makeup according to the DNA test I ordered — American Staffordshire Terrier, Akita, Chow, Rotweiller — you know, the scary breeds.

Naively, I brought her home after my family had met and approved of her, thinking things would be smooth sailing. We decided to get a young dog, but not a puppy, so housetraining would be taken care of. I also wanted to give a young dog a chance over the puppies, knowing they are usually the first to get adopted.

The first sign that something was amiss should have been when the vet tech had to help me lift our new 55 pounds-dog into the car. She did not want to get in. At this point, her name was Big Momma. I found this profoundly sad as every puppy she raised had been taken from her.

She wasn’t happy to be with me. She was frightened. The car ride was tense. I’d always had dogs who liked car rides. This one did not.

I got her home and tried to coax her in the front door. She refused to cross the threshold. My heart was breaking into a million pieces and my frustration was mounting.

I had mistaken “calm” for terrified. I suppose that’s a novice mistake.

Somehow, I coaxed her into the kitchen. She looked up at the ceilings, in confusion. I wondered if that was because she had been in cages for so long.

In the backyard (which I had to carry her to) she seemed a tiny bit more at ease. I remember smiling when she nibbled on my garden basil. She was a beauty, looking very similar to a German Shorthaired Pointer. Tentatively curious, I had hope that she would adjust eventually.

My husband, David, and Juno got off on the wrong foot. He has a deep voice, is tall, and has a big beard. He’s a bit of a bear in demeanor, though quite gentle underneath. Juno has never been able to traverse David’s bearish exterior to a place of trust.

And, David long ago gave up on bonding with her. Can you imagine years of someone flinching every time you approach them? Of constant barking when you walk in the door like you’re a bad guy, yet you’ve done no harm? It’s a strange co-existence. Not one I would have knowingly chosen.

My son has bonded with her most, after me. They snuggle and she also helps ease his anxiety. My husband and daughter mostly tolerate her. She’s not the carefree dog they would prefer.

Juno has come such a long way since the first day I brought her home back in 2015. She goes to all rooms, except the bathroom (she hates water/baths). She snuggles on couches. She lets us pet her — except for David — although she will accept treats from him now.

Car rides are less terrifying, she has stayed at boarding without having a panic attack, she enjoys walks around the neighborhood, and has learned commands for shaking hands, sitting down, laying down, and turning around in a circle. Recently, she’s started high-fiving me before she eats breakfast.

She plays with my mom’s dog, Zoe. I wonder if a 2nd dog would help her relax or put her even more on guard. The kids now want a puppy — a dog that would be theirs and not mine. I understand this desire, and we are considering it.

I have chronic illnesses — fibromyalgia, anxiety, depression, and OCD. And, in many ways Juno has rescued me. When my humans are tired and scared of my mental states, Juno calmly lays by my side. And, I know, eventually, everything will be okay.

When we rescue dogs, we are taking a risk because we have no way of knowing their complete history. Usually, rescue dogs have been through some kind of trauma. Even though our relationship with Juno has had difficult times, I wouldn’t trade it. She has my heart. Just as she is a special rescue, so am I. We are here for each other — and for that, I am grateful.