When this white and black dog arrived at Dane County Humane Society (DCHS) in early June, we can only imagine the fear and confusion she must have felt after being lost in Fitchburg. We can’t know how long she was on her own.
She was terrified, her body covered in feces and her eyes filled with uncertainty.
Despite her ordeal, she showed glimmers of trust, even as she trembled during her admitting exam. She was friendly with our staff, wiggling her body and demanding pets as they examined her and moved her to her kennel. We named the American bulldog mix Piglet, a cute name for a cute dog who had obviously been through a lot.
Unfortunately, the sudden changes were stressful for Piglet. She stayed at the back of her kennel, afraid to approach people. Our veterinary staff started her on anti-anxiety medication to help ease her mental discomfort, and our Canine Behavior Team (CBT) ensured she had space and time to acclimate to her new surroundings.
Slowly, given patience and understanding, Piglet began to trust her caretakers, approaching them and even giving small wags of her tail.
Thanks to the incredible support of our generous community members, DCHS has expert staff to provide both physical and emotional care to animals in need. When you give by December 31st, 2024, you can DOUBLE your impact for animals in our shelter and our community up to $30,000 thanks to a matching gift from the Don and Marilyn Anderson Foundation.
As Piglet grew more and more comfortable with her caregivers, she transformed. We soon learned how much Piglet loved people. Every time she saw someone, she’d begin wagging her tail. She loved getting pets and affection from her human friends.
However, the shelter environment was tough for Piglet. Fortunately, several shelter staff were more than happy to bring the friendly and affectionate dog into their offices. She would quickly relax, either snoozing contentedly on a soft bed or eagerly seeking affection, getting as close to her officemates as possible. She would greet every person who came into the office and any person she passed in the hallways.
Her affection even extended to other types of animals. One day, a few human friends brought her out to a yard, where Piglet discovered a nest of baby bunnies. She was extremely gentle with them, laying down and sniffing them nicely, and gave no indication she wanted to hurt them. We’re glad it was Piglet who made us aware of the nest in the dog yard, as other dogs may not have been so gentle with the bunnies, and we were able to take steps to keep them safe while they grew.
But even with time out of her kennel snuggling human friends, Piglet struggled as her wait for a new home stretched on. She started to display some challenging behaviors, like jumping when she was excited, which we knew, given her size, could hinder her adoption. To help, CBT created a Behavior Modification plan just for her to give Piglet daily one-on-one training time with dedicated volunteers who focused on addressing her challenging behaviors so she could thrive in her new home.
As it turned out, Piglet didn’t need to be on her plan for very long.
Jane wasn’t really looking for a dog to adopt, not since saying goodbye to her beloved pup, Venus, who had been her companion for nearly 14 years.
“I felt like I would never be ready,” Jane said. “All the dogs I would see, I just didn’t feel a connection.”
Still, Jane visited DCHS with her daughter, who had spotted a dog Jane might be interested in meeting. While visiting the dog runs, Jane instead noticed Piglet, thinking, “Oh my gosh, look at this cute girl.” Jane decided to meet her that day.
“In the room, Piglet came right up to me,” Jane recalls. “I sat on the floor, and she sat on my lap and wanted loving. This is the first time I felt a connection.”
But Jane wasn’t quite sure she was ready and took a night to think on it.
“She was on my mind all the time,” Jane says, “and I went to work and couldn’t stop thinking about her, and that’s when I knew she was the one for me.”
But by the time Jane came to her realization, someone else was meeting Piglet.
“My heart sank,” Jane says.
But the planets aligned for Jane and Piglet. The other potential adopter decided the pup wasn’t the best fit for them. Jane recalls, “I immediately said I need her,” and she adopted Piglet that day.
Jane renamed her new family member Jupiter to honor the memory of her late pup, Venus. Jupiter has been thriving in her new home.
“She is a funny, goofy girl that makes us laugh at the things she does,” Jane says. “She loves everyone she meets. She loves to go with me in the car. She's doing good on her walks. She knows her name and will listen when called. And she has learned some commands, and we’re working on others.
“She’s definitely a handful, she’s such a busy body,” Jane continues. “Always keeping me on my toes. Her favorite thing to do is try ‘'catching' the sprayed water out of the hose as I spray it all over the yard. Her favorite toy is anything with a squeaker in it. She loves tug-of-war, and of course, she loves to chew, chew, chew. We have many, many chew toys/bones. She’s also learning to play ball.”
Jupiter has become Jane’s close companion, much like Venus before her.
“She doesn’t like when I’m not in her eyesight,” Jane says. “She sleeps with me every night, cuddled right up to me. She needs to feel that I am there.”
Supporters like you ensure every animal who arrives at DCHS receives the specialized care and attention they need. From skilled and compassionate staff, to caring volunteers, to Jane who opened her heart to a new companion, and to YOU, our generous donors, we all came together to form a loving constellation around Jupiter to ensure the cosmos aligned and she found her way home. Give today to ensure even more animals find their way home.
You can DOUBLE your impact for animals in need by giving before December 31st, 2024!
