A dog adopted from a shelter as a puppy has experienced the heartbreak of being returned seven years later.
For the longest time it seemed like Delilah had got her happy ever after, having arrived at Longmont Humane Society in Colorado back in 2019 in less than ideal circumstances.
“Delilah first came to us as a stray puppy, less than 8 weeks old, dropped off by a kind member of our community,” Jordyn Gobrick, social media coordinator at LHS, told Newsweek.
Though Delilah struggled without a mom, the one thing she had on her side was the fact she was a puppy. According to the ASPCA, around 60 percent of puppies in shelters end up being adopted. That proportion drops to 25 percent among older dogs.
Gobrick said: “We typically see great success with our puppies finding loving homes, so it’s always heartbreaking when they come back, especially after so much time has passed.”
Though Delilah’s return, seven years after she left, came as a surprise, the situation at her house made it a necessity and Gobrick is keen to stress her return “was no one’s fault.”
“After years in her home, Delilah and the other dog were no longer getting along,” she said. “The two could no longer safely coexist, and returning Delilah was the most responsible decision for everyone involved, even if it was a heartbreaking one.”
Now back in the shelter, Delilah is having some understandable difficulties adjusting. That’s no big shock. The noise, smells and confined spaces can combine to make for an intimidating atmosphere.
A study published in the journal Physiology and Behavior found dogs experienced raised levels of cortisol, the hormone associated with stress, during their first few days in the shelter. Gobrick thinks Delilah is still getting used to being back.
“Like most dogs, shelter life has been an adjustment,” she said. “She spent time in a foster home to recover from surgery and get a break from the shelter environment.”
Gobrick says the staff at LHS have done everything in their power to help Delilah.
“Since returning, she’s settled into a quieter room and has even made friends with a couple of dogs,” she said. “She also has a loyal posse of favorite humans on staff who keep her spirits up. The hardest moments are the quiet ones, waiting in her kennel, watching people walk by.”
Ultimately, for all the efforts being undertaken, the most effective way of lifting Delilah’s spirits is by focusing on finding her another forever home.
“We’re actively searching for Delilah’s perfect forever home,” Gobrick said. “She’d do best without dogs; cats are more her speed, and she has a wonderfully feline personality. Her foster family described her as calm, relaxed, and deeply loving, just with time. She does best with children of high school age or older, who can take it slow with her. She can be wary of new people at first, but for someone patient enough to earn her trust they’ll find one of the most loyal, gentle companions imaginable.”
Anyone who thinks they might fit the bill is urged to get in touch.
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