We believe that our dogs are our best friends, and that’s why we need a reliable source to turn to for information on all things “dog” in our community. Our mission is to be the Carolinas’ number one resource for dog owners regarding regional dog-centric and dog-welcoming events, health & wellness information, dog training, trends, and local news. We also strive to be a mouthpiece to the public for various Lowcountrybased pet non-profits, and we promote pet adoption and other responsible pet care practices.
Founded in Charleston, South Carolina in 2005 as a print magazine. From 2015 through 2019, we went digital. in 2020, print returned and we have grown to become “The Carolinas’ Source for All Things Dog,” with print distribution throughout the Carolinas, and digital readers worldwide.
Every issue of Lowcountry Dog Magazine is dedicated to Peanut, our Chief Canine Officer from 2005 to 2023, and Alyssa Helms, our Media Manager from 2020 to 2024.
For advertising and media inquiries please email contact@lowcountrydog.com
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Lovey’s Lowcountry Livin’: My Mom Was The Best!
Sit, Stay, Behave... Teaching Your Dog To Swim.
HEALTH & WELLNESS: Chubby Dog Nation Combats Canine Obesity
FEATURE STORY: Remembering Our Media Manager, Alyssa Helms
LOCAL DOG EVENTS
IN THE NEWS
RESCUE STORY: WTF “Where’s Tango’s Family?”
GO GREEN: Adopt A Recycled Dog!
Cover Photo & Above Photo by Southern Vintage Photography
My
Mom was the Best!
This is not the first time my life has been forever changed. I originally came from Lancaster County Animal Shelter as a shy, feral, and shutdown girl. I was fostered by my dog-mom, who, in spite of my obvious insecurities, decided she couldn’t live without me and she promised to love me for as long as she lived.
We were happy, my mom and I. I’m still a shy girl, but now I have a small circle of family that I trust and adore. She always made accommodations for my quirks and she loved me unconditionally. In that way, we were the same.
One day, my mom just didn’t come home. I didn’t understand where she went or why she left. Was it me, did I do something? I’ve done my best to be a good girl. Soon my Aunt Cassie came and got me and with lots of hugs and sometimes the sound of anguished cries I never want to hear again. There were so many tears and a heavy sadness in the air. That’s when I knew something was very wrong. Sadly, my mom passed away unexpectedly. She was young, like me, and we had plans for many years ahead. Now what would I do? Where would I go, back to a shelter? Oh, I hoped that wasn’t going to be the case.
Because my mom surrounded herself with people who knew her love for animals, and for me specifically, my dad, Brian, stepped up without hesitation and promised to take me in as his own. He’s been my dog-dad anyway the last couple of years, so we have agreed to help each other navigate this loss. When one of us is sad, the other
Lovey's lowcountry livin’
will lift them up. Some days we will just share each other’s quiet company, but sometimes we will also be sad together because grief takes time and it’s different for everyone. That applies to dogs too.
My mom was a beautiful person, not just because she was my mom, but because she had a huge heart and tremendous compassion for the plight of homeless animals just like me. She was vibrant and bright and sunny and her light drew people to her. We miss her terribly and right now, some days all we can do is just BE – and that has to be enough for now.
Mom’s work with the magazine was so important to her. She enjoyed it, she was good at it, and she was an integral part of it, whether in the community or out working with so many local groups. So my nowdog-dad had an idea to create a Memorial Fund that would honor her memory while supporting the rescues she worked closely with as a foster or advocate. I thought this was a great idea because it will help keep her memory alive and I never want that to fade.
Thomas Campbell said, “To live in hearts we leave behind is not to die.” This makes sense even to me, a dog. I will be forever grateful that she chose me, that she made it known what she wanted for me so I would always be safe, and that she loved me with her whole heart. I know we will see each other again someday. Until then, I will continue to love her from here. Rest in peace, mom. You will always be in our hearts. ■
Teaching Your Dog to Swim
WRITTEN BY THE LOWCOUNTRY DOG TEAM
Teaching your dog to swim is not only a fun activity, but also a valuable life skill. Just like humans, dogs can benefit greatly from swimming, especially during the hot summer months.
