After escaping the floods of the torrents of atmospheric river, Connie has a home
She was found clinging to a log, and to life, on a log boom in the Fraser River, a year ago after last November's atmospheric river pounded Metro Vancouver.
But finally, Connie, a chocolate-coloured mastiff-mix dog who weighs in at more than 45 kilograms, may have her forever home.
A family who’d previously looked at Connie, have now returned and the adoption process is underway, said Delta Community Animal Shelter manager Ryan Voutilainen.
Connie has been at the centre for a year, virtually since the disastrous weather that hit the region.
To celebrate, staff dressed up Connie and had a "pity party," to celebrate her year and posted it on Facebook.
“We’re not really sure how she made it here,” said Voutilainen.
Despite contacting other shelters, no one ever came forward to claim the dog.
He acknowledged that a year is a long time for a dog to be in a shelter but added that Connie, who’s still young at between one and two years old, is doing well in a shelter environment, though she does have some issues.
Connie’s excitable and energetic, loves to play with toys and to be around people.
But she likes to jump up, and yip when she’s trying to see something and pulls on the leash. However, thanks to a dedicated routine and some anxiety medication, she’s been able to relax, which has helped her training a lot, said the shelter.
Having a proper home should allow for more stability than a shelter can offer. That also could allow a weaning off of the medication as well.
Although Connie’s adoption seems imminent, Voutilainen said there have been other inquiries after Connie’s one-year anniversary in the shelter was covered in other media.
But before then, there wasn’t much interest.
“She’s a large, black dog,” he said. People usually are looking for smaller dogs.
“It’s more because of her size that’s really the hardest thing to try and find her a home.”
As the pandemic wanes and the costs of inflation increase, more people are giving up their pets and fewer are adopting.
Currently, four dogs are awaiting adoption at the Delta Community Animal Shelter, while there are also two, high-need stray dogs at the shelter.
Last summer, two dogs which had collars and leashes on, were found in North Delta. But no one has stepped forward to claim them.
Another two dogs were left tied up outside the shelter, for staff to find upon opening in the morning.
Voutilainen said it’s not so much about physical space needed by dogs but the amount of time spent by the owner. “It’s about the ability and having the time to get them out for daily enrichment and exercise and that sort of thing.”
Showing dogs new surroundings or taking them on new walks is a good way of tiring them out, he added.
Another 30 cats are at the shelter, more than usually there in the month of November, are also looking for a place to call home.
