March 1, 2019
Submitted by Julie Madden
Encore Enrichment Center, Anniston, AL
I guess you could call Sniffy a professional shelter dog. He’s lived in one his whole life, and he’s 12 years old. He was one of eight puppies found in a box in 2006 and taken to the League for Animal Welfare. A black lab mix with white markings but no outstanding features, he somehow got passed by time and time again when potential adopters walked through. His thick black coat got speckled with grey. He decided he didn’t care for other dogs, except one very special old girl named Nellie. Sniffy and Nellie became what shelters call “a bonded pair,” which means they share a kennel and need each other and support each other.
Sniffy and Nellie settled in to life together at the League. Over time, it became harder for Sniffy to deal with change. Routines were his thing. When the League sent the pair to Encore in December of 2017, Sniffy was only happy when he was outside with Nellie, his big yellow lab mix friend. He didn’t really care for being inside a classroom or his crate. But when they were together, Sniffy would take treats and trot around with Nellie and even enjoyed being petted.
Change finds all of us, even when we’d rather things stayed the same. For Sniffy, change happened in a big way when Nellie passed away in May 2018. Suddenly his one close friend was gone. He became depressed and lost some weight. His eyes lost some of their shine. But later in the year, Sniffy started to rebound. It’s as if sweet Nellie whispered to him, “Not yet, my dear friend. Strut your stuff. Show them how you can run and play and how you like people. Give yourself a chance to find a home and family. Do it for me.”
And so, Sniffy re-gained his senior spunk in a big way. When the League sent him back to Encore this February, he loved being outside in the play yard. He gave so many play bows that we think he was training us – a play bow equals treats, you silly hoomans! He reminded us that no other dog is going to take Nellie’s place – he had no patience for Mae or Krista. He still doesn’t like change – moving from the van to the building or from room to room made him uncomfortable. But he hung in there and with encouragement and patience he ended up walking all through the building and saying hi to people. (Nellie was probably whispering in his ear along the way.)
We don’t know how much more time Sniffy has here before he and Nellie will join up at the Rainbow Bridge. But wouldn’t it be amazing if someone could give this senior dog a home for the time he has left? He could stay outside in a fenced yard a lot of the time, since he’s so much more comfortable outside. And just come in at night and when it’s really hot or cold. Is there someone that could build him a waterproof dog house so he could have a soft bed outside? Or with a screened in porch so he could sleep on a plumpy pillow but still feel the breeze through his thick fur? Sniffy doesn’t need much. Some attention, some treats, some routines. A place to reflect on his memories and make a few new ones, too.
For more pictures and video please visit Encore’s article.
It is said that every dog has his day, lets see if there is someone out there that can help Sniffy have his. – The Staff of The Jacksonville Journal