While many dogs can instinctively stay afloat by dog-paddling, learning to swim properly can significantly enhance their safety, health, and enjoyment of water activities. Whether it’s cooling off in the summer, getting a full-body workout, or ensuring they can handle surprise water encounters, swimming offers numerous benefits for your canine companion.
Why Teach Dogs to Swim
While some dogs are natural swimmers, others may be hesitant or even fearful of water. Teaching your dog to swim can enhance their physical health, improve their confidence, and provide a safe way to enjoy water-related activities.
Benefits for Your Dog
Swimming is a low-impact activity that provides a full-body workout, helping to maintain a healthy weight and improve cardiovascular health. For dogs that are prone to conditions such as hip dysplasia and IVDD, swimming can be a great alternative to more strenuous activities like agility courses.
During hot weather, swimming allows dogs to stay cool and refreshed, even when the sun is at its highest. Knowing how to swim can be also life-saving, especially if your dog spends time around pools, lakes, or rivers.
Preparation
Choosing the Right Location
Selecting the right location is crucial for a successful swimming lesson. You can’t just toss your pooch into the nearest lake or ocean and expect them to stay composed! A calm body of water, such as a dog-friendly beach, a lake with a gentle slope, or a swimming pool are your best bets. Avoid areas with strong currents, waves, or sudden drop-offs. Always check the water for hazards, especially if it’s in a public space. And in the south, be mindful of signs cautioning about wildlife such as gators that may also be enjoying the water.
Essential Equipment
Before you begin, gather the necessary equipment to ensure your dog’s safety and comfort:
• Life Jacket: Even if your dog is a strong swimmer, a life jacket provides extra buoyancy and peace of mind. Choose one with a handle on the back for easy lifting.
• Floating Toys: These can be used to entice your dog into the water and give them some motivation.
• Leash and Collar: A sturdy leash and collar are important for maintaining control, especially as you are beginning lessons.
Initial Steps
Introducing the Dog to Water
Gradually
Start by letting your dog explore the water at their own pace. Begin in shallow water where they can easily stand and feel secure. Encourage them to play near the water’s edge and gradually move deeper as they become more comfortable.
Encouraging the Dog with Positive Reinforcement
Use treats, toys, and plenty of praise to create a
positive association with the water. Reward your dog for any interaction with the water, no matter how small. Patience is key, as forcing them can create fear and resistance.
Staying Calm and Patient
Your demeanor plays a significant role in how your dog reacts. Stay calm, speak in a soothing tone, and avoid showing frustration. Your dog will take cues from your behavior, so maintaining a relaxed attitude is essential.
Training Techniques
Getting Your Dog Comfortable
• Start on land: Begin by playing with your dog near the water. Use their favorite toys to engage them and create a fun environment.
• Enter the water: Walk into the water with your dog, allowing them to follow you. Keep the water level low, just enough for them to get their paws wet.
• Gradual immersion: Slowly guide your dog deeper into the water, always ensuring they can touch the bottom. Support their belly if needed and offer treats and praise.
• Short sessions: Keep initial swimming sessions short to prevent anxiety. Gradually increase the time spent in the water as your dog becomes more comfortable.
Using Commands and Rewards
Introduce simple commands like “swim” or “water” to associate with the activity. Reward your dog with a good deal of treats and affection each time they respond correctly. You want to build your dog’s confidence in the water as much as possible.
Gradual Increase in Water Depth
As your dog becomes more at ease in shallow water, gradually increase the depth. Allow them to swim short distances, using toys or treats as motivation. Always stay close and offer support when needed.
Safety Tips
Recognizing Signs of Distress
It’s important to be able to identify signs of distress in your dog while swimming. Look for:
• Heavy panting or gasping for breath
• Struggling to stay afloat or maintain balance
• Whining, barking, or attempting to leave the water
If you notice any of these signs, guide your dog back to shallow water and allow them to rest.
