Tessy, a charming black Lab mix, didn’t have the easiest beginning. She found herself in a Delaware shelter, filled with hope to quickly find her forever home. Unfortunately, finding her perfect match was not as straightforward as hoped.
Despite her lovable nature, Tessy was often passed over by potential adopters due to her reactive behavior—a consequence of spending too much time in the shelter. As days turned to months, and months to years, Tessy continued to wait for her special someone.
A Shelter Favorite with a Playful Spirit
The Humane Animal Partners (HAP) in Delaware welcomed Tessy after she was transferred from the Humane Society of North Texas. When she first arrived at HAP, Tessy was the epitome of playfulness and goofiness, winning over volunteers with her pawsitive attitude.
However, the shelter environment began to affect her, leading to fearfulness and reactivity around strangers and unfamiliar dogs. Despite this, the shelter team worked tirelessly to make her feel comfortable, understanding that she needed time to realize she was safe.
Overcoming Challenges with Love and Care
Source: Humane Animal Partners
Tessy quickly became a favorite among the HAP staff, enchanting everyone with her playful charm and heart-melting antics. She always greeted the staff with a big smile and an even bigger wiggle, which made it hard for anyone to not fall in love with her.
Still, her reactive behavior due to fear posed a significant challenge. It deterred many potential adopters, despite her desirable breed traits, leading to repeated disappointments when families would retract their adoption applications.
Dedicated Efforts to Address Fear-Reactive Behavior
Source: People
Leigh McKinley, the director of HAP, together with the dedicated team, crafted a comprehensive plan to help Tessy overcome her fears. This included a sound-proof kennel and custom curtains to reduce her stress levels, alongside constant monitoring and training using positive reinforcement techniques.
Tessy enjoyed daily walks, outings to the beach, and trips to local parks, gradually becoming more comfortable and enjoying her time outside—an enormous progress for her.
The Perfect Match Finally Appears
After numerous failed adoption attempts, Jeanine Walker-Porter and Jeff Bush turned out to be the perfect match for Tessy. They visited her several times, allowing Tessy to become comfortable with them gradually. On their final visit, Tessy showed clear signs that she had finally found her ideal humans, openly expressing her affection.
The shelter provided an emotional send-off for Tessy as she left for her new home, celebrated by everyone who had come to love her during her time at the shelter.
Thriving in Her Forever Home
Jeanine and Jeff later shared uplifting updates with the HAP team. Tessy had adapted wonderfully to her new environment and loved everything about her new life. She always stayed close to her owners, loving to sit between them, and they were thrilled to have her as part of their family.
From a fearful and insecure dog to a beloved pet embracing each new day as an adventure, Tessy’s story is a testament to the transformative power of patience, love, and the right environment.
