“From the very beginning, it seemed destined that we would become the final guardians for Lucky and Penny. After the loss of our first toller, we reached out to Toller Rescue Inc. (TRI) to express our interest in adopting should a dog become available. When TRI contacted us about a bonded pair in our area, Sue asked us to evaluate them. We were unprepared for what we found—two senior dogs, extremely underweight, infested with insects, patches of missing fur, and nails so long they curled. Instead of just evaluating them, we took them home immediately, and what began as a foster arrangement soon became a “foster fail.”

Although both dogs were cautious, Lucky was noticeably more outgoing and open to trusting new people. Intelligent and observant, Lucky quickly figured out how to open puppy gates with dual mechanisms within just a few days and began greeting us at the front door.

Penny, by contrast, placed all her trust in Lucky. She was ever watchful, looking to Lucky to decide how she should respond to new situations. Penny was so relieved to have a safe, comfortable space that she refused to do anything that might jeopardize it. She was too afraid to eat unless I sat with her and hand-fed her until she gained the confidence to eat on her own. Penny kept to her safe zones, reluctant to leave them—potty breaks were brief, and she hurried back to her spot immediately. While we had hoped for Penny to adjust more fully, the most important thing for her was having a secure and comfortable place to call her own.

Through our journey with Lucky and Penny, we discovered how much there was to learn from their resilience and gentle spirits. The experience would not have been the same without the invaluable support of the Toller Rescue Inc. network, whose resources and encouragement guided us every step of the way. Along the way, we formed lifelong friendships with fellow rescuers and adopters, connections that continue to enrich our lives.”

~Adoptor, Nadine