What Handful Of Unadoptables Taught Me About Service Hope Healing

When it comes to the topic of pet adoption, many people focus on finding a loving home for animals that are deemed adoptable. But what about those animals that are labeled as "unadoptable" due to various reasons? This is the story of a handful of unadoptables and how they taught me valuable lessons about service, hope, and healing.

Unadoptable animals are usually considered as such due to behavioral issues, medical conditions, or simply because they have been overlooked for a long time. This label often places them at risk of being euthanized or living out their lives in crowded shelters. However, there is a hidden potential within these animals that can be unlocked through proper care, attention, and love.

One of the first unadoptables that I encountered was an elderly dog named Oscar. He had been in the shelter for years, and his age made him unappealing to potential adopters. Despite his graying fur and stiff joints, there was a warmth in his eyes that spoke of a lifetime of love waiting to be shared. Taking on the challenge of caring for Oscar taught me the importance of patience and understanding. Through gentle exercises and regular visits to the vet, his mobility improved, and he blossomed into a playful and affectionate companion. Witnessing his transformation filled me with hope.

The Possibility Dogs: What a Handful of "Unadoptables" Taught Me About Service, Hope, & Healing

by Susannah Charleson (Kindle Edition)

4.7 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	10157 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
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Another unadoptable I met was a cat named Luna. She had a neurological disorder that made her movements uncoordinated and clumsy. Many people thought she was abnormal, but to me, she was extraordinary. Luna taught me the power of acceptance and embracing differences. While she may not have been the fastest or the most graceful cat, she had a spirit of resilience that was truly inspiring. With time and dedicated care, Luna's condition improved, and she became an expert at finding joy in life, despite her challenges.

Through these experiences, I realized that a majority of unadoptables are not inherently flawed but have experienced trauma or neglect that affected their behavior or health. By showing them compassion, providing necessary medical attention, and a stable environment, their true potential can be unlocked. These animals offered me an insight into the healing power of love and the importance of second chances.

Many unadoptables also require a structured routine and specialized training to overcome their behaviors. One such example was a dog named Max, who had severe anxiety. His anxiety made it difficult for him to trust humans, and he would often display aggression as a defense mechanism. Working with Max taught me the importance of patience, consistency, and positive reinforcement. Over time, he learned to trust again and the transformation was remarkable. Seeing the fear melt away from his eyes was a testament to the power of patience and understanding.

Unadoptables are not just animals in need; they are teachers who can provide us with invaluable lessons about resilience, compassion, and the strength of the human-animal bond. They remind us that even the most broken souls can heal and find happiness when given a chance. By opening our hearts to these animals, we not only help them find their forever homes but also discover a deeper sense of purpose and fulfillment within ourselves.

In , the handful of unadoptables I encountered taught me about the transformative power of service, hope, and healing. They showed me that with patience, understanding, and love, even the most overlooked animals can thrive and become incredible companions. By providing these animals with a second chance, we not only improve their lives but also enrich our own. Adopting an unadoptable is not just an act of kindness, but a life-changing experience that can teach us valuable lessons about empathy, resilience, and the beauty of unconditional love.

The Possibility Dogs: What a Handful of "Unadoptables" Taught Me About Service, Hope, & Healing

by Susannah Charleson (Kindle Edition)

4.7 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	10157 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
X-Ray	:	Enabled
Print length	:	281 pages
Lending	:	Enabled

FREE

After a grisly search-and-rescue operation led to troubling consequences for author Susannah Charleson, she found that her relationship with Puzzle, her search dog, made a surprising contribution to her own healing. Inspired by that experience, Charleson learned to identify abandoned dogs with service potential, plucking them from shelters and training them to work with disabled human partners, to whom the dogs bring assistance, comfort, and hope.

Similar to her best-selling first book, Scent of the Missing, Charleson’s The Possibility Dogs goes beyond the science that explains working canines to tell the stories of the dogs themselves. Like Merlin, a black Lab puppy who had been thrown away in a garbage bag and now stabilizes his partner’s panic attacks. And service dog Jake Piper, a formerly starving pit bull mix who went from abandoned to irreplaceable. This heartwarming combination of memoir and research is sure to both inform and inspire.