Boss Man arrived at our doors from Austin Animal Center when he was just a puppy. He wasn’t even a year old when we noticed he had some behavior quirks, but he quickly adapted to life here. He was enjoying playgroup and was even in the Canine Good Citizen Program! It wasn’t long until this cute pup was adopted; but sadly, Boss Man’s troubles weren’t over yet.
A year had passed when he was back at our doors after being hit by a car that left him with significant injuries. Due to his injuries, he was placed in a foster home right away to heal. This is when he met Tami.
As Tami began to get to know Boss Man, she realized he suffered from severe generalized anxiety. Things like riding in a car and living in a home were no longer comfortable for him. It would take a special home to bring him in. Thankfully his happy ending was beginning before anyone even knew it.
Below is part of the letter Tami sent to Carrie, our Dog Behavior Program Co-Manager, when she made the call to move forward with adopting Boss Man, nicked named B. After 800 days in their foster care, Boss Man was officially home.
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Boss Man, those that know him, know HIM. I wasn't quite prepared for the journey we were about to begin. The day we brought B home he cleared our six foot privacy fence trying to get the dog next door. First lesson, B can't even see another dog without utter chaos! I remember texting Liz that day [to share that] he has three working legs and [that he even] cleared our fence … "help!"
We then quickly learned B had severe separation anxiety – severe! I called my boss and asked if by chance I could bring my injured, human friendly, new foster to work and she surprisingly said yes. B went to work with me everyday for the first 3 months we had him. You see, B hated, I mean HATED, the car. He would poop or puke every single day on the way to and from work in my car, but we had no other option. My daughter came home from college for the summer and was able to be home with him during the day, and we were finally able to start leaving him for short periods of time until he eventually was okay at home [alone].
Our daily routine changed with B. We would get up at O'dark 30 before any other animals were out so B could get a walk in, and we would walk late at night so B could get a walk in. This was our new normal. I would pray for rain as I knew no one would be out and B and I could walk a little longer with a little more ease.
A year and a half ago, we relocated to Dallas for my husband’s job, and that threw a few new obstacles into our routine, but we managed and have since bought a house, with B in mind of course. It’s on a corner lot with no houses on either side or behind us. We have found a great vet that absolutely loves B and B does him.
With all of this being said, I always knew B knew he was home the moment he got into our car at APA!. He was right! It's definitely time to make this boy officially ours!
I have to thank the amazing staff at APA! for all you do everyday, and even more so the help you have all been with Boss. I'm forever grateful to the entire staff at APA!
Carrie, please send me the adoption papers. :)
Thank you,
Tami
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From the behavior staff, volunteers, medical team, foster team, the list goes on, it truly takes a village to make sure all the animals in our care find their forever homes. Here at APA!, we never give up on an animal, and do all we can to make sure the adopter or foster feels supported every step of the way.
Every life deserves saving, and we’re so thankful for the people out there willing to go above and beyond to give our animals their chance at happiness. Our hearts our full knowing that B has found his happy ending.
