Doggy daycare Hounds Town USA regularly works with local shelters and rescues to help dogs in need. And Hounds Town – Garden City is no exception! After opening their popular facility in April, owners Colleen Tracey-Shaver and Anne McDonald immediately began working with the Town of Hempstead Animal Shelter. Their hope was to foster dogs that needed some extra help getting adopted.
COYOTE AND BOBI
It was through the shelter that the pair first discovered Coyote and Bobi. These two brothers were purchased as puppies at a flea market in North Carolina before their owner surrendered them. They had been kept outside most of their lives and desperately needed help.
Coyote, an Australian Cattle dog, and Bobi, a 2 1/2 year old Terrier mix, were incredibly sweet pups with so much potential for love if given the chance. Colleen and Anne knew instantly that they could foster these two cuties and have them live together at Hounds Town. By playing with other dogs and training with the staff at Hounds Town – Garden City, Coyote and Bobi could ready themselves for a new furever home!
ANXIETY MAKES ADOPTION TOUGH
When the dogs first arrived at Hounds Town, Coyote was the alpha of the brothers. Smart and tough, he gave Bobi extra confidence, especially since Bobi was very nervous, particularly around men. That anxiety could make adoption difficult. A few of the male employees volunteered to help Bobi get over his fears by patiently introducing themselves to him. They worked with the anxious pup, training him daily. It wasn’t long before this terrified Terrier was snuggling, playing, and giving kisses to everyone, male and female alike.
With his new-found confidence, though, the dynamic of Bobi’s relationship changed with alpha Coyote. Colleen and Anne realized that the pair had a better shot of finding their new families if they were adopted separately. Though they were devastated to see him go back to the shelter, Coyote was ready first. And all his training and socialization paid off because Coyote was adopted almost immediately upon returning to the shelter!
THE STUDENT BECOMES THE TEACHER
Bobi stayed on at Hounds Town, but the student mastered his skills and was ready to teach others! Colleen and Anne began introducing Bobi to all the mid-sized dogs who first come to Hounds Town for the “Meet & Greet/ Temperament Test.” Colleen says, “Bobi is the perfect dog for the test because he has the sweetest, calmest temperament. He flourished under our foster care here.”
A HAPPY ENDING
Bobi has found his new furever home! Colleen confirmed that he will be leaving his Hounds Town foster family for his new home at the end of September. Though they are sad to be losing their beautiful Bobi, Colleen has no regrets. “The experience of fostering and nurturing a shy, nervous dog so he finds his confidence is one of the most amazing experiences I have ever had,” she says. “I wouldn’t trade it for the world.”
To follow along the adventures at Hounds Town – Garden City, please follow them on Instagram and Facebook. To learn more about the Hounds Town Charities or to help, you can find them here.