Pick the Imperfect Ones

Rescue is defined as saving someone or something from danger, harm, or distress. In animal rescue, that can mean many things. Sometimes it's pulling a dog from a crowded shelter. Sometimes it's providing medical care, a safe place to sleep, or the patience to help a frightened animal learn to trust. And sometimes, rescue means recognizing that the dogs who need us most aren't always the easiest ones to place.

All of my dogs as an adult have been rescues. They were also all cute puppies when we brought them into our home. But not a one of them has been perfect. My first baby, Louie, became personally offended by any cheering or yelling during football games and would leave the room with a wicked side-eye. His younger sister, Leia, only ever liked Louie but has begrudgingly tolerated her younger sister, Lulu – all other dogs beware. Lulu prefers to perch on tables over snuggling on couches and has never outgrown peeing when she is excited (even on tables). But they have been safe, loved, and spoiled – and I wouldn’t have it any other way. None of them would have checked every box on someone's perfect-dog wish list. But they've checked every box that matters to me.

The Dogs Who Don't Get Picked

Many dogs find their forever homes shortly after arriving at shelters and animal rescues. But this piece is about the ones who are still waiting. My plea to the dogverse is to pick the imperfect ones. Pick the old one. Pick the one who is still a work in progress. Pick the one who comes with a handbook. Pick the ones who keep getting overlooked. Pick the ones nobody else wants. Every dog deserves to be somebody's first choice.

Dozer, the Old One

Dozer is a southern hound from Alabama. He’s approximately seven and a half years young and over 60 pounds. He burps, farts, and drools, but at his age, he makes no excuses. He has a howl so rusty and soulful that it breaks your heart while it makes you laugh. We don't know if he's ever had a home. His calluses and scars suggest that life hasn't always been easy, and he doesn't know a single command — nor does he care. All he wants is a soft place to lounge, some sniffing opportunities, and regular feeding times. He doesn’t want to be bothered by hyper dogs, and he has a dislike for cats. Just the simple things in life – he’s in his retirement era, after all.

Dozer is guilty of being too old, too big, untrained, a little gross, and belonging to what some might consider an undesirable breed. But you will melt when he makes his big ol’ body and even bigger head as tiny as they need to be to curl up on the couch with you to Netflix and chill.

Macaroni, the Work in Progress

Macaroni came into rescue from a hoarding case in southern Virginia. She is a 40-pound, two-year-old, wire-haired something. She had little opportunity to experience love, comfort, or trust in her early years. As a result, she is wary of new people, places, and things. But when she trusts you, you get to see her delightful personality and her adorable wiggle-butt dance. Macaroni just wants to live on island time, sipping dogtails with a canine buddy. She's not difficult. She just needs someone willing to move at her pace and give her the time and space to feel safe.

Macaroni’s biggest offenses? Being a little high-maintenance and socially awkward. She is not the dog to bring to the neighborhood fun run, because she will literally fun run away. But when she tentatively seeks out chin scratches or gives you a gentle “boop” with her nose when you aren't looking, it will fill your cup.

Carmie, the One Who Comes with a Handbook

I had Carmie for two months during a particularly tough time in my life. She was, quite literally, the reason I got out of bed in the morning. She needed someone to give her a chance, and it turned out I needed her just as much. She came to our rescue as a puppy with an undiagnosed heart condition. She also has a well-diagnosed condition of being part cattle dog – which means she will test your last nerve. She only likes humans and would like to eradicate the world of squirrels, rabbits and cats. She is not a bad dog. Quite the opposite — she's smart, loving, and hilarious. She just needs a specific environment.

Carmie has a lifelong medical condition that requires medication, and she needs an active home where she can be the only pet, with plenty of opportunities for physical and mental enrichment appropriate for her heart condition. She will talk back to you and steal your seat, but she is a sucker for cheek scratches and ham and cheese. She will absolutely hold court on outings, charming everyone from toddlers to busy shoppers to the paint guy at Lowe’s.

Pick the Ones Who’ve Been Waiting

If you're considering adopting, take another look at the dogs who've been waiting the longest. Ask about them. Meet them. You might be surprised by which dog steals your heart. Many are thriving in foster homes, learning routines, building confidence, and showing their personalities. Their longer stays aren't necessarily reflections of their worth or adoptability. Some wonderful dogs get overlooked for no obvious reason at all.

Dozer doesn't know he's too old and a little gross. Macaroni doesn't know she's high-maintenance and socially awkward. Carmie certainly doesn't know she has a medical condition and a sometimes overly exuberant personality. They don't know how many people have scrolled past their pictures or how many adoption applications have gone to other dogs. They just know the people who love them and the routines that make them happy.

I've had over 20 fosters in my home. They have destroyed my yard, ruined my carpets, thrown up in my car, tripped me, scratched me, and bruised me. One even ate two pairs of my glasses (looking at you, Carmie). But I have zero regrets. When something feels too big, too awful, too overwhelming, I say take it one foster dog at a time.

And pick the imperfect ones.

Dozer, Macaroni, Carmie, and many other wonderful dogs are waiting for their forever homes. Visit Operation Paws for Homes to meet our adoptable dogs and learn more about fostering.