11/24/2025
Two years ago, almost to the day, I wrote the post I'm getting ready to repost. It still holds true, and we see it a little more each day with each pet that comes in, whether stray or surrender. Please take a minute to read, it is long, but tells a lot about the pets that come to us, and well, their quirks.
Last night while driving home, I got to thinking about the dogs in our shelter. This is not an uncommon occurrence seeing as I'm forever trying to think of new and inventive ways to get them out there for people to see! As I was thinking about them, their individual personalities and quirks, it hit me, Shelters are full because these are the dogs that have quirks and sometimes less than appealing personality traits. Puppies are almost always the first ones to be adopted in any shelter, primarily because they're cute, but they've also not developed any personality quirks or bad habits for the most part, and can be easily trained. However, the older dogs, the ones that have been in homes and not quite trained, or trained in a truly negative way that has caused them to flinch when you go to pet them because they expect that hand to hit them, those owners give up on them because they didn't "learn" the right way to act or they just get tired of "training", that's when those pups end up here.
We get the quirky dogs. The ones who really can't handle being home alone, and when they are they get into things they shouldn't and then end up here.
We get the dogs who cower in the corner or act defensively when people try to get a leash on them because they've been hit one too many times.
We get the dogs that bark or sing too much and the neighbors complain or owners don't want to deal with it.
We get the high energy pups that owners didn't do the research on before getting them, and now they have a full grown dog with endless energy that they can't fulfil and the pup gets into trouble for being bored.
Shelters are full, because we get the quirky dogs. the ones that grew out of their puppy cuteness, the ones that are too old and they want a younger model, the ones who have accidents because they were never actually house trained, or pull on a leash because they were allowed to pull the owner instead of the owner working to learn how to properly guide them in leash manners.
We get the quirky pets.
Yet, we love them each for their individual quirks. We work with them to try to fix the bad habits they've acquired. We give them the love and attention to try to encourage a bit of confidence when left alone for a little bit. We ask for fosters to help introduce them into a caring and loving environment where they can learn all of the manners and capabilities to make them successful in their new homes. We love them despite their messy kennels, or shredded toys. We love them despite being jumped on or dragged down the road on a leash. We love them despite them being the quirky dogs that just weren't enough for the people who got them.
It hurts us when they come in, and people look at them and want them for their cuteness, only to bring them back or stop messaging us because their quirks start to show. We hurt when we can see their sadness or hear their whining and barking when we have to leave for the shift, and wonder if that chew toy we gave them will be enough to get them through the next couple of hours until the next shift comes in. We hurt when we know that because of their quirks, they'll be here for a bit because they're not a perfect show worthy dog.
We would love to be able to take each of them home and give them the care and love they deserve, but unfortunately that's not an option for most of us.
So I'll leave you with this, before you drop your quirky pet off at a shelter, think of the ways you might be able to change those quirky behaviors that are making you give up on them. Call in for help from trainers, or friends who have the ideal pet and ask them how they got their dog to be so well behaved or friendly. Think of all of the other options before dropping them off at the shelter, because as much as we love them, they love You as their owner and won't understand why they don't get to go home with you when all is said and done.
The current quirky dog (and cat) we have staying with us.
Artie- Super shy at first, gets very nervous with new people and can act negatively, but once she realizes that you just want to give her love and affection, she's all yours. She really needs a full time foster, or forever home. She's ready for either. She's pretty dog selective, so we'd recommend that she be an only pup, and she has a decent prey drive, if you have a squirrel or raccoon problem, she's your girl. We truly love Artie and while we understand her quirks, we think she'll make the perfect pet for the right people
Portia- Sweetest girl you'll ever meet, but needs the time and affection to warm up to others. She came in with Dusty, and he's readjusting fine, and we think he'll be great with pretty much anyone, well minus those with dogs or loud children, but Portia is so much more reserved and shy. She'd do well with an older nurturing cat and a nice blanket to lie on. That really is her only quirk.
FLSF.petfinder.com
