Two dog tales
By Kathi Hamblet

Research shows that we can usually predict with a certain amount of accuracy how a shelter dog will respond in a home situation. After a dog has recovered from the initial stress of arriving at the SPA, we do an evaluation. Most of the time we can guess right from the beginning which dogs will be the most difficult to place into the right home. The way they adapt to shelter life tells a lot. As long as these dogs are not aggressive or sick and suffering, the SPA continues to shelter them until we can find them a permanent home.

Today I want to introduce two dogs. Both have been living in the shelter too long and deserve families of their own.

Fanta is a medium-sized black dog that is extremely fearful of strangers. Typically, when people come to visit she hides in her house, trying to make herself invisible. Once you have made friends with her, though, it is for life. One volunteer came to San Miguel for a week almost two years ago but took the time to get to know Fanta. He came back recently and found that Fanta remembered him and came right to the front of her cage. When Lynn, her special volunteer, arrives at the shelter, Fanta leaps in the air and does her happy dance, twirling and spinning with joy. We have tried hard to figure out why she is so fearful. For about three weeks we sent every available stranger who arrived at the SPA to visit Fanta with treats and soft words. At first we thought she might be fearful of only men, or people with hats or glasses or maybe kids, but no—she responded the same to every stranger. She eventually made friends with every single person who took the time to gain her trust. Once she knew them, they could retu
rn at any time and she would come right up to greet them. How can we find someone to adopt her when prospective families see her hiding? Too many other dogs wait eagerly to greet every new visitor, so people just move away from her cage to look at those dogs that seem more interested. I can understand why Fanta is still living in the shelter. She needs a very special person. We can predict that she will be fearful of every new person who comes to your house and every stranger she meets on the street. As fearful as she is, however, she has never snapped or become aggressive toward people, but she would do best in a situation without other dogs. I know there is a special home out there for Fanta. Is it yours?

Pinquica is a sweet dog that has me completely confused. I would have predicted a two- to three-week stay at the most. This girl will do well in almost any situation where she can be around people. She is great with kids, cats and other dogs, and though she needs some exercise every day she would be easy to have around. I believe she would be very protective of your home and a great guard dog but would not be an excessive barker.

She has a rich, thick coat with beautiful markings and she watches with calm, intelligent eyes. She is one of the stars in the training program and is bilingual. She knows how to sit, stay, heel and roll over and is a delight to work with. Her tail never stops wagging. Pinquica is a little over a year old and truly has been overlooked. She is simply charming. 

The SPA plans to have dogs and cats for adoption at the Chili Cook-off on January 24 at Hotel Real de Minas. Watch for Pinquica and other delightful animals and come taste some great chili.