A Year With Doppler

Recently, I was asked to write an article for CT Pet Lovers. I thought I’d share it with you here.

Tomorrow marks one year since I sent an email to the Wallingford Animal Shelter. They had advertised a dog up for adoption via petfinder.com.

My wife and I are interested in adopting a dog. Could you tell us more about Mr Buttons – – age, size, temperament?

All the best,
Geoff Fox

Yeah, I know. Mr. Buttons? Not the perfect name.

As it turned out Mr. Buttons had already been adopted. We found that a lot on petfinder.com, nearly every dog we wrote about was no longer available.

No worries. There’s never a shortage of dogs waiting to be adopted at local shelters!

Here’s the email I got in response from Marci at the Wallingford shelter.

We do also have two Maltipoos, a male and a female, that are not online yet. We have not put them up yet because they needed a little TLC. They were abandoned, blocked in a baseball field dugout. They were very thin, their coats were matted to their skin and their nails were to the point of curling. The poor things were sad and scared. After a good bath and haircut, and a much needed pedicure, two new, happy dogs appeared!. They are the sweetest. They are socialable and love everyone. Their names are Wilbur (who is the smaller of the two) and Charlotte.

Helaine and I had already decided on our ideal dog. There weren’t many qualifications.

She… yes, our dog would be a girl… would need to be small enough to travel under an airline seat. We wanted a young dog, but not an outright puppy. Everyone wants a dog that’s house trained. Us too.

I headed to the shelter on Monday. That’s when I met the two dogs which would become Doppler and Bentley. Their temporary quarters was a bathroom where they were isolated from the other dogs waiting for homes.

I picked up Charlotte. It was love at first sight.

Helaine was a little apprehensive when I told her I’d found our dog. She knew it’s tough to hold a dog then say, “no.”

I committed to adopt Charlotte right then, but I was on my way to work. She would have to remain in the joint until Helaine and I could pick her up on Friday.

We did come back and it was love at first sight for Helaine too!

As I was to learn, bringing home a new puppy wasn’t terribly different than bringing home a baby. We headed to Petco and said “Fill ‘er up!”

Charlotte had become Doppler.

We set up sleeping areas and napping areas and relaxing areas and eating areas. Doppler quickly caught on. That first night she slept in the bed with Helaine and me.

There were a few accidents, but just a few. As it turned out we’d hit the dog lottery, Doppler was a house trained, non-food begging, non-shedding rescue!

We assume from her continued laid back demeanor, Doppler is just as happy to be here as we are to have her!

If you’re wondering what happened to Charlotte’s tiny brother, Wilbur, he became Bentley and was adopted the same day by our friends Cheryl and Steve.

And they all lived happily ever after.

Blogger’s note: When Helaine read this she noticed some errors relating to times and dates. The blog entry has been updated to correct the errors.

8 thoughts on “A Year With Doppler”

  1. I also love the story-she is adorable and looks very well adjusted and happy with her adopted mommy, daddy and new home-We did the same thing 3 years ago-our Hannah looks a lot like Doppler but bigger-every time you post a pic I think it’s Hannah!! She’s also a very sweet lovable puppy-and gives us all great joy, as I know Doppler does in your family!

  2. I remember those first photos as though it happened yesterday! We all fell in love with her at first sight, too, and melt with every new photo!
    ♥ Happily ever after! ♥

  3. Oh I remember that first picture too! So cute!
    Thank you for continuing to talk about the need of adopting local animals. That’s how we got our Wally. We just love him so much.

  4. Geoff

    Our first dog came from the westport humane society. That was over 10 years ago. Sadly he passed away earlier this year. We started checking pet finder, but we too found most dogs on petfinder where already adopted when we were searching for our dog.

    We then started checking the Humane society website too as we had such great luck with our first dog.
    We travel to Newington to check on a dog, but the advisory after speaking with us indicated the one we were interested in would not be right, but they had another dog we might be interest in. We met Brady and it was love at first site. He is a 1 year old Norwegian Elkhound mix. He has been with us for just over a month.

  5. Geoff and Helaine,
    I want to let you both know that after reading about Doppler since you (Geoff) first wrote a post about her, I have rescued a dog. I was born in Wallingford and lived there for 27 years and 11 years in Cheshire. Now, I live in Northwest Arkansas. My husband and I have adopted a dog from a dog pound in Springdale, Arkansas. Bentley is 5 years old and is a male (neutered) Pomeranian/Chihuahua mix. I never imagined I would own a Chihuahua (full bred or mix) because I have always heard horror stories about them. However, Bentley is sweet and gets along with my indoor cats. I just wanted you to know that your posts about Doppler were instrumental in our decision to adopt Bentley. Also, I have watched your short video about giving snacks only in the crate. He is crate trained already, and we will heed your advice.
    Karenne Saylor

  6. I am so pleased with the homes “the artists” formally known as Charlotte and Wilber have. :). You not only adopted Charlotte, now Doppler, you sent your friends for Wilber, now Bentley and as an added plus you gave of your time to take photos, and spoke of adopting from shelters, which placed countless good souls, in good homes.

    Thank you so very much for all you do for the voiceless fur-children! You have made a valuable difference. Doppler and Bentley are blessed to have such loving families.

    God bless your good works on behalf of those that depend on the kindness of human hearts. Great thanks from those of us that work to place them well.

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