Lens And Leash: Who is this adoption story about?
Amanda Penn: Josie, the 2.5 year old female “Mystery Mutt!
Lens And Leash: What made you decide to adopt?
Amanda Penn: I had been working at the Animal Adoption Center (a non-profit animal rescue) in Jackson WY for about 6 months, so I had fallen in love with many dogs during that time. I was finally in housing that allowed pets and felt that my life was ready for a dog! When Josie came to the Center, she was very sick so I decided to foster her. I fell in love pretty much from the first night.
Lens And Leash: When and where did you adopt Josie?
Amanda Penn: I adopted Josie from the Animal Adoption Center on September 24th 2016.
Lens And Leash: How old was Josie when you adopted her and do you know anything about her life before you adopted her?
Amanda Penn: The vet aged her at around a year old. Unfortunately, I know very little about her life before me. Josie was flown to Jackson, WY from Louisiana by a nonprofit called Dog is My CoPilot. There was disastrous flooding happening in Louisiana, and many animals were being displaced from homes and shelters in the affected areas. The organization I work for (Animal Adoption Center) took a plane load of animals that were displaced from the flooded shelters. Josie happened to be among that group!
Lens And Leash: What made you decide to adopt Josie specifically?
Amanda Penn: I knew I was ready to adopt, so I had been fostering a few dogs here and there. When Josie came along she was very sick. She suffered from seizures, giardia, and kennel cough, so she needed to go into a long term medical foster. I offered to take her home, and she won me over the first night! She stuck right by my side and snuggled with me all night.
Lens And Leash: What is your favorite quirk about Josie?
Amanda Penn: She smiles! Whenever she sees me she gets super wiggly and curls up her lip into a full smile 🙂 She also LOVES cats. I was fostering a litter of 6 week old kittens and she legitimately thought they were her babies.
Lens And Leash: Did you have to do any training with her after you adopted her?
Amanda Penn: I was lucky in that I had to do very little. She was quite timid and shy at first, so getting her used to strangers took lots of treats. She already knew sit and was just naturally a dog that wanted to stick by your side and not run off.
Lens And Leash: What tips or pieces of advice would you offer to people that are looking to adopt for the first time?
Amanda Penn: People should be realistic about their lives and what type of dog will fit into it. Do your research on what characteristics different types of dogs possess, so you have an idea of what will work for you. Also if you have the opportunity, fostering a dog is great. It really gives you an idea of what the dog is like in your home environment.
Lens And Leash: Would you adopt again and would you adopt from the same shelter/rescue?
Amanda Penn: I would without a doubt adopt a dog again! They are always so grateful and loving! I still work at the Animal Adoption Center where I got her from, so I would adopt from there again.
