BFF Jeaniene: Hey, can you use your powers for good and repost this?
Me: Done.
From Jeaniene’s website
As many of you know, I have two dogs, Gypsy and Loki. Gypsy is 15 and a half, so not unexpectedly, her health has declined. The decline has been most significant this year, when she lost most of her ability to see and hear, plus she is unstable on her feet due to hip issues, arthritis (yes, we’re doing all the treatments) and other old-age related issues. Because of all this, Gypsy can no longer play with Loki, who is half her age and still has a lot of energy. So, we looked into getting another dog. Our local Humane Society has a program where you can do a “sleepover” with a dog you’re considering adopting, so we did that Saturday night with a very sweet dog named Effie.
Effie was SUCH a good girl. So sweet, gentle, obedient, and loving. Effie was shy when I met her in the shelter’s “bonding” room, but when she got to my house, she relaxed and wanted to snuggle, play with toys, or just sit near me. My dog Loki, however, reacted to Effie with what could only be called psychotic rage. Seriously, Cujo on cocaine would’ve been more chill. Loki repeatedly tried to attack Effie, and yes, I’m familiar with the difference between rough playing and attacking. This wasn’t playing. This was vicious, and so unexpected. Loki has been around other dogs before and had never acted this way. It reminded me of when my Mom’s normally-kind dog got violently protective of her after her health failed. Perhaps Loki thought he had to protect Gypsy in her frail health, or perhaps he just lost his furry shit.
I don’t know, but nothing my husband or I did could dissuade Loki, and normally, a mere stern look would send Loki into tail-down repentance. But despite employing several different methods for hours, Loki kept going berserk. This scared poor Effie, as you can imagine. It also stressed Gypsy out to the point that we knew her health couldn’t take this long-term. That is why we knew keeping Effie wouldn’t be an option.
I slept out on the couch with Effie while hubby had Loki and Gypsy in the bedroom. Even after her frightening day going to a strange house where a crazed dog kept trying to attack her, Effie was SO sweet, calm, and loving. Her tail would thump with happiness every time I looked over at her, and when I pet her, she would close her eyes and give me one of those heart-warming doggie smiles. She slept with her head on my foot, and didn’t once bark or act restless even though she was in unfamiliar surroundings. If I didn’t know that it would kill Gypsy to go through the time and training it would take to correct Loki’s inexplicably vicious reaction, I wouldn’t be typing this post because I’d be keeping Effie. But, we can’t risk Gypsy’s health with added stress when we probably won’t have her much longer anyway.
So, I gave Effie back to the shelter the next morning. She cried when I handed her over to the attendant, and I burst into the kind of tears you never want to shed in public because blubbering like that in front of people is embarrassing.
Over only one night? some of you might be thinking. Hey, I get the skepticism, but the protective shell I have that keeps people at emotional arms-length is absolutely missing when it comes to dogs. Especially dogs like Effie, who are so sweet, loving and eager to have a family that she would’ve been happy to put up with my home, even with its crazed canine occupant. That is why, as the subject line says, Effie needs a home.
Effie is five years old and weighs forty-seven pounds. She’s a mixed breed, so while her face looks a little Pitt-y, her body looks like a cross between a (smaller) Gray hound and a Shepard. She has short brown hair with subtle, brindle-like markings and brown eyes. She knew basic commands like sit, stay, paw, come, and she was potty-trained. I’ve sponsored her adoption fees, so there’s no cost to adopt her beyond the filing fees for her rabies tag, and yes, she’s up to date on all her shots. Effie is at the Jacksonville Humane Society in Jacksonville, Florida (full link: https://www.jaxhumane.org/) and she’s ready with unconditional love for anyone who wants a new furry family member. If that’s not you, please consider sharing this post because it might be someone you know. Here are some pics I took of Effie:
Effie snuggling on the couch with a toy.
Effie waiting patiently while I made dinner.
If I knew anyone in Jacksonville I’d send them right over, patient Effie is so touching. Good luck to her on finding a new home.
In Central Florida, I’ve shared with my local folks. I’d take her in a heartbeat, but my old, cranky adopted black lab is dog- aggressive towards anyone but her brother.
I want to drive over to get her so bad but we aren’t allowed pets here. I hope she finds a furever home soon.
I send a message to my friend in Florida.
Italy’s too far for adopting her, but I wish I could!!!!!
We’re like this with our brood, and all the local cats we’ve half adopted and the fish, even the snails that climb our walls in the rain.
So good luck finding Effie a home and with the babs you have at home already.
My mom is putting her pup down after 16 yrs next week. If someone can spring & hold I have a good place for her. In tampa.
Kris,I’d call the shelter directly. And quickly if you are interested.
Oh she looks beautiful. I would love to have her but I’m in Australia. I hope she finds her forever home soon.
I wish I could…Colorado is a bit far. But will repost for my friends in FL.
I’ve forwarded to my critter loving brother & sister-in-law in Jacksonville. They can at least help spread the word. She would be a lovely addition to a good family.