Constant Supervision
Never leave your dog unattended while swimming, even if they’ve already become strong swimmers.
Using Life Jackets for Safety
A life jacket is an invaluable safety tool, especially for beginner swimmers. Ensure it fits properly and allows your dog to move comfortably. Having a handle on the back makes it easier to lift your dog out of the water if needed.
Common Issues
Addressing Fear of Water
Some dogs may have a natural fear of water. To address this, go slowly and be patient. Use positive reinforcement and never force your
dog into the water. Short, positive experiences will gradually build their confidence. If it really doesn’t work, don’t stress too much – every dog has their preferences, after all.
Dealing with Over-Excitement
If your dog becomes too excited in the water, take breaks to calm them down. Over-excitement can lead to accidents or fatigue. Use commands and lots of praise to keep your dog focused and controlled during swimming sessions.
Managing Health Concerns Related to Swimming
Be mindful of potential health issues related to swimming, such as ear infections or skin irritations. Rinse your dog with fresh water after swimming to remove chlorine or salt, and dry their ears thoroughly to prevent infections. Regular check-ups with your vet will help manage any health concerns.
Conclusion
Teaching your dog to swim can be a rewarding experience that enhances their health, safety, and enjoyment of life. Remember to be patient and consistent, and always prioritize your dog’s comfort and safety. With time and practice, your dog will become a confident swimmer, ready to join you in all your water adventures. The long-term benefits of swimming will not only improve your dog’s physical well-being but also strengthen the bond between you and your furry friend. ■
Chubby Dog Nation Takes on Canine Obesity
WRITTEN BY JENNIFER GLASGOW Founder of Chubby Dog Nation
I’ll never forget my first job in a veterinary clinic. It was 1994 and I was in the kennels taking care of all the sweet (and some not so sweet) dogs and kitties in my charge. I cleaned up poop, gave medication, took dogs out for walks, made sure everyone was fed and had clean water - and loved every single second of it. I was hooked.
I didn’t have the option to enroll in a vet tech program in my area back then, so I learned from the experienced, seasoned techs around me. I began as a tech assistant, absorbing as much knowledge as I could, learning technical skills like catheter placements and blood draws as well as the invaluable non-technical stuff like how to comfort a scared kitty or the best way to wrangle an energetic Great Dane puppy for an exam. Gradually I began to work my way up to vet tech, then lead vet tech and eventually to the role of lead surgical tech. Even three decades later you can still find me working in the clinics I adore. These days however, my focus has shifted from the surgical suite to the appointment rooms where I have the honor of providing love, care, and a helping hand to all our furry patients.
Over those last 30 years I noticed that when the sweet chubby dogs came in, the vets gave excellent weight-loss advice, but then we didn’t see them again for another year when it was time for their annual check-up. By that time, not only had they NOT lost any weight, but in most cases they were even chubbier. Their owners had the best intentions, but sometimes it’s just hard to stay on track, I mean – who can resist
those eyes?! I knew there had to be a better way to keep everyone on the same page to help these sweet chubby pups get to their healthy weight and live longer, healthier, happier livesa working collaboration between the dog owner and their trusted veterinarian.
And so it was – Chubby Dog Nation™ was born.
Canine obesity is a real epidemic. In fact, according to the Association for Pet Obesity Prevention – over HALF the dogs in the United States are overweight or obese. That’s a huge problem and one that can have some scary consequences. Heart disease, liver and kidney
disease, diabetes, osteo-arthritis – these are just a few of the conditions directly affected by those extra pounds. Not only does the extra weight hinder their quality of life, but it also has the potential to affect their longevity as well. From 1987 to 2001, The Purina Institute conducted a super interesting experiment – The Purina Life Span Study. In this groundbreaking research, they followed several litters of puppies throughout their entire lives, keeping half the dogs at an ideal healthy weight and letting the other half tip toe into the chunky category. At the end of their lives, the researchers concluded that all the dogs had died basically of the same diseases and conditions, but the dogs that were kept at an ideal healthy weight lived 15% longer than their chubby littermates, or in the case of the Labradors in this study - two whole years longer!
