Fostering dogs is a heartwarming journey many animal lovers embark on.
It’s about opening your home to a homeless dog from a shelter, providing them with love, care, and attention as if they were your own.
This was the path chosen by Julie Harrison-Harney, who decided to foster Chips Ahoy, a shelter dog, with the intention of caring for her until she found a permanent home.
When Chips Ahoy first arrived at Julie and her husband Brendan’s home, she was a bundle of nerves.
“She would cower under the dog bed. She couldn’t relax,” Julie recounted to The Dodo.
This timid dog was always on edge, shying away even from treats like peanut butter.
Julie described her initial days, “She wouldn’t eat anything. Wouldn’t let us come near her without recoiling or trying to find another place to hide.”
The reason behind Chips Ahoy’s fear was the numerous changes she had experienced in her life, leaving her scared of almost everything.
But, Julie and Brendan were patient.
They understood that building trust with Chips Ahoy would take time. They gave her the necessary care and attention, ensuring not to overwhelm her.
Brendan’s approach was simple yet effective. He would sit beside Chips Ahoy, gently petting her for up to 40 minutes at a time.
This consistent, gentle presence helped Chips Ahoy start to see Brendan as her protector.
She began to follow him everywhere, even into the bathroom, and would sit at his feet for hours.
Eventually, Chips Ahoy began to overcome her initial challenges, and her foster parents felt she was ready for a forever home.
They were thrilled yet saddened when they learned someone wanted to adopt her.
It was a bittersweet moment as they prepared to say goodbye, excited for Chips’ new chapter.
However, just two days after being adopted, Chips Ahoy was returned.
The new owner described her as “too much work.” Without hesitation, Brendan and Julie welcomed her back, knowing she just needed more time to adjust.
Back in their care, Chips Ahoy began to relax more, even starting to take naps during the day, something she hadn’t done before.
As time passed, Chips Ahoy’s personality blossomed. She discovered a love for playing with other dogs and began to trust Julie as much as Brendan, playfully stealing her socks.
Julie didn’t mind at all, overjoyed to see Chips Ahoy finally comfortable.
“There is a completely different energy and pet in Chips Ahoy now,” Julie shared, delighted at the transformation from a scared, timid dog to one who would happily jump on the couch to stay beside her.
This journey led Brendan and Julie to a heartwarming realization: they couldn’t part with Chips Ahoy again.
“Chips Ahoy is ours. This is our dog, and we wanna adopt her, and we want to give her our home,” Julie expressed.
She humorously referred to herself as a proud ‘foster failure,’ happy to fail if it meant keeping Chips Ahoy.
Their story shows the power of patience, love, and understanding in transforming the life of a once-frightened shelter dog.
Chips Ahoy, once shy and withdrawn, found her forever home where she was truly understood and loved. It’s a beautiful reminder of the impact we can have on the lives of animals in need.
Check out Chips Ahoy’s full story in the video below!
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