Summary

Nancy Oglesby shares her experience of helping find a forever home for Evie, a well-groomed dog found wandering, through her volunteer work at a no-kill shelter, despite the challenges of overcrowding and the emotional toll of dealing with abandoned pets.

Abstract

Nancy Oglesby, a volunteer at a local no-kill shelter, recounts her involvement in the rehoming of Evie, a stray dog brought in by a distressed man who found her near a restaurant. Despite her fear of unfamiliar dogs, Nancy primarily managed administrative tasks and supported the shelter's operations. Her role expanded to assist in the Intake Department, where she faced the harsh realities of animal abandonment and the limitations of shelter capacity. Evie's case stood out due to her groomed appearance and the emotional attachment displayed by the man who found her. After following protocol and a brief holding period, Evie was adopted by a friend of Nancy's family, ensuring a happy outcome. Nancy reflects on the heartbreak of pet abandonment and emphasizes the importance of having plans for pets, while also celebrating the joy of seeing Evie in a loving home.

Opinions

The author believes in the importance of having a plan for pets in case their owners can no longer care for them.
There is a clear frustration with the public's expectation that shelters can accept every animal, despite space and funding limitations.
The author shows empathy for the emotional distress of individuals who abandon their pets, especially the man who left Evie at the shelter.
There is an underlying advocacy for animal adoption over purchasing pets from breeders or stores, as indicated by the phrase "Adopt Don’t Shop!"
The author feels a personal connection and responsibility towards the animals they help at the shelter, as evidenced by the effort to ensure Evie found a good home.
There is a sense of fulfillment and blessing in being part of Evie's journey to a happy life.

Personal Stories | Animals I’ve Loved

Evie: The Perfect Rescue Dog

I helped find her forever home.

Evie goes to her forever home. :) Author’s collection.

I volunteered at a local no-kill shelter for several years. Since I’m afraid of dogs I don’t know, I did administrative work. I was the receptionist and supported the adoption specialists and shelter managers for much of my time there.

My life got a little busy and I wasn’t spending much time there when the shelter manager called and asked if I could help in the Intake Department on their most active days. They needed someone who was an able communicator to deal with the public. Of course, I said yes. I loved the Intake Coordinator and knew that working together would be rewarding.

Intake is difficult because people think we should take every unwanted animal when the reality is that when the shelter is full, it’s full. In that case, the only animals we take are strays brought in by the city. It’s not that we don’t want to take every single animal in need, but there isn’t a shelter in the world big enough or well-funded enough to do that. (Adopt Don’t Shop!)

It was hard to hear the stories of the pets left behind by someone’s parents who have passed or gone to nursing home care. The children aren’t able or are unwilling to take them, the animals are lost and confused, the shelter is full, and I could only give them a list of possible options, all the while knowing the options were also unlikely to have room.

Side note: Please have a plan in place for your beloved animals!

Then there are the people who tie their animals to the shelter gate and leave them there, undefended, dumped because they are no longer young and fun, they’re old and infirm, or worse yet, sick and in need of care.

But Evie was different. Evie was brought in by a middle-aged Hispanic gentleman, and with tears in his eyes he told us that he found her wandering near a fast-food restaurant in a nearby town. I explained that we could not accept a stray unless Animal Control (AC) brings her in and that he would have to take her back to the spot where he found her and call them. I gave him the number.

He was distraught and began crying. He said she was such a good girl. That she’d slept with him the night before and was such a sweetheart. I assured him that we would take good care of her, that the AC officer was a dream, but that he needed to let them bring her in.

He left, taking Evie with him. A few hours later the AC Officer brought Evie to us. The gentleman was right behind them, came in, still sobbing, and repeated how good a girl she had been when he had her overnight and how he hoped she would find a good home.

Of course, we knew that this was his dog and for some reason, he couldn’t keep her. His heartbreak was evident. I could speculate as to the reasons and have, but I will never know.

As you can see in the pictures, Evie is a dog that requires regular, intense grooming, and when she came to us her coat was perfect, not something usually seen in strays.

I immediately called my son and within a day one of our good friends came to the shelter, met her, and put a hold on her. The shelter had to keep her for five days on a stray hold but no one came looking for her. One more indication that she had belonged to the man who brought her to us.

I wish I knew who the Hispanic gentleman is because I’d share more pictures and he would know that she’s well-loved.

I will never know the real story, but I feel blessed to have been a part of getting Evie the happy life she deserves! 🐾

All images are in the author’s collection. Taken by Evie’s new daddy.

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