So I’m laying here in bed with a headache, after a horrible weekend, and I read this. Cue blubbering, sniveling and a big melt down. My elderly Shih Tzu died a year ago, and I wanted to get another dog for my much younger Cesky Terrier (think Black Russian Terrier with basset hound legs). She needs a buddy to play with. We decided to try out putting her around some other dogs, and she went nuts. It had never been an issue before. She was a pack dog when we first got her, and very playful. Now, it looks like we have to do some behavioral therapy with her to even try to have another dog. She’s developed some protective issues, likely because Meeko was in such bad shape, and my mom’s retired service dog is declining as well. I felt all the feels while reading this. I hope someone special will find room in their heart for Effie.
I had two wonderful dachshunds for three years and a half ( of cuddles and naps and play….), after which the sweetest one of the two decided that she wanted to annihilate the other.
I have tried everything, consulted with specialists, spent a load of money but at the end I had to find a house for my lovely Breva.
Sometimes there isn’t a way.
I still cry almost every night.
If she were closer, I bet I could lure my neighbor / landlady into it. She really wants a dog, and is going back and forth about whether she can handle the time commitment (she’s retired to be a full time artist, and spends a lot of the summer at various art and music festivals.) I’m still kind of tempted – she just spent 10 days in her camper van up in the mountains, what’s a seven hour drive down to FL?
(…except I have friends working with the local shelters, and this pup love can probably be more efficiently focused. She wants a dog so much. She just needs to spend time with some dogs and meet the right one…)
What a beautiful dog! I hope someone is able to take her. I absolutely would if I could. (She would be so loved here.)
Someone please let us know if she gets adopted please!?!?!
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I talked to the Humane Society this morning (8/7) and Effie has NOT been adopted yet. Please continue to share this post to help Effie find her forever home. Thank you!
Please let us know if she has been adopted!! Idaho (where I live) is a long way from Jacksonville. ?
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Hope Effie finds a loving home very soon!
I’m happy that you took the time to write about rehoming this dog. She sounds amazing and deserves a good home with lots of love. Please let us know how this works out. I’m in Ohio with three cats who would lose their shit if I brought a dog home.
I am a Cat Person and you still made me think that if I were in the States, I would consider this Puppy.
I have friends who already have rescue dogs up here, in Toronto and I understand the need.
Just a FYI: one of my friends who wanted a Cairn after her older one died ended up talking to a rescue group in the States and Toffee was flown from Kansas to Buffalo and we went to pick him up. (Toffee is gone now but he was loved while he was with Jean)
Just a thought. We can’t leave Effie homeless. Even if she is only a dog and not a cat ;-)))
Conversation in my head:
Responsible me: No. The fence isn’t done, and Florida is literally halfway across the country.
Dog-lover me: But… but… dog. Dog who needs home.
Responsible me: NO! I have a dog. A very nice dog.
Dog-lover me: Who would love to have a friend to wrestle with.
Responsible me: And, after the fence is finished, we can find a very nice dog closer to home who also needs a home very much.
Dog-lover me: And a cat?
Responsible me: You’re an idiot. And incorrigible.
Dog-lover me: Florida isn’t that far away.
Responsible me: What if she goes after (pet birds)?
Dog-lover me: What if she DIDN’T?
Responsible me: They still haven’t changed the “Aggressive dog” laws.* She could be confiscated and euthanized if someone reported that she looks like she might be part pit.
Dog-lover me: Oh-kay. I guess that’s a good reason. *sigh* Stupid rule, though.
So, both my responsible side and my dog-lover side have our fingers crossed for her!
*recently heard that revisions are in the works! yay!
Sorry to hear this. It’s a fact though, that some dogs just don’t share their alpha people with new pups very well. Pack order and all that. Hoping you will find a person who will take Effie in.
I’m so glad Effie found a friend like Jeaniene (and IA, by extension!) who is advocating for her and spreading the word! Hope this sweet girl finds her furever home quicker than quick. ❤️
Just keep in mind – dogs grieve too, and like people, grief takes all kinds of shape and behavior. I hope Effie finds someone that understands that, and is patient with her.
I wish I could adopt a dog, that I was near FL. By chance, will you/Jeaniene let us know if you hear if she was adopted? I hope she finds a home.
My woofah had signs of nerve impingement that overnight has progressed to full paralysis and we’re likely to have to out him down tomorrow if there’s no change. So one look at this and I too was a blubbering twit. Hoping she finds her forever home soon…
How do I post this on Facebook? (maybe not all of it, just the part describing Effie)
Wahh! I’m sitting here, blubbering, knowing we can’t take another dog. But I feel for your elderly dog who is reaching the end, because we are in the same situation. Spot is a rescue puppy that we got for our son when he was only 8 years old. She is a border collie mix, now over 15 years old and has trouble walking and standing for any length of time. Sometimes we have to carry her outside to do her business when her legs get too stiff to make it down the 2 steps to outside. At 23, my son is having to learn the hard lesson about making the tough decision.
Hopefully someone near will read this, and gain a wonderful companion from it.
I have my little poodle in basic o edience and socialization classes due to being a 10 pound cujo. She’s doing a lot better and we are 3 weeks without a bite. In class there are two digs that are sweet and have no issues until they see each other and the fight is on. The trainer can’t even figure it out. They just hate each other.
