Charles needs a foster.
And I don’t know how else to say it other than shelter life is breaking his heart and everyone who loves him is having to watch it happen.
If you visit the shelter, you might hear him before you see him. Not because he is a bad dog. Not because he is trying to be difficult. But because he is confused and heartbroken and tired of not knowing when someone is coming back for him.
Charles has been in homes before. He has done well in homes before. He has proven that he can be someone’s little shadow, someone’s couch buddy, someone’s slow-walk-around-the-yard-and-then-back-inside kind of dog.
But through no fault of his own, he keeps ending up back here.
People move. People downsize. Life changes. And somehow Charles is the one left wondering why the home he finally started to trust disappeared again.
One of his past fosters said he was “very, very sweet and cuddly.” She said he followed her around the house just to be near her. And when she left for work, he would curl up around her shoes.
Not to chew them.
Just to be close to something that smelled like someone he loved.
Another past foster said, “Charles is the biggest cuddle bug whose only goals in life are to be loved and to make his people happy. He’s been through his fair share of tough experiences, none of which have been his fault, and despite it all he still has the biggest heart and so much love to give.”
That is Charles.
He has a hilarious little overbite, so his friends tuck treats into his mouth for him. He loves clothes. He has good house manners. He does his business outside and comes back in quickly. He is not asking for a huge adventure dog life. He has some back pain, so he likes things a little slower.
A backyard for little walks.
A soft place to land.
A person willing to meet him more than once.
A couch.
Maybe some pajamas.
Maybe Little Bear on the TV.
That is the dream.
We know Charles may need a few meet and greets before he decides you are safe. We know that stops people sometimes. But please don’t let that be the reason he keeps waiting.
Because as his foster said, “It may take a little extra effort to let him know he’s safe, but the reward is an incredible friendship like no other.”
You would not be doing this alone. You would have our behavior team, staff, volunteers, and even his past fosters cheering you on and helping you through it.
We just need someone to give him a real chance.
Charles is 5 years old and we are begging the universe to please let his bad luck streak end here.
If you have questions, please comment below or reach out to our foster team at (713) 714-2215.