Meet Athens!

When I heard about the Charleston Animal Society’s (CAS) Paws Around Town program I knew it would be the perfect volunteer experience for us. We’re always enthusiastic about anything involving animals, and this program is basically like being a foster for the day. You get to take a dog out on a field trip, which gives him or her a much needed break from shelter life. The point is to go to parks, restaurants and other public places so the dog can meet people and hopefully connect with someone who will adopt him. A report card you complete at the end of the day provides the shelter with feedback to share with potential adopters.

On June 20th we signed up to do our first Paws Around Town. Robbie was off work that day and decided to come with us. I was surprised he decided to join us considering that he’s not generally an animal person, but we were glad to have him along. When we arrived at CAS they asked us what kind of dog we wanted to take out — big or small, energetic or quiet, old or young. I told them I didn’t care nor did I want to pick the dog. I didn’t want to be responsible for choosing who got to go have a day of fun verses who had to stay behind. So I asked them to choose one for us who just really deserved a day out. (Don’t they all?)

After a short orientation, and some debate on which dog to send with us, we anxiously awaited our dog’s arrival. A few minutes later, out trotted a handsome black and white pittie mix who immediately reminded me of our dog Stella. He was about the same size as Stella (50 lbs) with similar markings. And he was very happy to be going on a doggie field trip!

We loaded him in the car and headed towards North Charleston’s Riverfront Park. There’s usually a lot of people at the park, but we found it to be mostly deserted on this quiet Monday. Athens enjoyed walking although it was very hot and humid. After a long walk, we took a little break and let him sit in the shade with some water to cool off.

Then we were off to DIG in the Park for lunch, which is very dog friendly restaurant with a 5 bone rating on Bring Fido. They brought him a big bowl of ice water to enjoy and he got lots of attention from the staff and other diners. He laid down next to our table and napped during most of the meal. We were extremely impressed with his table manners as he didn’t beg for anything! He was very friendly with everyone who came up to talk to him. One lady in particular seemed very interested and took a card with his information on it.

After lunch we headed to Michael’s Barkery which is a pet bakery and boutique on Daniel Island. They have all kinds of cute dog toys, collars, and home decor as well as a bakery with yummy dog treats. We got Athens a cookie and a bone that he could take with him back to the shelter.

By this time, close to 4 hours had passed and our day with Athens was quickly coming to an end. I knew going into this that the hardest part would be returning him to the shelter. I’d tried to mentally prepare myself for it, knowing that adopting another dog was never part of the plan, but it’s so easy to become attached. I was overcome with dread when we pulled into the parking lot at CAS, and both kids were saying they didn’t want to take him back.

Robbie waited in the car while Sophie, Audrey and I walked Athens to the door. We stopped at a bench in front of the building, sat there with him for a couple minutes, told him he was a really good boy and we hoped he’d find a home very soon. I could already feel the tears coming. Had he hesitated or resisted in any way when we led him through the door I surely would’ve lost it, but he walked inside happily. I handed him over to the CAS staff and he gave us one last glance before being lead back to the kennels. I managed to hold back the tears until we got back to the car….. then cried all the way home!

Not once did I ever ask about adopting him. I figured there was a better chance of Robbie getting stuck by lightening than ever agreeing to adopt another dog. It took us months to convince him to get Stella and it was under the condition that me and the girls would be fully responsibly for her care. She’s grown on him over time and he takes her for an occasional walk but that’s about it. So I didn’t even waste my breath by suggesting that we adopt Athens because I knew it would never happen.

When we were almost home, I realized that we still had the green backpack of doggie supplies they’d sent with us for the day. Audrey has it on her back in the photo above. I’d intended to leave it at CAS but was so focused on trying to keep my emotions in check that I forgot and we left with it. Robbie offered to return it the following day as he was meeting with a client not far from CAS.

That night, I thought of Athens sleeping alone in his kennel and hoped he was enjoying the bone we sent back with him and dreaming of his happy day with us. I prayed that he’d find his forever home very soon. I posted this review on Charleston Animal Society’s Facebook page to help boost his chances:

Meet Athens! We had the privledge of taking Athens on a doggie field trip today through the Charleston Animal Society’s Paws Around Town volunteer program. He is such a good boy! Adoption fees are currently waived at CAS for dogs older than 6 months. Athens is about 3 years old and is looking for his forever home! He would make a GREAT dog for someone!

He’s great with kids, loved Sophie (12) and Audrey (9) and stood calmly while a 3 year old child petted him.
Was friendly to all the people and dogs he saw while out and about (lots of tail wagging)
Rides great in the car
Walks well on a leash
Didn’t bark or jump at all
He has excellent table manners! He laid next to our table during lunch and didn’t beg at all even though we had tons of French fries.

We took him for a walk at Riverfront Park, out to lunch at DIG on the Park and to get a bone and cookies from Michael’s Barkery. Shout out to DIG on the Park for being very dog friendly! He was welcome on their patio and they brought him a big bowl of ice water. Michael’s Barkery also welcomed him with open arms and gave him a cookie to snack on.

Please share so we can find this sweet boy a good home because he so deserves it! Also hoping to recruit some other volunteers to do Paws Around Town. It’s such a nice break from shelter life for very deserving dogs!

The next day was back to work and we went about our day as usual. I’d sent the green backpack of doggie supplies with Robbie to return to CAS. Mid afternoon I got a text from him says “Athens is still available for adoption but they don’t do foster with the ones for adoption. Just FYI.” I was like “Whaaatt??? You actually asked about fostering him?”

Then the conversation just stopped and I never heard anything else from him until he got home from work. He called me on my cell phone and asked, “Can you and Sophie come help me get something out of the car?” Robbie never needs our help for anything like that — he’s more than capable of doing it himself — and I was in the middle of cleaning at the time so was a little irritated at the interruption. But nonetheless I got Sophie and we headed out to the garage to see what it was. Audrey was already outside, probably looking for lizards or frogs as she does most afternoons.

Robbie lifted the back door of his car and we were absolutely shocked to see Athens inside!!! Not only had he returned the backpack of dog supplies to CAS, but he adopted him!!! HE ADOPTED HIM!!! We’ve been married for over 20 years and he’s never done anything that shocked or surprised me more! I asked “What got into you???” and he replied “I just couldn’t leave him there.” It was one of the sweetest things he’s ever done.

Next up we introduced Athens to his sister Stella. She was excited to have a buddy to play with and they ran wildly around the yard for 15 or 20 minutes before collapsing in the grass. There was a little bit of jealousy in the next few days as she adjusted to sharing the attention but she’s come around now and they are besties!

His first meeting with our cat Sullivan didn’t go as well. He chased after him barking loudly while Sullivan hissed and arched his back. It’s going to take some time for them to be friends….but we’re working on it.

We’ve had Athens for about a month now and are settling into a routine. I walk both dogs in the morning and Robbie joins us for the evening walk. Stella loves having a friend to play with. Athens needs some basic training but overall is a great dog who has been a wonderful addition to our family.