Here is the link to Jeaniene Frost’s FB page where the post lives:
https://www.facebook.com/JeanieneFrost/?__tn__=%2Cd%2CP-R&eid=ARCrtHfAV1NwfIaB8APlzKzIL4VFaFJaXzEw9ZxUsI1CxjY0lJqiNKYEJjPNVyY7uAI6mt9RlBPKuuaD
Awwww. If I was closer I’d drive over and get her. She’s exactly what I’ve been looking for – BUT – I lve in AZ. I’ve reposted on my Twitter and have a number of people in Florida so fingers crossed she gets a wonderful home. She’s such a cutie pie. <3
If anyone wants to bring her to Seattle, I’ll take her.
Sigh…wish I lived closer to Florida. If so, I’d be sorely tempted to adopt sweet Effie. My 2-year old, timid, 90-lb. mix (found on the street when around 4 mo. old) is desperate for another animal to play with. And all my cats just keep saying no. Experience to date indicates that she does better with smaller dogs. Did I mention timid?
Best of luck finding a forever home, Effie!
My heart goes out to Effie, and I hope she soon finds a loving home that is perfect for her!! I think I saw in previous comments that someone else asked this, but I am going to second that thought by asking it again myself. If possible, would someone be kind enough to let us know if/when Effie does find a home? I will be thinking about her, and knowing she found a home would be nice. ?
My heart is breaking. Our dog died Easter morning and I want this sweet girl so bad! Unfortunately, we live in Nebraska and can’t afford to fly Effie out here since we’re still paying off the bills from trying to save our last girl. Please let us know when she finds a home!
I have a 9 year old Great Pyrenees but I’d take her in a heart beat but Florida’s quite a drive from Texas. Hope she’s adopted soon.
OMG I lost my big girl in January and if I lived closer I would swoop this sweet pup up. Please let us know if she finds her forever home.
Fingers crossed that Effie finds a home. Long drive from Texas to Florida otherwise there would possibly be a mad rush to adopt her.
Too many of us here in Texas – or farther away – who can’t make or afford the trip from Florida.
SOOOO hoping this sweet girl finds a forever home SOON!!
I would love to take her but I live in Germany with my doggy. Good luck!
Hi. Several of you asked about Effie’s status since this was posted. She is still available for adoption. I am still asking people to please share the post in the hopes that she gets a home soon. I will keep update everyone if she gets adopted in the interim. Thanks again to all of you who’ve shared Effie’s story!
Think you could get a doggy trainer/therapist to help? This was heartbreaking.
I live in Neptune Beach. I’m going to check her out tomorrow morning. It’s been almost a year since my 13 yr old puppy left us. We have been talking about another one to take on walks. My husband has been watching way to many rescue dogs on you tube. I’ll let you know how it turns out.
Thank you so much for this. I’ve been checking these comments regularly hoping that someone could save this lovely dog. I hope it works out that she makes a joyful new family member for you and your husband.
This made me cry! I so hope this lovely sweet dog finds a loving home. Please let us know if she gets adopted!
What a sweet dog! I wish we could take her, she sounds perfect. No pets though for we poor renters… and we’re across the country. But Effie does deserve a good home and I hope one finds her ❤️. What a loving and good dog
Poor puppy! And poor Jeaniene Frost!
I have a successful dog integration experience to offer in case it’s useful to anyone else. I’m not saying this will help in Effie’s case because I have no actual dog training knowledge and there was no sick “pack mate” involved. Maybe it could help someone else though.
My sister and I successfully integrated my small terrier with her new, aggressive, rescue dog. The aggressive dog (female) would try to attack my dog (male) whenever I brought him to my sister’s house. We took them on outings away from the aggressive dog’s territory and after she got used to him away from her home, she accepted him at her home. Apparently, once she knew him she didn’t feel she had to defend against him anymore? She was all “oh, I know you from that other house.”
I have several friends and family in FL who are animal lovers… hopefully one of them will be willing to share their hearts with this sweet girl… 🙂
Effie is at her new home. She has had a bath and rolled around in the grass. Tomorrow morning we’ll go for a walk on the beach. Don’t know if she likes the water. She just drank out of the pool. We’ll see. I would like to post a picture but I don’t know how.
OMG, I am so happy! Please, Tracy, if you don’t mind, send a picture to me at frostlight1 AT yahoo DOT com (obviously use @ for AT and . for DOT. Not spelling it out to avoid spam bots) and I will update all the posts with a pic of Effie at her new home.
Tracy, you’re Effie’s hero and mine, too.
You are my hero!!! I was planning to drive to Jacksonville from charlotte this weekend to get her just because.
YAY!!! So happy Effie found a forever home
Did it go well? Jeaniene’s blog isn’t updated yet.
So happy Effie has a home! Wishing you many years of happiness together, and blessing you for opening your heart and home to a pup in need!
I am so very glad Effie found a home. Such a sweet doggie deserves to be cherished and loved. 🙂
Three cheers to the Internet for getting the news out about her!