Dolly, a foster dog at the City of Buffalo Animal Shelter, was originally brought in as a stray puppy, filthy, overweight, and extremely anxious. As she settled in, Dolly became more comfortable and affectionate, especially after moving in with shelter volunteer Katie on Valentine’s Day. Dolly’s standout habit is her constant need for her paw to be held, a behavior that started as a way for her to seek attention and affection from Katie.
The shelter shared photos of Dolly on their Facebook page, highlighting her love for having her paw held and stating that she would require a home that could provide her with this type of constant affection. Dolly’s foster mom, Katie, explained that the paw-holding began as a way for Dolly to ask for attention, and she quickly caught on to the trick leading to more cuddles and pets. Dolly now instinctively offers her paw for holding, especially when riding in the car, resulting in Katie driving around with Dolly’s paw in hand.
Despite all the love and attention Dolly receives in her foster home, she is still available for adoption and eagerly awaits her forever family. The shelter is puzzled as to why Dolly has not been adopted yet, as she is housebroken, good in the car, and good with other dogs. They suspect it might be due to the black dog syndrome, where darker-colored dogs tend to wait longer in shelters before finding homes.
Statistics show that each year, millions of pets enter U.S. shelters, with thousands taken in every day. While the number of animals in shelters is high, there are also efforts to promote adoption campaigns, spaying and neutering programs, and behavior rehabilitation to minimize euthanasia rates. The shelter is always looking for potential adopters for animals like Dolly, who are ready to provide them with the love and care they deserve.
In conclusion, Dolly’s adorable habit of needing her paw held has endeared her to many, but she still awaits her forever home. While she continues to receive love and attention in her foster home, she is ready to find a permanent family that will cherish her unique trait. The issue of black dog syndrome highlights the challenges faced by animals like Dolly in finding homes, despite their positive qualities. With initiatives to promote adoption and reduce euthanasia rates, shelters are hopeful that more pets, including Dolly, will find their forever families.
