Adopting Bo – Dog Tales Rescue

Two months ago Mike and I became pawrents. We had been trying for months to find the right rescue. All we wanted was a dog that really needed a home. This proved to be harder then we thought. We visited many shelters but always left feeling sad. Why were we having such a hard time? We had a happy home and so much love to give.

We were leaving a shelter again disappointed when the lady at the desk called for us. She gave us a piece of paper that would change our lives. The first shelter listed on that paper was Dog Tales Rescue. Mike hadn’t been feeling great that day and even though I had already talked him into going to the shelter just down the street, I was now talking him into driving all the way to Newmarket.
We had been given a list of dogs that could be great for us when one of the workers threw in a wildcard. His name was Boaz. He wasn’t high energy or a snuggler but he was loved by everyone. Boaz had been overlooked by visitors for 104 open houses at the shelter. Something rare happened that moment we first saw Bo. He wagged his tail instead of barking.

I have to be honest. I was nervous about adopting Boaz. We were told very matter of factly that we could never fully trust him around people. There might always be a chance his fear could turn into aggression. Nonetheless, Mike fell in love with him in that first moment and that meant something. I trusted that his love was rightfully placed.

So why such a warning with Boaz? Bo was born in Israel. He was rescued, oddly enough, from a shelter. This “shelter” had begun hoarding dogs. He was neglected, housed in squalor and forced to fight for food. It’s not surprising he came to distrust people. It’s not known whether he was ever part of a family.

This path hasn’t been easy. We’ve had to teach him how to use stairs and cleaned up lots of car sickness. At the end of the day, we couldn’t have asked for a sweeter dog. He doesn’t have to snuggle, he shows us how much he loves us by always being close. Whether it’s insisting on sleeping in the bed with us or following us into every room. He’s learning how to be a part of a family. But for us, it feels like he’s always been a part of ours.

Now that you know how Mike & I found Bo, find out how Mike & I found each other.