Welcome Center Dogs: Part II “Miss Congeniality”
Faith’s story begins at a kill shelter in Maricopa County, AZ where she was labeled unadoptable due to severe separation anxiety. She had been in three previous homes. During her first two adoptions, Faith was crated and managed to repeatedly escape, injuring herself and damaging the homes in the process. She achieved unadoptable status after putting herself through a plate glass window.
At this point, the Arizona shelter contacted the Animal Help Department at Best Friends, hoping to save Faith from being put down. Through a “twist of Faith”, she was accepted at the sanctuary and soon became an “out dog” at the Fairway. It seems that Faith must have had a guardian angel or two looking out for her. Her caregiver at the Fairway suggested to Pam Blinten, another BF employee, that Faith might benefit from an outing. Pam, a real dog lover with several dogs at home already, didn’t hesitate. Faith went home with Pam, met her existing pack, played in the snow and stayed overnight. The next day, Pam woke up with Faith curled up at the bottom of her bed. That was all it took – Faith was staying with Pam.
Pam’s other dogs embraced Faith and she soon became the natural female alpha of the pack. She has never chewed anything in this new home and is Pam’s best-behaved dog. Pam was soon bringing Faith to work as a Welcome Center dog. She has a natural affinity for diffusing difficult situations, meeting new dogs and putting them at ease, even those who have greeted her with aggression.
During the time that Pam worked as the Angel’s Rest Coordinator, Faith was her support dog. Faith's presence at placement ceremonies helped comfort many people through this difficult time. It seemed she always knew when someone needed a dog kiss or hug.
After three and a half years, Faith is now so popular at the Welcome Center that she receives her own fan mail. Visitors who haven’t visited the sanctuary in several years remember meeting Faith. She lives for her job and can’t wait to get to work after the weekend. Faith frequently volunteers to help out at the front desk, putting her paws on the counter and peering at the visitors as if to say, “Can I help you?” She is most famous for lying on her back in the middle of the Welcome Center lobby waiting for belly rubs. Some lucky visitors get to spend extra time with Faith when she accompanies Pam on tours. She takes her seat directly behind the driver; then 5 minutes into the tour, promptly stretches her head across the aisle, trustingly placing her head into the lap of whoever occupies that seat.
Faith’s story is proof that “unadoptable” rescue dogs can make the best companions.
Photo by Pam Meier & story by Sue Francesconi