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A picture tells 1,000 words And this is one of our favorites: Ann.
Our favorite photos are those of animals' faces; their eyes full of expression, their lips pursed as if they're speaking just to us, their tongue giving us a "kiss" (or maybe cleaning up our dinner). But this is an exception. You see, Ann, pictured here, originally came from a “hog-dog” fighting ring, where she was used for her ability to reproduce. She and her friend Ivan were forced to breed, carry, birth and care for puppies who were then made to fight to death while humans watched. Victims of horrid abuse. They didn’t know regular dog life. They had never experienced the joy of walks. Or a warm bed. Or even a tiny treat. They'd never felt carpet or tile... let alone love. When they were rescued and brought to the Humane Society of Huron Valley, our canine behaviorists worked with them, gently helping them with their fears. Soon after, happy Ivan was adopted. But Ann, more reserved, waited at the back of her kennel. And waited. And waited. Ann was in our shelter 18 months. Until Empty the Shelters, a free adoption day sponsored by the Bissell Pet Foundation. The thing is: it wasn’t the free adoption. We’d have waived her adoption fee, given out free food, thrown a block party—done whatever it took for the right adopter. It was finding that right adopter. On April 29, Jane walked around the dog kennels and looked at every dog. She'd heard about Empty the Shelters and came to HSHV, open to adopting but not really sure who. She'd lost her 13 year old lab mix several years ago. On her first look around the kennels, Ann wasn’t there, but Jane read the information about her posted on her kennel. And then, as the hubbub around the kennels died down, Ann came out from hiding. She curled up in her bed and looked up at Jane. “Oh, no.” Jane said, “It’s you.” Jane told staff she’d found the one. And as Jane made her way through HSHV's adoption process, word spread. Staffers burst into tears and hugged each other. After a year and a half in our care, Ann had finally found her home. Above is a photo of Ann at the gate of HSHV. Leaving our shelter to go to her very own home. A picture she probably never envisioned and one we celebrate with you. Thank you, adopters like Jane, for loving animals unconditionally. Thank you, volunteers and fosters, for persevering. Thank you, donors, for supporting HSHV and the animals -- even when it takes longer for some animals than others. This photo and Ann's story would not be possible without you.
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