Nobody Wants Me
Oscar was barely a year old when his first family let him go. No one can tell for sure what happened and how he ended up on the street.
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However, there is a possibility that Oscar got lost or the family was unable to keep supporting him. Oscar was a little lean, had a sore on his neck, and had visible dirt adhering to his fur when he was found.
Finding His Way to the Shelter
There are several animal rescue initiatives in Miami, but the Miami-Dade Animal Services (MDAS) were lucky to have been the first to encounter Oscar.
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The sober and gloomy dog was taken to the MDAS dog shelter, where he was cleaned and fed. After an enjoyable hosing down, Oscar’s wounds were treated, and his nails were trimmed. The team equally got him a cozy kennel, all to himself.
Waiting for His Turn On the Roll
Soon after Oscar had been treated for all possible illnesses, he was placed on a waiting list for adoption. However, the wait soon caused the scowl on this American bull to return and become more apparent.
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Volunteers at the MDAS shelter got the word out that they had an adorable bulldog up for adoption. They made social media posts and reached out to friends they knew who were dog lovers. Still, no application came in for Oscar’s adoption.
The Wait Seems Endless
A year passed, and Oscar had become one of the faces the dog trainers saw daily. They got used to having him around, and many even forgot he had ever been out for adoption.
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Unfortunately, the MDAS dog shelter had run out of space for newly rescued dogs. So, they had to let go of some old-timers like Oscar. While no one wanted him back on the street, the organization had very few options.
Introducing Oscar's Savior
No, Oscar didn’t get an adopter at this time. Another animal welfare organization — Humans and Animals United — decided to step in.
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According to Rosa Fond, the brain behind Humans and Animals United, letting shelter dogs loose again is counterproductive. While she commended MDAS’ effort, she emphasized that her organization had to work on saving many dogs from the cold streets.
Matchmaking Oscar by All Means
Fond and her team decided to swing into action. During her visit to MDAS, she explained that her organization does not board dogs but fast-tracks the process of finding them foster caregivers.
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After a lot of trials, Fond was able to get Oscar a foster home by the following day. Upon seeing his new home, Oscar’s scowl vanished.
A Happy Dog Smiles
As Oscar settled in, Fond could not help but notice his wide smile. The dog was obviously happy.
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Though this may have seemed like the perfect canine fairy tale, Oscar had just started his journey. First, he had a lot to learn about the active family he was staying with. Also, Fond set him up with a vet because he needed dental care.
A Dog's Equivalent of a Spa Treatment
The new home where Oscar was fitted actually belongs to a dog trainer.
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So, the dog was getting an all-around revamp that made him oh-so-happy. All the energy that Oscar was unable to channel as a young puppy started to show. During random visits to his foster home, it became a common sight to see Oscar happily skipping around.
Enjoying A Loving Home Before Moving to a Final One
Fond’s Humans and Animals United has taken the initiative to make dog adoptions an enjoyable experience. Nobody wants to adopt a gloomy, lethargic, and unkempt dog.
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But with the help of Fond and her team, such dogs are physically and emotionally cared for. They’re then taken out of the monotonous activities of a dog shelter and fitted up in foster homes.
The Homeward Strain
Initiatives like the one started by Fond will help dogs like Oscar tremendously. They get the opportunity to have an inkling of what it feels like to belong to a family before getting a final place to call home.
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So far, no one has shown interest in finally adopting Oscar, but he has been outfitted with the necessary obedience training to make a good family dog. In the meantime, he’s enjoying himself with his trainer and foster friend.