So, how do you know if your dog needs to lose a few milk bones? There are a few rules-ofthumb to follow. First, take a look at your dog’s waistline (hint, there should be one). There should be a nice tuck between the lowest rib and the tail. Next, run your hand along the ribs – you should be able to feel the ribs but not see them, and feel them without having to push down too deep into a fat layer. There are visual aids available online that can help with this assessment called body condition score charts that will give you some good proper weight guidelines - check out ChubbyDogNation.com for the free downloadable versions! As always though, when in doubt, the best option is to ask your veterinarian.
So, what can we do about this? Let’s dive in:
First things first - In most cases, the extra weight is due to overfeeding and lack of exercise (just like us!) but sometimes there may be underlying conditions like hypothyroidism or Cushing’s Disease that’s causing all the ruckus. Always schedule an exam with your veterinarian for a wellness check to rule out medical conditions. Once you have the “all clear” from your vet, it’s time to take a hard, honest look at your dog’s eating habits. This includes not only food at
mealtimes, but also treats and extra snacks during the day. It’s also crucial to make sure the whole family is on board; extra treats at Grandma’s house will have to take a back seat to better health for your pup! Your vet may have a calorie budget for you to follow; if not see our website for our free diet roadmap, which was developed by Dr. Rebecca Remillard, a worldrenowned veterinary nutritionist (and a total rock star!). Exercise is another critical piece in the weight-loss equation; even something as simple as taking a walk around the block or a quick swim will help your dog on this weight-loss journey.
Making a game plan and sticking to it is key. It may take several months to help your dog reach their ideal weight in a healthy manner, and that’s okay! Slow and steady wins the race! With advice from your vet and help from apps like Chubby Dog Nation™, you and your furry BFF will be on your way to countless adventures, extra years of snuggles, and many healthy, happy years together – and who wouldn’t want that? ■
Get your dog's weight back on track!
Remembering Our Media Manager, Alyssa Helms
WRITTEN BY: BRIAN FOSTER,Publisher
I heard recently that if you meet someone who is your equal in business, that you should run with them as having two people on the same wavelength is a rarity. Alyssa Helms was that rarity.
I met Alyssa in the fall of 2019, and we became fast friends and soon knew that we would be in each others lives forever. In March 2020, the world changed just days after our 2020 Woofstock Music Festival, with the pandemic. With events on hold, we needed to change some things within the magazine. Our intern had just finished school and was transfering to a staff writer position in the magazine and we needed a fresh face to take our social media and media presence to the next level. Enter Alyssa.
When Alyssa began working for Lowcountry Dog, her first assignments were helping with our spring model contest and modeling for our June issue. Our June 2020 issue entitled Puppies, Pinups and Pick-ups! featured Alyssa on the cover with puppy Topper from Eunoia Rescue and to this day is our second most read issue ever. Alyssa took over our social media in June of 2020 and also helped organize our 2021 Lowcountry Dog Calendar. (see photo below)
Our first event back after the pandemic was our Lowcountry Dog Adoption Event in late September of 2020. This was Alyssa’s first event and she was a natural at it. We entered 2021 with all our events back on track including our Woofstock Music Festival, which took place in October of 2021. Pictures of the merch are above and on page 20. Alyssa modeled our merch throughout the years. She also modeled for calendar covers in 2023 and 2024 calendars, and photoshoots for issues in 2022 and 2023.
Alyssa made her TV debut in 2020 with monthly spots on Fox 24. During these times, we only did pre-recorded web interviews due to the pandemic. We finally made it back in the studio and you can see her on Fox 24 with Leyla Gulen as well as NBC with Hanna Powers. She also was a favorite on Kickin’ Country with Hunter & Kush. (see photos on page 19). She also made several appearances on Two Girls & a Guy and other radio spots in the Radio Charleston family.
