TRUE TALES: Duke

by Jeanne Crockett | Dec 30, 2020 | Blog, Dogs, Newsletter, Pet Care, Training

I have owned more than a handful of dogs and have prepared many foster dogs for adoption.  Along the way, I have met some interesting and challenging canines.  One such dog was Duke, The Found Hound.   I was buying groceries at the Food Lion in Bridgeton.  Every time the door opened, this large, bony tick-ridden hound walked in sweeping his tail from side to side.  He entered the store three times and each time he was forced back outside.  After the third time, the store employees were ready to call Animal Control.  It was Thanksgiving week, and I figured the fate of this dog in the hands of Animal Control would not have a good outcome. 

In the parking lot, the dog was going up to everyone in the same friendly manner that he showed as he entered the Food Lion.  Everyone brushed him off –that is, everyone but me.  I saw something in him that I liked.  No one knew anything about this dog so I considered him abandoned.  It was clear by looking at him that he hadn’t been well cared for.  He was severely underweight and his coat was in poor condition.   

I asked some people to help me get him into the backseat of my car.  They asked me what I was going to do with him, and I said I’d adopt him out or keep him.  They looked at me like I was crazy.  My intentions were to get him fully vetted, neutered, trained in some basic obedience, and then adopt him out through the humane society.  After I got home, I named him Duke, and started his rehabilitation.  He impressed me with his intelligence, athleticism, and willingness to learn.  I worked on calming his reactiveness to other dogs, eliminating his food aggressive issues, and taught him basic skills and house manners.  When he was ready, I took him to an adoptathon.  To my dismay, he was ignored because he was too big. Everyone passed us to view the little dogs.  I decided that no one would ever do that to him again and took him “home.”  He was mine!

This dog that no one wanted went on to receive a Canine Good Citizenship certificate, had a blast learning agility, and excelled at obedience.  He remained my faithful companion for eight years.  To this day, he holds the title of being the most frustrating and challenging dog I’ve owned.  But he also taught me the most and took me to places I never would have gone.  For that, I am forever grateful.     

If you have a dog that is a challenge, we may be able to help.  We’d love to improve the outcome of your story.  Contact us so we can all hear it.