By Janet McAfee
My name is Flower, and I am as beautiful as my name. The shelter staff nicknamed me “Rockstar of the Playgroup” because I happily zoom around outside with other dogs.
On July 23, 2022, an animal control officer brought me to the Coachella Valley Animal Campus, the Riverside County shelter in Thousand Palms. My heart broke when my humans never came looking for me. I am now the longest resident here, residing here for 2 months and 17 days. I pray someone adopts me before I lose hope and become very sad.
I am healthy and happy girl. They estimated I am 2 years of age, which I would confirm if I could talk. I heard a shelter worker say, “Flower has been here so long it’s a miracle she’s not despondent and kennel stressed.” It made me wonder, how long can a shelter dog wait and keep hoping?
I haven’t given up hope as I wait behind the kennel bars and look longingly at visitors. Sometimes the journey to a forever home is a long lone one. Sometimes I feel sad when I see some of the other dogs leave for new homes. I hear some people walk past my kennel and say they want a small dog. I’m 42 pounds of doggie love and loyalty. I’m the perfect size medium pup. I’m big enough to protect my future family, and the perfect size to go on car rides.
I heard one of the staff people say I am her favorite dog! That made me so happy. Someone said black dogs have a harder time getting adopted. That might be because it’s harder to see our eyes in photographs. Color is a powerful perception tool and people are drawn to tans, goldens, and brighter shades, even when they look at dogs in kennels. Luckily the picture here shows me proudly posing for our volunteer photographer, Cheryl Honts.
The shelter workers are kind to me, and I love the volunteers who take me for outdoor walks. My hobby is playing in the water in the pool in the big dog park with my dog buddies. It would be great if I could get a home where there is another friendly dog or two, but just having a human of my own would be wonderful.
Are you looking for a hiking buddy? That’s me! Are you looking for a best buddy who will lay by your feet when you watch television? That’s me! Are you looking for a friend to play ball with? That’s my favorite game. Whoever adopts me will be very lucky.
They say good things come to those who wait, and that means a very special human will adopt me soon. I pray someone reading this will come for me.
You can meet me at the shelter between the hours of 10am and 4pm Saturday through Monday at 72-050 Pet Land Place in Thousand Palms I am dog ID#A1656983. Ask a shelter employee to take me to a private visiting room for a meet and greet. I might give you a kiss when you arrive. I’m an active dog, but not a puppy which makes me easier to train. More information is on the shelter website www.rcdas.org, (760) 343-3644.
If you are still not sure about adopting, the shelter has a program where you can foster me! Call the foster coordinator at (951) 358-7376.
In happier times, I would be adopted by now. But the shelter is very crowded with many dogs and cats. Some of their owners lost their homes and moved where pets were not allowed. Some of the animals were brought here when their humans went back to work after the pandemic.
My dream is to be part of a happy family and bring them more joy! You can help me get a home soon. Pass this article on to your friends. Share my story by going online at www.coachellavalleyweekly.com and post this article on Facebook. Put my beautiful photo on Instagram.
I have the heart of a rescue dog, a heart that is grateful and ready to love again.
(Email me if you adopt Flower)
