Ryan, Bear, and Me 2011

A Boy Named Ryan...and His Dog Named Bear.  Part II (Bear's story)

I was on my way to the Waco Humane Society, praying I would get there before they euthanized Bear. It was a very long hour! I knew deep down that Bear needed Ryan as badly as Ryan needed Bear. His pictures showed me a dog that needed a person and a job. I was determined as I walked into their office, and asked the lady at the desk if Bear was still available (hoping she wasn't going to say no, you're too late), but she said yes he was, hesitated, and then she asked, "Why do you want to see Bear?" We have so many other dogs you might like better." I explained to her that Bear was for my autistic boy, and I specifically wanted to see him, that I planned on having Bear certified as an assistance dog. I noticed two other women in the office listening, and one of them interrupted, and said "Oh no you don't want Bear! If you're looking for an Australian Shepherd sized dog, Bear isn't it! He's HUGE! She pointed to her hip indicating a very big dog. She went on to say "He is also, dog aggressive, and aggressive towards men too!" I asked them how long Bear had been at the shelter and they said 6 months. Whoa, that will make any dog act outside of character! A shelter is like doggy jail, causing huge amounts of stress, anxiety, depression, and fear. Six months is a very long time to a sensitive dog, and Bear looked sensitive!

I could feet my heels digging in, because I can be very stubborn. So, I asked, "So when you say huge, how big are we talking? Is he as big as a Mastiff? She said no. "Is he as big as a German Shepherd and as heavy?" She said no. I stated, "Well then he isn't HUGE, I want to see him, and evaluate him for myself." I was mystified as to why these people were trying to prevent Bear from being adopted, but I was going to see him first, and make my own decision. I had many years experience in training animals, from dogs, to cats, to horses, and even a rabbit. I could evaluate and teach. Of course, I wasn't going to adopt him if I thought for one second he wasn't going to be a safe and loyal companion to Ryan! I got the feeling nobody in that room liked Bear at all. They refused to take me to his kennel, and gave vague instructions to walk through each of the kennel buildings until I found him.

The buildings were as long as stables, with dog kennels running on both sides. Each building was a cacophony of hysterically barking, madly jumping, excited dogs begging to be let out of their chain link kennels. It was heartbreaking to see so many upset, unhappy dogs, that truly wanted to go home with us now! I felt sad for them all! We walked through building after building. Hundreds of dogs! It wasn't until I was walking down the path to the last kennel (which unlike the others it was open air and that day the temperature was around 110F), that I glimpsed a big black dog with a white chest sitting looking out of his chain link door. I thought at first I was looking at a Burmese Mountain dog, but then he moved his head, looking to the side as I approached and I thought, "Omg! That's Bear!" He was the biggest Australian Shepherd I'd ever seen, but there was no doubt that indeed that's what he was. As I approached his gate, he backed away from me. He didn't growl or bark,  he was just being cautious. I thought quickly. I needed him to approach me, not be so cautious, so I could tell if he was truly aggressive. I knew not to make eye contact, because the office had already told me he was an intact male (not neutered even though he had been there for six months!), and after seeing all the other dogs, I knew he had been stressed for a very long time.

I had an idea. I got directly in front of his gate, turned my body sideways and then squatted down. Thereby reducing my threatening height, and turning my face to keep from staring directly into his face. Bear's response was immediate. He came right up to the gate, sat down and started rubbing his body against the fence, desperately trying to get petted. I looked into his eyes and what I saw immediately made me teary eyed. He had the softest, sweetest, gentlest, brown eyes I have ever seen in a dog. He wanted me to pet him, so (through the chain link) I did. He wiggled with delight all over his body. I stood up and faced him. He stood up and put his paws on the fence and looked at me, and smiled a big dog grin, as if to say...I'm yours, I love you, please get me the hell out of here now! I petted his chest, and burst into tears. I was overwhelmed by his suffering, his depression, and his stress. I was wiping away my tears, when a pretty blond woman walked up behind me. She had a leash in her hands. She asked if I needed help and I said I had come to get Bear, and I wanted him. I told her my story, and how badly we needed Bear. Her name was Gail Forrest (an angel of mercy and a volunteer there) and she burst into tears and gave me a long hug. She  had been coming to get Bear to take him for his last car ride to Sonics, for his last hamburger. I cried a little more and assured her that was NOT going to happen! I let her know of the resistance in the office, and asked if she could help me with the adoption process? She said yes.

Bear was excited to be out of his kennel, but walked nicely on the lead next to Gail, as she led us to an outdoor visitation yard. She wanted me to visit with Bear to make sure he was what I wanted. When I finally ran my hands down Bear's whole body I was shocked! Bear was a skeleton! Under that thick, soft coat was an emaciated dog. He was also subdued for an Australian Shepherd, laying down to rest when he should have been bouncing around. I knew right then and there, Bear was sick. I said a prayer to St.Francis that it wasn't advanced heart worms. I vowed to get him to the vet first thing in the morning. I watched Bear as they put a little terrier dog in the next yard. The little dog charged the fence at Bear, barking and acting aggressive, Bear calmly walked up to the fence, sniffed the furious little dog and walked away. So much for dog aggression. After about 20 minutes I was ready to start the paperwork.

We entered the office and I filled out the paperwork, keeping an eye on Bear, as many people filled up the office, surrendering pets. He sat quietly with my son's fiance, his head in her lap, happy to be petted. When I turned in the papers to the lady at the front desk, she noticed we had a miniature dachshund at home. "Well", she said "You can't take him home today, until we have a "meet and greet" with the other dog, AND he has to do the same with your son." I said, "Did I mention I drove over 50 miles to get here, and you're asking me to drive 100 miles round trip for an unnecessary exercise, because he hasn't shown any problem since we came into this office?" "Also, my son has grown up around dogs, he will know how to handle himself." She wasn't budging. Just then providence stepped in as the manager (Tim) of the shelter came in. Gale asked Tim if he would interview me. I introduced myself and mentioned the e-mail and the voicemail I had sent to him concerning Bear, but he hadn't received either of them.

Tim asked my background with dogs, and I let him know I had been a breeder, a trainer, and at one time had been a trainer of problem dogs in Miami. He liked the plans I had for Bear, and signed my paperwork so I could take Bear home right them and there. I let out a huge sigh of relief! Except, even after Tim signed the paperwork, the front desk lady chased him down, asked to speak with him outside, and tried to dissuade him from letting me adopt Bear. He put his foot down, and I was free to finally get Bear out of there, and home! I will never know why they clearly disliked Bear, and not only didn't believe he deserved a home, but wanted him dead. I was relieved as I opened the car door... said "Hup"... and Bear jumped into the car and sat like a pro.

As I drove away, I felt goosebumps rise up all over me, as if the angels, (and St Francis) had been with Bear and I all that fateful day! I believed that whatever trauma and unhappiness Bear had suffered would fade once he was healthy and home. He could be himself again. A young, handsome, big hearted, and happy dog. I already knew by looking into his eyes, he was the right dog for Ryan. He would KNOW what his job was, just as surely as I had known the first time I looked into his eyes knew that he was THE dog. He could be Ryan's friend, and guardian. He would love my boy, and love his job. He had a purpose now...

For now my friends, I leave the story here. Part IV is all about Ryan and Bear's first meeting, and how amazing that first day was! Until then I bid you peace.
Beth