Agave Is Adopted!
Agave with Paul, Sandi and Oakley
Agave was rescued many years ago. A short time after coming into the rescue, she found a home. At the time, it appeared to be a forever home, but several years later, she needed to be re-homed. She had developed some bad habits that her adopter could no longer manage. As per our arrangements with adopters, adopted dogs that can no longer be managed or cared for come back to California GSP Rescue. Agave came back.
Agave is an intelligent dog, and her issues weren't going to be easily managed by just any adopter, and we knew finding the right home was imperative. California GSP Rescue thought they had found a few "forever" homes for Agave, but none felt confident in managing her. Their concerns were the same as California GSP Rescue's.
Last year we received an email from Paul, a previous adopter, inquiring about Agave. Paul watched and read about Agave on the website and felt he could be the right home. Uncertain and acting cautiously, we asked him to complete an adoption application. During the adoption process, we addressed Agave's issues and concerns. Being completely transparent at this point was essential to her being adopted by someone that knew everything there was to know. The next step was an educational visit where Paul and his wife, Sandi, came and spent time with Agave. While they could see she was sweet and intelligent, they also learned some of her quirks. There were a few lengthy discussions on how they could best manage her quirks.
After the meeting and talking it over, Paul and his wife Sandi felt they could give Agave a forever home. There was much talk among the adoption committee, who agreed that Paul and Sandi could be Agave's forever home.
A few months later, Sandi sent the following update and her account of the process.
”In October of 21, my husband Paul adopted a 13-year-old GSP named Agave. Because my job takes me out of town weekdays and only home on weekends, the responsibility to adopt was on Paul.
He chose Agave because he kept seeing her month after month on the website not being adopted. We learned Agave had a history of snapping at people, especially women, but it didn't deter us from wanting to meet her.
Paul and Agave connected right away, and she's loved him ever since. I took it really slowly with her, allowing her to come to me to initiate any interaction, and it has paid off! Every weekend when I arrive, she's happy to see me, and we get along great! She's also great with some other family members who have taken the time to earn her trust. We are still always very cautious when anyone new comes around and have a run for her to play in then.
Over the months, Paul has worked with her and she now takes walks with us off-leash on our sons property. He taught her to respond to a beeper collar when she gets a little too far away! Who says you can't teach old dogs new tricks?
She loves to play ball and at first her possessiveness of her toys caused her to want to fight if our other GSP, Oakley, came near. We are still cautious, but are seeing her relax on that as well. She also nicely waits her turn to get her food and treats.
It's taken time and patience but it's been so worth it.
Seeing Agave's little tail wag all the time is confirmation that she was meant to join our pack”!!
California GSP Rescue is committed to every dog they rescue for the rest of the dog's life. Saving and finding homes for the dogs isn't always easy. Finding an adopter like Paul, who is equally committed to his dogs, isn't easy either. By sharing the posts of the dogs, you can help California GSP Rescue find the dog's a forever home. We thank those individuals that help by regularly sharing posts on their social media, and we especially thank Paul for giving Agave her forever home.
