Happy tails for the holidays

Published 6:00 pm Wednesday, December 20, 2006

Last week Eggnog couldn’t have been happier.

The WAIF animal shelter south of Coupeville was bustling with people wrapping up the day’s paperwork. Shelter manager Shari Bibich was busy hanging holiday decorations.

Eggnog was bubbling with enthusiasm. And thanks to Eggnog’s frantically happy tail and lovingly slobbery kisses — WAIF volunteer coordinator Amy Beckner was giggling uncontrollably.

“Look at this,” Beckner said through panting laughter. “This wasn’t happening before.”

Eggnog is a four-month-old Cockapoo appropriately named for his soft, fluffy, off-white colored fur. He arrived at the Whidbey Animals’ Improvement Foundation shelter Dec. 8. He was brought in by a family who had kept him for a week after he was found as a stray.

At first glance he was in bad shape: He was a little thin, pretty dirty, quite scared and his face was bloodied.

During Eggnog’s initial veterinarian checkup upon arriving at the shelter, the cause of the dog’s wound that encircled its face was soon discovered.

“He had a thin, clear plastic band wrapped around his mouth,” said WAIF Executive Director Ryan Peterson, adding the veterinarian estimated the dog’s snout had been constrained for about a month.

While no one knows for sure why Eggnog’s previous owner banded the dog, the staff can only speculate.

“Maybe barking, maybe chewing — he’s a puppy, who knows why someone did this,” Peterson said.

Eggnog’s foster parent Karen Rothboeck said the dog is recovering nicely and coming out of his shell just in time for the holidays.

“When he first came home with me he was frightened — but now he’s become puppyish again,” she said. “He’s so affectionate and can’t get enough attention.”

Eggnog has been eating heartily and has added a little padding to his once rib-baring frame. Bibich said he is available for adoption — if Rothboeck can part ways with the lovable fellow.

“He’s a great dog,” she said.

When many people would look at the situation as a “shame on you” lesson opportunity, Peterson said that he and the staff want to take a different approach.

“I’d rather focus our energies on improving the education of our public on the proper treatment of animals,” he said. “People should know that they can call WAIF any time they have training questions. They should know there are options out there that will work for them and for their pets in a healthy way.”

As the holidays approach, the staff at WAIF want to encourage people to think of the shelter animals if they want to adopt a pet, but they also want people to think before they bring any animal friend home.

“If you are looking for a companion animal do so at a shelter and take the time to make sure it’s a perfect fit,” Peterson said.

Some of the great animals at WAIF include two long-time dog residents. Jockster is a pitbull male who’s been at the shelter since October of 2005.

The WAIF Web site boasts, “The handsome and athletic Jockster came to us as a stray. He has a beautiful spotted coat and a winning personality.”

Bibich has a holiday wish to find a home for long-time resident Patches, a Border Collie and shepherd mix who arrived at WAIF in August of 2005.

“Being deaf has not dampened his zest for life one bit! Patches is a very likeable fellow, and he seems to like pretty much anyone and everyone he meets, regardless of species,” according to the WAIF Web site.

From knowing about what breed would be the best match for your lifestyle to potty training the animal once you bring it home — WAIF wants to be there to help build the knowledge.

Peterson wants to stop the cycle of animals coming to WAIF in an abused condition.

“It’s about education on all levels,” he said.

And it’s not just a question of finding what breed of dog fits you best, but also what age.

“Everyone wants a puppy,” Peterson said. “They want to be able to raise it the animal’s whole life but that takes a lot of responsibility. People also have to realize that some breeds are perpetual 2-year-olds.”

Rothboeck said that she’s found fulfillment as a foster parent to WAIF animals.

“It’s really rewarding knowing you’re helping the animals and the shelter,” she said.

Despite the rough start, Eggnog is the one who is wagging his tail and teaching the lesson in this holiday tale.

“He’s already forgiven whomever did this to him and will continue to be loyal to whoever chooses to love him in the future,” Peterson said. “All we can do is work to make sure it doesn’t happen again.”