Another favorite part of Alyssa’s job was with our relationship with the Charleston RiverDogs. We
Alyssa loved fostering. She fostered 15 pups since 2021 for several rescues & shelters in the Lowcountry
have worked with the The RiverDogs in promoting their Dog Days Tuesday games, where dogs are welcome to attend. Alyssa attended the games and handed out magazines, flyers for events, cards, and took photos of the doggie attendees. (see photo below)
in 2023, we had the opportunity to attend as press for the SuperZoo expo in Las Vegas. This was an amazing opportunity to meet upincoming brands as well as well established brands. Alyssa
I met Alyssa when we were 9 years old and she was having a sleepover with one of our mutual friends. In high school as freshmen. we started hanging out, having regular sleepovers. Our friendship blossomed and she remained my best friend through our teen years and into our early 20’s. Alyssa was one of the girls in my life that I never had to beg to be a real friend. She was down for anything and everything, no matter how spontaneous it was. We would take bubble baths together and laugh together for hours. I have never, in my life, met a girl like her. She never fell short when it came to being a friend. She was there for every milestone in my life, and for the rest of my life she will live through me. A few years ago, when I decided to move back to Charleston from Arizona, she dropped everything, flew out to me, helped me pack up the kid and the dog, and made a memorable road trip with fun stops in San Antonio and New Orleans. Her laughs, hugs, and cuddles will be missed forever. She is the girl who taught me the true value of friendship.
“Alyssa, I love you forever.”
- Alexis Ridgeway, Best Friend
Pictured above with her mother Dawn, and older sister, Cassie (left).
Alyssa Helms was born on December 2, 1999 to Michael Helms and Dawn Helms in Monroe, NC. Dawn and her two girls soon moved to Goose Creek, SC, where later joined by their baby sister, Savannah, in 2006. Alyssa was an honor graduate in 2018 from Stratford High School and excelled in track and field, cheerleading as well as academics and loved learning video editing and other skills, that she would later use for her work in the magazine.
Below: Savannah, Alyssa, Cassie, and Dawn
and I made some great connections that lead to advertisers and sponsors for Lowcountry Dog.
On our first day at the expo, during lunch, Alyssa met a gentlemen with his rescue pit and we sat down to lunch with him. That man was Shorty Rossi from the Animal Planet show PITBOSS. Of course the first contact that she made on our trip was a celebrity. (SEE PICS BELOW)
Alyssa was the lifeblood of Lowcountry Dog Magazine and I bless the day that she came into my life. By the end of 2024, she was to become half owner of Lowcountry Dog Magazine. We lost her on July 2nd of this year and we still don’t know how to live withour her, but know that Lovey and I will always do our best to honor her memory. We have started the Alyssa Helms Memorial Fund to raise money for her favorite rescues and to help her two sisters. See page 16 for how to donate. ■
In the 1930s, the United State was in the midst of the Great Depression. Also, Prohibition was happening and in Charleston, dog treats had been banned. This made many dogs go underground to find the treats they needed. Gangsters arose to control this underground trade. At the top of this criminal enterprise was one dog, Billy Scruffers, and his gang of outlaws trying to keep treats in the paws of the lowcountry dogs.
The Chucktown Gang consisted of Billy Scruffers, the leader, at the wheel of the 1930s Jaguar Speedster, on the opposite page; next to him is his right-paw man, Benedict Theodore “Teddy Tails”; his enforcer, Frankie Fetch, and his gal, Lili St Cyr.
You would also catch Billy around town in his 1931 Auburn in black with red trim. He usually has some dog treats stashed away if you are in need of some snacks ■
Billy was our 2024 Model Contest Winner garnering 885 votes out of almost 10,000 votes this year. Frankie came in second with 762 votes, followed by Lili St Cyr with 660 and Benedict with 470. Catch Billy and the Chucktown Gang as well as 8 other winners in the 2025 Lowcountry Dog Calendar. You can pre-order those on page 33. Congrats to the winners out of over 310 entries back in March.
