The "I'm A Keeper!" series is a collection of heartwarming stories about wonderful pets who have found or kept a loving forever home because someone took the time to get to know that animal as an individual and provide what he or she needed to be happy. Find the whole collection of stories by clicking here.
A Pennsylvania couple made a move that forever changed the life of an under-socialized shelter dog who had previously lived his life outdoors: They decided to give the at-risk dog a second chance.
“I saw Kiba’s potential,” says Jennifer Washicosky, “and I wasn't ready to choose death for him when I saw how much he wanted to live his life.”
But it was the help that came from Best Friends’ Community Animal Assistance department that sealed the deal for Kiba’s permanent home.
Kiba’s saga began when the seven-year-old beagle mix found himself at the local shelter after his person died. Soon after arriving at the shelter, he was adopted. But he was returned just as quickly when his adopter tripped and fell on top of Kiba. According to a police report that was filed, Kiba bit his owner.
Back in the shelter, Kiba was relegated to the quarantine area, where his future was uncertain. Once Jennifer learned about Kiba’s plight, she went to the shelter to meet him.
Because he was quarantined, no one knew that Kiba did not get along with other dogs. But Jennifer and her husband, John, learned that soon enough once Kilba spent time with their three dogs, Buckley, Tsuki and Kitsu. On top of that, Kiba marked all over their house.
“We learned that Kiba had trust issues,” Jennifer says. “He was reactive to other dogs, including my three, and he didn't seem to like my husband much at all.” They also learned that Kiba had tested positive for Lyme disease.
So, Jennifer contacted the shelter and, with the new knowledge about his behavior, the shelter deemed Kiba “unadoptable.” It was a certain death sentence if they returned him.
That’s when Jennifer contacted Best Friends’ Community Animal Assistance department, where specialist Linda Gage handled the case. Linda stayed in touch with Jennifer after offering resources, which included where to find a trainer and behaviorist in her area, as well as training information and tips.
Behavior-wise, Kiba continued growling at Jennifer’s husband and even once lunged at him. Also, Jennifer says, “He was getting uncontrollable in his response to other dogs — lunging and thrashing, barking and whining, drooling and sometimes screaming. It was becoming hazardous to leave the house with him.”
Once a behaviorist began working with Kiba and the couple, Kiba’s behavior improved dramatically. “We felt like we had control enough to stay safe and keep other dogs safe around Kiba,” Jennifer says.
So they began looking for a permanent home for Kiba.
But over time, Kiba got used to their routines and schedule, “and he proved himself to be compatible with our three,” she says. And they realized, as Jennifer put it, that Kiba “was already home.”
The decision to keep him does not mean it’s been an easy adjustment. Still, Jennifer notes, “I suppose nothing worth working for ever is.”
Not giving up on Kiba meant being able to see past his behaviors and look at his potential. Jennifer says, “He is an unwaveringly loyal dog. He trusts me, and I'm learning to trust him with every snippet of success we see with his behavior modification. He's never growled at me, even if I repeat the same action he had an issue with when my husband did it — like petting his head while he's settling in for a nap. He's cuddly and happy with me. He'll even lick me.”
Looking toward the future, Jennifer says, “I have a lot of hope for Kiba. We're moving to a rural home so he doesn't have to encounter as many dogs. He's finished nine weeks of training, and in that time, we've been able to let him off leash with a dog he met four times — definitely good progress.”
“Keeping Kiba,” she continues, “means the end of my three-year fostering ‘career,’ but that's a sacrifice I'm willing to make.”
To the Community Animal Assistance department and specialist Linda Gage, Jennifer says, “We could never thank you guys enough. You gave us the means to save Kiba's life.”
To learn more and to take action:
How to solve challenges with your pet
- Best Friends has an extensive online resource library written by animal care experts that contains tips to help you live in harmony with your dogs, cats, birds, bunnies, horses, pigs, ferrets, exotics and even wildlife. Please visit "You and Your Pets." Keep in mind that the ultimate solution may be a combination of strategies or a matter of taking the time to fully understand your pet and what he or she needs to be content. Download a printable flyer that you can hand out to help guide people to this extensive online resource.
- Each week, our Community Animal Assistance (CAA) department receives nearly 500 requests from people seeking help with an animal. CAA has made all its resources available for you online so you can get quick answers to your questions. For help with your animal-related problem, visit the Network Help Center. If you need additional help after visiting these resources, please write to animalhelp@bestfriends.org.
- Learn about the Best Friends Admissions Policy.
- Read our blog about "Community Animal Assistance: Keeping Animals Out of Shelters."
- Want to volunteer with the Best Friends Community Animal Assistance team? Click here for volunteer opportunities.
"Pets are family" initiatives
The goal of the "pets are family" initiatives is to help people make and honor a lifetime commitment to their pets. Millions of companion animals die every year in crowded shelters because their families decided to let them go for some reason. Through education, intervention and action, "pets are family" provides guidance and resources to help people care for their pets and keep them as loved members of their families. Every year, 8 to 10 million pets enter America’s shelter system. How many of them if given a helping hand could stay with their families instead? By supporting the "pets are family" initiatives, you help bring about a time when there are No More Homeless Pets.
Photos courtesy of Jennifer Washicosky