Many dogs never get to experience the warmth and love of a proper home, spending their lives out in the cold on the streets. For those few fortunate ones who find their way into a loving home, the transition isn’t always smooth. Adapting to a new environment full of unknowns can be challenging and requires a great deal of patience and understanding from their new families.
Dogs, like people, adjust at their own pace. Some might quickly become comfortable in their new settings, while others might act out in unusual ways as they try to understand their new world. The story of Angus, a dog who spent his early life on the streets, exemplifies this beautifully.
Home, Sweet Home
Angus’s journey from the streets to a cozy home is a heartwarming tale of adaptation and acceptance. Taken in by a compassionate family, he was introduced to the comforts of indoor living, which was a stark contrast to his previous life. His family was patient and eager to show him what it means to be part of a loving home.
However, Angus also had to learn about boundaries and what behaviors were not acceptable in his new home. For instance, he hadn’t learned how to play with toys or fetch, but he did show a keen interest in tearing apart anything that squeaked or resembled a toy. This included stuffed animals and, unfortunately, a few household items as well.
“He doesn’t know how to play or fetch but loves to destroy stuffed animals or anything that squeaks. He has destroyed quite a few things since we’ve had him as he had separation anxiety… He has chewed part of our couch, a brand-new ottoman, and two foam bed covers before he was comfortable being left at home,” said Debbie O’Hara, Angus’s adoptive mom, in an interview with The Dodo.
Despite these challenges, Angus managed to reduce his destructive behaviors significantly. However, he still occasionally lost control, especially during festive seasons, which seemed to excite him unusually.
Christmas Came Early
Last Christmas Eve, Angus’s excitement culminated in an unexpected spree of gift unwrapping. He tore into the family’s Christmas presents, devouring a large box of chocolates and a pack of Kit Kats. Remarkably, despite the harmful effects chocolate can have on dogs, Angus showed no signs of illness, a testament to his surprisingly resilient constitution.
“Some family got gifts with the boxes chewed, and we had to buy a new hoodie as he ripped one opening it,” Debbie added.
Concerned for his health, the family rushed Angus to the vet to ensure he hadn’t suffered any ill effects from his feast. Learning from this incident, they decided to keep all chocolates and potentially harmful foods well out of his reach in the future.
Despite these measures, Angus’s curiosity and knack for finding hidden items didn’t wane. The following year, he managed to locate a bag of unwrapped gifts left accessible while the family was out shopping. His haul included toffee, peanut butter cups, and a few other treats, leading to some of the gifts being slightly damaged.
“This time I forgot one bag of unwrapped gifts where he could get them while we went shopping. He ate the toffee and peanut butter cups, and a couple of boxes have tears in them, but that’s traditional now. He has no quit at all,” Debbie remarked humorously.
Unconditional Love
Despite the frustrations and occasional stress caused by Angus’s antics, the O’Hara family never found it in their hearts to scold him severely. They understood that his actions were not out of malice but rather from a place of excitement and perhaps a lingering survival instinct from his days on the street.
Angus is more than just a pet to them; he is a beloved family member who is just as happy and grateful to be with them as they are to have him. “We love him like he’s our child, and you can tell he feels the same,” Debbie concluded warmly.
Indeed, the joy and love that radiate from Angus are palpable. He has found his forever home, and despite the challenges, he brings immense happiness and laughter to his family. His story is a poignant reminder of the resilience of animals and the transformative power of love and kindness.
