Some things are just meant to be. That’s how Tara felt when she first saw Scooby Doo on the SPCA website. The family had lost their beloved dog, Pocket and they were looking for a companion for themselves and their cat, Gemma.
“Scooby’s sweet face, along with his story, drew us to him,” said Tara. “There was just something about him that spoke to us more than any other dog (no offence to the other dogs; of course, we want all of them to have amazing homes). Scooby exuded kindness through his pictures, and his photos said we have to take him home now! The fact that he is an amputee didn’t concern us; it was actually the icing on the cake! When I read that Scooby was missing one of his hind feet, I felt like it was meant to be as I lost the same foot as him due to an infection.”
No one knows what happened to three-year old Scooby’s right hind foot. He was brought to safety at the Cape Breton Shelter by the SPCA Enforcement Team on October 16th last year. Scooby was extremely shy when he first arrived. He was afraid to walk out of the door, and sometimes, would be so nervous, he would lie down on the floor and staff would have to carry him. Staff and volunteers showered Scooby with love and over time, he became more confident and was happy to play in the yard or go for walks. But he patiently waited 110 days to find a loving home.
Scooby’s story touched Tara’s family’s hearts, and his photos spoke to them all the way from Cape Breton to Middle Sackville. On February 2nd this year, they travelled almost 4 hours to meet him! And Scooby Doo made a grand entrance at his meet-and-greet. Tara recalled “Scooby came into the room like a hurricane and then without hesitation, he flipped on his back for a belly rub! He greeted me, my dad James and my mom Gail, and seemed to know we were there to take him home. It was an instant connection. There was no doubt he belonged with us and we belonged with him.”
The family had adopted special needs pets before, but they weren’t specifically looking for one when they saw Scooby. “All of the stars aligned, and Scooby came into our orbit,” exclaimed Tara. “Having Scooby missing the same foot has helped me feel seen. I can also interpret how he might be feeling body-wise based on my own experiences with my amputation. It’s truly an exceptional and surreal experience!”
Scooby adapted very well to his new home. Gail said “We did not have to make any changes to our home, as we already had a ramp on our deck, and there is only one step inside our house which he can clear with much more ease than we can. We didn’t even have to ‘Scooby-proof’ our home because he never got into anything at first. Now that time has gone on, he loves to treasure hunt, so we have had to be vigilant and make sure the bandit doesn’t run away with anything he’s not supposed to. He makes us laugh when he’s doing it, though.”
You know your family loves you when they give you 11 nicknames! Scooby’s include: “Scooba-Dooba, Scooba-Steve, Chaos, Scoobaroo, Scoobaroni, Bubby, Bubby-Boy, Count Scoobula, Scoobalicious, Scoobee, Batdog.”
Scooby’s transformation is heartwarming. Tara said “When he first got here, dog toys were lying around the house that he would not touch. One day, my dad gave him a toy, and his reaction was priceless. He now had his own toy, and he took off running with it. He cried when he got his first bone.”
Scooby is a testament to resilience, showing that physical limitations do not define us! “Scooby has certainly adapted well to his surroundings, especially with his leg,” said James. “It’s incredible to recall that initially, he was afraid to go outside, and now he demands multiple walks a day. He has even gone on hikes! Missing a foot does not slow him down at all and definitely makes him more endearing. He has a fantastic spirit and personality and a lot of love to give.”
Scooby is becoming more confident with people and is coming out of his shell. Tara related “New people still make him nervous, but he is making great strides in becoming more social! Recently, I was getting off the bus and my dad was outside with Scooby. Scooby dragged my dad across the yard to meet my bus driver and let the driver pet him. This was a huge accomplishment!”
Scooby not only inherited a forever family, but also, a feline sister Gemma. “Scooby absolutely LOVES her,” said Tara. “He also loves the neighbourhood dogs and cats and enjoys the company of one of our neighbourhood children.”
Scooby is definitely living his best life. He enjoys treasure hunting, playing with his kitty sister, following bees around the yard, rubbing his butt on juniper trees, going for walks and acting like a puppy.
Scooby has made a world of difference in the family’s lives as well. They shared “When we lost our beloved dog, Pocket, our world was much darker. Gemma, our cat, was grieving hard as she had always been in our home with another dog. Scooby has lifted all of our spirits, and Gemma is happy again. His progress, happiness, and bravery have been the most rewarding to us. He is a kind soul who has never lost his spirit despite his background. We feel honoured that he loves and trusts us after everything he has been through.”
And beyond Scooby’s amazing personality, he is an inspiration for how he overcame the loss of his foot. He just figured it out and kept going. His resilience is impressive.
The family is grateful to the SPCA for playing a vital role in giving Scooby a second chance at happiness. They said “The SPCA rescued him from a situation that was far from ideal, nursed him back to health, and showed him immeasurable love. He wouldn’t be where he is today without the care of the SPCA.”
For anyone hesitant about adopting a pet with special needs, Tara says “Do it! Give them time and space and let them know that you are there to support them. There’s so much joy in giving a special needs pet a home and watching them flourish. You show them kindness, care, love and trust and they become the perfect pet for you!”
To find your perfect match, visit our website to see other adoptable animals waiting for their forever homes.
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Understanding the commitment involved in adopting a special needs pet is crucial to a happy healthy relationship. There are important things to consider before adopting a pet with special needs.
- Think about any long-term dietary requirements, special medications or treatments your pet will need. Pets with behavioral issues may need special training; those with mobility challenges may need therapy or surgery. Ensure you can fit these costs into your family’s budget.
- Your pet may need medications/injections at specific times of day. Ensure you’re available to do this.
- Talk with your family about the challenges that come with adopting a special needs pet and ensure everyone’s onboard.
- Your pet may need more frequent vet visits. Pets with an injury or physical disability may need assistance with standing or walking. Some may need you to physically accompany them outside for bathroom breaks, as opposed to simply being let out.
The NS SPCA makes every effort to place special needs pets with their perfect human match. Before deciding to adopt, speak to shelter staff since they’re familiar with the animal and consult with your vet to get a good understanding of the pet’s ongoing requirements. Whatever the pet’s special needs, the SPCA will be there before and after adopting to support you by providing information and advice.