About NORMAN A1998764

When someone walks through the shelter doors, sobbing, the natural instinct is to try to console them. Such was the case, on September 11, when a woman went to the intake desk at the East Valley Animal Shelter, Van Nuys, CA, to surrender her senior dog. Several of us in the lobby at that time, including a supervisor, approached her trying to find out why she was so distraught. She told us that she had adopted the dog a month ago from the Pomona Animal shelter, but he wasn't getting along with the other dog in the home. On the Dog Interview, which the woman filled out, she claims 'he will go after another dog if it growls at him.' She also claims that he 'doesn't play' with other dogs. And she mentions a couple of health issues that the dog has. NORMAN (#A1998764) was standing at the woman's side, obviously scared. Counselors from the Intervention Program at East Valley were sitting at a table in the lobby and we suggested to the woman that she go and speak to them. They have resources that pet owners can look into so that they may not have to surrender their pet. No, she was surrendering NORMAN, and that was it. Cry us a river, I thought, as I had to walk away. NORMAN is estimated to be 9-years-old. If only we knew his history. Did he have a home before he entered the Pomona shelter? Someone had cared enough to give him some training. He knows several commands; he walks well on leash and he's easy to handle; and his graying muzzle and soulful eyes make him so endearing. Interestingly, when a dog has been in the adjacent play yard, or even nearby, NORMAN ignores them. NORMAN needs someone who knows the definition of 'responsibility' and 'commitment.' He needs a forever home. If no one rescues/adopts NORMAN in the near future, I may cry myself a river. The shelter is open by appointment Tuesday-Friday; it's open for walk-ins on Saturday and Sunday from 11:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. Please Share, because #caringissharing

Los Angeles County
Van Nuys, California 91405