A special thanks to Southern Vintage Photography for helping us capture this year’s theme and to Scott and Natalie Bluestein for allowing us use of their amazing vintage car collection. They did so in memory of their dog that passed away earlier this year. Look for more vintage vehicles in the 2025 calendar.
Local Dog Events
08/24/2024 Dorchester Paws Adoption Event
Tractor Supply in St. George 10 to 2 pm
08/27/2024 DOG DAY TUESDAY w the Charleston RiverDogs
Family alleges unpaid vet bills as Petland insists on covering costs
“A couple of days into getting home, he got very sick, lethargic, unhappy, and just really, really ill,” said Mariana Rodriguez, the puppy owner. “We took him to the vet and he’s extremely sick. He has parvo, he has intestinal worms. He was not properly vaccinated, and we’re very concerned for his life. He’s most likely gonna die.”
Dog bitten by alligator at James Island County Park, receives stitches
A dog was bitten by an alligator while swimming in the lake at James Island County Park Sunday evening, according to Charleston County Parks spokesperson Sarah Reynolds. While swimming, the dog began barking and swam back to the shore. The dog’s owner noticed a bite on its hindquarters, and saw an approximately 2-foot-long alligator swimming nearby.
Mt. Pleasant man charged with ill-treatment of animals after 23 beagles seized
The Charleston County Sheriff’s Office has charged a Mount Pleasant man following a welfare check in July that led to the seizure of nearly two dozen dogs.
Rodney Craig Manigault, 58, is charged with one count of illtreatment of animals and another count of ill-treatment of animals and torture.
Click images above to read the full story. For more top stories, visit www.lowcountrydog.com/top-stories
WTF? As in ‘Where’s Tango’s Family?’
WRITTEN BY: JEANNE TAYLOR, Staff Writer
In June of 2023, a compelling plea in an upstate shelter group caught my eye and stopped my Facebook scrolling. These posts fill my social media feed daily, but something about this one struck me. There was a petite momma dog and eight newborn babies scheduled to be euthanized because the shelter was out of room. To put this in perspective, just a couple of days later during transport, this entire little family rode back to the Charleston area in our vehicle IN A LAUNDRY BASKET – all nine of them. Yet that shelter was so full they could not commit that small amount of space to keep them alive.
Typically, in animal rescue many things must happen to save just one life, so imagine the exponential “To Do’s” associated with trying to save nine. A rescue group has to commit and to do so, that means they need a foster to say yes to the task. Sometimes finding a foster for one can be incredibly challenging; imagine asking someone to accept an entire family of nine into their home! Transport must then be arranged. And all of this occurs while a clock is running down on the animals’ existence. That’s far from the end of it though, as expenses start to roll in for feeding and vetting, as well as spaying and neutering prior to adoption. In the case of Tango, I was fortunate to secure the agreement of Libby and Mace’s Place Rescue; I asked, they accepted without hesitation when others declined. Like a kid begging their parents for a pet, I promised to do the legwork, so I contacted a potential foster, and she said yes. Whew - two of the most important pieces of the puzzle were in place!
My husband and I then celebrated our anniversary by taking a drive to the Greenville County Animal Care Center to pick up the little family. From the word “go,” Tango was a sweetheart – friendly and not at all concerned about us touching her newborn puppies to settle them safely in the basket. She could have stretched out and had the entire backseat to herself but chose to climb into the basket with those eight tiny beings for the duration of the ride. She gently and happily accepted some grilled chicken from a magical drive-thru window and spent her few hours as a passenger resting with her babies, relieved to be out of the noisy shelter and no doubt grateful to know her little family was safe.
During the next few weeks, we fundraised to help with the care and upkeep of Tango and her puppies. Although a veterinary discount would be applied, vetting nine dogs would not be a small undertaking and even with adoption fees to be paid, rescues groups and shelters rarely recoup their outlay of expenses.
