09/01/2025
How do I take a terrified dog back to the shelter after she spent the night curled on top of me and the day showering me with kisses? I absolutely cannot foster her, and I’ve networked and done everything I can. She came to me completely shut down, and now she’s starting to trust—only for me to be the one to break her again.
I had hoped there would be more support in helping her find a safe place. I can’t keep stepping in for dogs without a happy ending because the heartbreak of handing them back is too heavy. Yes, she had a break, felt love, and I have photos and notes that prove I gave her all I could in the short time I had. But at the end of the day, I also have my own dogs at home who must remain my priority and fostering long term it’s not doable right now.
UPDATE: https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1KDZ37N9k7/
⸻PLEASE READ BEFORE COMMENTING AND READ UPDATES IN COMMENTS
Meet Stormy
Stormy is a sweet 3–4-year-old little mama who was abandoned and completely shut down at the shelter. When I first met her, she wouldn’t even walk.
The good news: she’s small, very sweet, housebroken, and has done wonderfully in the crate while at the beach. She needed a little time to settle overnight in my home, but once she did, she was fine. She’s been okay on a parallel walk with my dog, though she also became very excited around another dog. Because we don’t know for sure if she’s dog-friendly, she would do best as the only dog in the home, or with very slow, careful introductions. Update : she had another leash interaction with two of my dogs and she dod great! One is a male and one a female, both pits about her size.
Stormy will be an absolute gem for the right family. Because of her fears, she needs a home with older children (12+) and no small kids. She’s also shown some prey drive, so I don’t believe she would do well with cats or wildlife.
Currently, she’s in Oak Island, NC, on a short “staycation,” but she will be returning to Charlotte Animal Shelter soon. The shelter allows these short breaks to give dogs like Stormy a chance to decompress, and that’s exactly what I’ve been trying to give her.
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Timing
Stormy needs a foster, rescue, or adopter by Friday or very very latest of Tuesday. I can’t do a long-term foster because one of my own dogs is very sick and needs my focus, but I wanted to give her a chance to relax, feel love, and have a break from the shelter.
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A Note from Me
I’ve fostered more than 150 dogs over the years, often giving more than I realistically can because I believe every dog deserves a chance. As a volunteer, I ask for understanding that I cannot accept being told what I should or shouldn’t do, being asked to take on more, or receiving rude or inappropriate comments about why I can’t keep a dog or why she is on a short “staycation.”
My first responsibility will always be to my own dogs’ well-being—especially since one of them is very sick right now. When I committed to 4 days, that is exactly what I committed to, and during that time I’ve gone above and beyond to help her, as I always strive to do.
If you cannot be kind, supportive, or helpful, I respectfully ask that you do not comment. Negativity directed toward a volunteer trying to help a dog does not reflect well—it suggests personal struggles that have nothing to do with the dog in need. A well-adjusted person does not come to a rescue post simply to be mean, judgmental, or demand more from someone who is already giving so much.
So please, read the post fully before commenting. If you truly want to help—by fostering, adopting, or sharing—you can make the difference that gives Stormy her happy ending.
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Remember:
This is my business page dedicated to helping dogs. I am a volunteer, not a shelter, shelter employee, or rescue organization. I’m just one person trying to make a difference for dogs in need.
If you want to learn about our properties created to host dogs with their families at the beach and mountain you can check out our links at:
airbnb.com/h/dogmountainboonenc
airbnb.com/h/isleofdogsnc
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