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Related: Culture Forums, Support ForumsDog Was Alone In Shelter For 400 Days -- So Guy Moved Into Her Kennel
He'd do anything to help find her a home ❤👏BY ELIZABETH CLAIRE ALBERTS
When Scott Poore learned that a dog named Queen had been stuck at the Great Plains SPCA for over 400 days, he found an unusual way to help by moving in with her.
Before ending up at the shelter, Queen was living on the streets in Kansas City, Missouri and life hadnt been kind to the 3-year-old terrier.
We dont have much history on her, but the one thing we do know is she was found living in a dumpster in a really bad part of town, Poore, founder of Mission Driven, a clothing brand that aims to help shelter dogs, told The Dodo. So we assume her life couldnt have been much better than that. That was pretty sad, but they were definitely happy that they were able to catch her and get her to the shelter.
Everyone hoped Queen would find a home straight away but for some reason, she didnt. When Queen popped up on Poore's radar, he reached out to the shelter to see if he could help.
They told me all the different ways they tried to get her adopted, and none of them had worked, Poore said. So I thought, I need to do something really outrageous to draw attention toward Queen. And thats when I came up with the idea of moving into the shelter, which Ive never done before. I pitched the idea to the animal shelter. They said, This is crazy, but this might just work.
Last Tuesday, Poore wheeled a suitcase into the shelter and unpacked his things in Queens kennel.
I got a little desk and little chair, Poore said. I went to the store and got a couple of pictures. I bought a plant, and of course, we found the largest bed you can get for a dog, but its definitely not large enough for a human. But [its] the best that I could do, so thats my bed. I put a calendar up, and just tried to make the room a little bit more like a home. It looks like a dorm room.
Queens adjusted well to having a roomie.
She loves it, Poore said. Shes getting a lot of attention. Were getting lots of visitors, some of which are here to see Queen, and some of which, I honestly think, want to see the strange guy who moved into the animal shelter.
Shes what Id call a peoples dog, Poore added. She would much rather be with her favorite human being than any other animal. So shes in heaven with me being near."
Poore thought hed be able to work on his laptop in the kennel, but Queen always wants to play.
She loves playing with the tennis ball, she loves playing tug-of-war, Poore said. I describe her as an all-or-nothing kind of dog, meaning shes going to play like crazy with you until shes so exhausted that she tips over and falls asleep.
But living at the shelter hasnt been easy for Poore.
I love her to death, but this is not the best place Ive spent a few days at ... and this is a very nice shelter, Poore said. Ive got a new respect for animals who live in the shelter.
When the lights go off and all the employees leave, you would think that thats the time when the shelter finally gets quiet, but what Ive learned is that its never quiet, he added. Theres always somebody barking, which triggers other dogs barking. Theres not a lot of rest for the animals, and theres definitely not a lot of rest for me. I dont think any of these animals get a deep sleep until theyre out of the building.
Poore spent eight days living in Queens kennel, only going home for a couple hours a day to shower and catch up on emails. But it all paid off. On Tuesday afternoon, Queen was officially adopted by a local family.
"Its been an emotional roller coaster the last week, and putting my life on hold has been quite the challenge, but its all been worth it for Queen," Poore said. "A week ago very few people even knew that she existed and now the whole world has fallen in love with her. Im proud to have played a role in finding her a forever home."
Poore is thrilled that Queen got the happy ending she deserved and hopes her story will help other shelter dogs.
"There are dogs like her all over in animal shelters," Poore said. "Its not like the shelters are neglecting these animals, but theyve been forgotten because they've been there for so long and when your kennel card says '400 days,' that doesnt attract potential adopters. They immediately think theres something wrong."
[View Queen's touching Freedom Walk here]
https://www.facebook.com/GreatPlainsSPCA/videos/2387119508069504/
Not surprisingly, Poore is looking forward to going home again and sleeping in his own bed but he's not opposed to moving into the shelter again to help another dog.
"I wouldnt want to do this every week," he said. "But if it was the right situation and the right animal, I would absolutely do this again.
https://www.thedodo.com/close-to-home/queen-shelter-dog-shelter-400-days
Dem2theMax
(9,637 posts)What a wonderful idea, what a wonderful man. And I am so happy that Queen now has her forever home. I had something very upsetting happen to me today, and reading this was just the medicine I needed to make me feel better.
catbyte
(34,333 posts)I'm glad my post helped you feel better.
Dem2theMax
(9,637 posts)Your posts never fail to help me see how much good there is out there in the world. Catbyte, I'm so glad you keep putting up these videos for us to see. We really need them!
catbyte
(34,333 posts)Dem2theMax
(9,637 posts)With all of the horrible things going on, the minute you watch one of these videos, it puts you in a much better place. It is always wonderful to see people being so compassionate, and going out of their way to help the helpless.
smirkymonkey
(63,221 posts)And what a sweet, adorable little pupper! I am so glad she finally found a home and so grateful for people like Scott Poore!
Thanks for posting, Catbyte! These posts always make me feel better. They purge all the Trump bitterness out of my heart.