Photo courtesy of Greenville County Shelter
Tango’s puppies grew fat and strong in foster, and all went on to be adopted. Little momma Tango, a black dog of mixed heritage and the sweetest nature, inexplicably had a harder time being chosen though. She was doing well in her foster home, and they felt she was a good fit so decided to officially adopt her. Then: the plot twist. The multi-dog dynamic changed in the home and one of the resident dogs made it no longer safe for Tango to be there, so Tango was returned to the rescue just under one year from when she and her babies first crossed their threshold as a foster. Tango then spent a few weeks as a special guest with one of the rescue’s founders, but with no adopter traffic, we decided to bring her closer to us for more exposure opportunities. Because we knew Tango was such an easy keeper, we placed her temporarily with an elderly family member with whom she was already familiar and comfortable. We committed to giving Tango daily walks and field trips and, in the process, learned even more about this perfect girl.
A very kind woman I knew from a prior foster situation contacted me and offered to take over fostering Tango. It was a perfect scenario, and I was – and remain – so grateful for that message.
In case you are counting, that makes four transitions for Tango since exiting the shelter last year.
I announced on my business socials that I would post Tango daily until she was adopted. For me, that meant she would need photos and content to share – so she needed experiences! Well, she sure got that because as soon as we picked her up, we took her to the beach followed by a bath at Hairy Winston. There were long park walks and with her takeover foster, there were trips to stores and garden centers to explore and sniff; and restaurant patios to dine at with friends. There were daily neighborhood walks and car rides and visits. Tango never disappointed as she was always a very good girl, no matter the environment or the scenario.
The fact that she was having such a hard time finding her forever home became disheartening
to me. When a dog checks every positive trait box yet still languishes, what hope would other homeless pets have if they carry even the slightest undesirable behaviors or quirks or health concerns?
But this very good dog smiled her way through everything, every day. And in doing so, I shook off the weight of disappointment I was feeling on Tango’s behalf, and we persisted with the daily posts.
On Day 13 of posting, a fellow animal advocate and serial volunteer reached out about a potential adopter, so we arranged an introduction with Tango. We had a great visit and later that evening, I had a text advising that they were submitting an application. Then, before my head hit the pillow that night, I had a message from the rescue saying it had been approved. Wheels were in motion! Tango was not only chosen for adoption, but it was in such a way that it meant the world to me: she would have a family who truly saw her for her warmth, her gentle nature, and her ease, and wanted to make her an integral part of their lives. I later learned that their young daughter wept happy tears for 30 minutes when she learned Tango would be her new sister.
Many things happened in the few days between approval and when I delivered her to her new home, all of them wonderful. But the fact that this family had thought through the decision to adopt and saw the merits of bringing home an adult dog stuck with me. When I publicly announced her adoption on her last daily post, her new dad commented, “Tango is certainly going to be very loved in our home as our new family member. While the decision to adopt Tango happened quickly, the decision to adopt at all was a long and careful undertaking. Meredith and I each grew up with wonderful family dogs, but it took us a while to be ready for our own, much to our daughter’s chagrin. She’s been ready for years! It is not an understatement to say that Jeanne’s photos and posts found Tango a home. I feel like I knew Tango before we had that introduction. Before that point I, like many others, needed time to come around
to the idea of an adult rescue. Now that we have made the decision I cannot imagine it any other way. In many ways Tango is the most deserving of a family and a permanent home and we are so happy to welcome her into ours. The reality is that we will have less time with Tango than we would with a puppy. That doesn’t make that time any less valuable. We will do our very best to give this sweet mama the life she deserves.”
Now, with each text notification ding or email that offers a Tango photo and update, my heart smiles knowing she has the best future ahead with this kind and gentle family that fell for her specifically, rather than just the idea of adopting. It is everything I wanted for her from the very first time we met and I’m so grateful Tango has what I am confident will be her final last name –they even put her last name on her ID tag to seal the deal. Now five stepping stones later since walking out of Greenville, Tango has landed where she was always meant to be. Happy tails, kid! You deserve all the love in the world!
There are so very many animals just like Tango, lovely, sweet, deserving of a family and a future. Please consider adopting or fostering for a shelter or rescue near you. Lives truly do depend on it. ■
