Presley came to rescue, to Almost Home Foster & Rescue by way of a breeder release. This gorgeous, beautifully coated dog “was too big.” At 12.2#, she was too big to throw “toy” poodles, “I can’t use her.”
UGH! My head spins, my stomach churns and I am disgusted. However, it is the best thing for Presley that she has been labeled, “Not good enough.” We think she is PERFECT. And so begins the vetting process, spay, and getting her ready for her new family.
We posted Presley and within hours we had our first application, and it lightened our hearts. Although Presley would be their first “family dog,” Heidi was raised on a farm in NE Iowa and grew up respecting the land and the animals they cared for. Heidi and her husband Jarnail were also working for a non-profit organization out on the East Coast, working to enrich the lives of others through sustainable farming and feeding the masses.
As promised, their daughter was now old enough to help with the responsibility of a family pet. A furbaby was a desire of hers for a long time. And, with momma working remotely, this was the perfect time and opportunity for adoption.
Breeder release dogs present their own challenges. They lack socialization skills. They have been viewed as a commodity, therefore, collars, harnesses, leashes, and certainly, walking on a leash is foreign and scary. Trust, or the lack of it, is apparent, as they cower, run, and try to fold themselves into the smallest unit of oneself as possible. Presley was all of this…but after three well timed visits with the family when they were back in the Midwest for vacation, Presley was warming up.
Last night, Presley experienced another first as she flew back home with her family in tow. Car ride to the airport, long TSA lines, paperwork, regulation crate for cabin travel, and a two hour flight back East….that’s a lot of firsts. Hang on Presley, there will be many more.
Thank you Heidi, Jarnail and Ajooni for opening your hearts and home to Presley. Thank you for giving her that chance at having her own family, home and a life worth living. We are furever grateful.