Entrant's First Name
Sydney

City
Asheville

My Story
Sheldon is the dog that solidified my love for, and commitment to, animal rescue. This goofy-looking pitbull-type dog came into my life about a year after I started working at Asheville Humane Society. Previously, I had fostered some of our long-time residents to give them a break from the adoption center or work on behavioral issues. My most recent foster, a rather difficult project dog, had just been adopted. I planned to take a little break, but my boss came to me and asked if I'd foster Sheldon next, since he had been with us almost a year. He was such an energetic, reactive, OCD dog in the adoption center, always jumping around in his kennel and barking at everyone, and he was the LAST dog I wanted to take home with me. However, my boss convinced me to give it a try (you can't say no to your boss, right?!).

I called my housemate and briefed her, as usual, before bringing him home. I had no idea what he would be like so I gave her specific instructions to have treats handy to toss for him, let him solicit attention first, avoid direct eye contact, etc. The drive home was far from ideal-- he threw up in my car twice and almost went through the window at a squirrel. I was already planning out the speech I was going to give my boss when I returned him from foster the next day, explaining why I couldn't continue.

When we walked through the door of my home, with my wide-eyed roommate ready to follow any instructions I gave her, I was overcome with relief when he bounded over to her and began licking her profusely. Over the next few hours, days, and weeks, Sheldon surprised us with how perfectly wonderful he was. He was house-trained, crate-trained, loved everyone, could be trusted to roam the house alone while we were gone, and had the most infectious personality I've ever seen in a dog. Of course, I became ridiculously attached to him, as did all of my friends.

A few months later I adopted Sheldon, and with him I vowed to dedicate my skills and passion to these deserving creatures. Sheldon is a prime example of how much a rescue animal can change your world for the better, and vice versa. Please vote for Sheldon (and all the other furbabies!!) and help AHS to continue to provide lifesaving care, giving the animals of Buncombe County another go at their happy-ever-after.