Tanner was one of those dogs you would see roaming the streets. While it’s alarming and unusual for a dog to roam around unsupervised, that’s the reality for dogs who have no owners or family to care for them. Each day was like a test of survival, from searching for food scraps to drinking water and shelter. Could Tanner even survive in such a life?
Luckily, Tanner was spotted in the streets by a concerned citizen which was the reason why he was brought to a local shelter. Here, Tanner’s life changed as he was now able to eat and drink clean water, all while given a safe home. The staff of the shelter noticed that Tanner was special because his affectionate nature made him stand out among other dogs.
But as much as Tanner was having the time of his life, there was a compromise. He must be adopted by a family immediately. If not, he’ll end up on the euthanasia list. In each day that passes, many dogs are rescued by the shelter until they run out of space to place the new. Unfortunately, this led Tanner’s name to be written on the leash.
How Tanner’s Life Was Saved
This was when Madeline Garvis, a dog advocate, took notice of Tanner. When she went out to meet him, she was surprised to receive a warm hug despite it being the first time for them to meet. Garvis told the burger that Tanner was full of love in his body as he strives for attention. Putting him back in the kennel was the hardest part.
Garvis knew it would be too lonely alone for such an affectionate dog. For some reason, it was Tanner who pulled her heart again and again.
Determined to save him, Garvis shared a story on Instagram that showed Tanner being affectionate. She described Tanner as a dog who is a cuddle bug who likes to be held like a baby. Her post reached Kari, who stepped forward to give Tanner a temporary home.
During his final days in the shelter, Tanner knew that his life was about to change for the better. He hugged every staff member goodbye, which meant thanking them for their care and for helping them find his new family. Once he and Kari stepped outside, his tail was wagging for joy.
During his time with Kari, Tanner was said to be shy but soon warmed up. He showered his foster family with love. Soon enough, Tanner will join the Animal Rescue Network of New England, where he’ll stay to find his forever home. Well, it’s only a matter of time before Tanner lands to a family, hopefully permanent, and shower them with his hugs and playfulness.
RELATED: Queen Camilla Bids Farewell to Her Rescue Dog Beth
Why Are Some Rescue Dogs Affectionate?
We may often hear stories about rescue dogs being aggressive because of the trauma that they went through during their time on the streets or with their past owners. While this may be true, there are also rescue dogs such as Tanner, who is affectionate enough. These may be some of the reasons why:
- Emotional Connection – A rescue dog may feel that they are comfortable with you or with your family. If they’re showing signs of being affectionate, it means that they want to come home with you. Remember, always trust a dog’s senses.
- Socialization – For some, it may be because a rescue dog is too sociable and friendly. The reason behind this is that they encountered a lot of people and animals when they were strays, and they tended to have a good experience when they interacted with others.
- Appreciation – It could simply be showing gratefulness that someone would interact with them. It’s their way of saying thank you and that you should bring them home with you.
RELATED: Adopted Dogs Give New Life Purpose to Kentucky Prisoners
From The Club
I will forever advocate for adopting rescue dogs instead of buying them, especially since euthanasia in shelters is still common. It broke my heart to think that Tanner could be put to sleep if Madeline Garvis didn’t find her and Kari wouldn’t volunteer to keep Tanner at her home for a while. Although I’m sad that Kari won’t keep him permanently, I do hope that Tanner will find a loving home.
