On a quiet Friday in early January, with just a dusting of snow on the ground and no real plans for the day, Noel Guscott and his wife Maddi Mckay set out for what they thought would be a simple post-holiday outing. Ikea was the destination for curtains, storage bins, maybe some Swedish meatballs. Nothing extraordinary. But sometimes, the most life-changing moments happen when you least expect them.
Standing in line for lunch, Maddi was checking her phone and pointed out that the SPCA’s Dartmouth Shelter was just up the road. They recently bought their first home, and for the first time, adopting a dog was truly an option. The couple agreed to stop by and ‘just have a look.’
“I remember feeling like if we visited the shelter, we wouldn’t be leaving alone. A little furball would likely be getting a new home,” says Noel. And he was right.
Inside the shelter, one photo on the wall caught their attention immediately. Her name then was Lucy (now Lupine), a young dog with short white fur, a sprinkle of black spots across her face and pink skin around her nose and eyes. “Her picture was adorable. She looked gentle and a little unsure, but there was also a sparkle in her eye,” says Noel.
Lupine was very scared and slow to warm up when she first arrived at the shelter, and her profile noted that she had been at the shelter for some time and asked for serious inquiries only. She was also young and had already had puppies.
“We suspected that like many dogs, she had a hard start to life,” says Noel. “And that’s what drew us to her.”
They couldn’t stop thinking about how long she had been waiting and how she deserved a life of comfort and happiness. 
Maddi immediately told the staff that they’d like to meet Lupine. It only took 15 minutes for this shy and fearful girl to start warming up to Noel and Maddi. “She began to do back and belly flops for us. We got along so well, so quickly that it was clear she was the one for us,” says Noel.
Two days later, Lupine went home.
On her very first day, it was clear she felt safe. When crate training didn’t quite go as planned, Lupine chose instead to run upstairs, hop onto the bed, and snuggle up beside her new people like she knew she belonged.
The first few months were still an adjustment, partly because Lupine gained a sister – a sassy, middleaged orange tabby cat named Chava who already ruled the household. But Lupine settled in quickly and the new fur siblings learned to share the space over time.
“When we adopted her, she was only one year old. So that meant more walks, more playing outside, more adventures, and less napping than we expected, but we were so happy to see her come out of her shy shelter shell,” says Noel. “With some love, training, and learning to share the bed, Lupine has become the most loyal companion and best friend we could ever have asked for.”
Lupine’s personality has had the chance to shine in her new home. Her family describes her as sassy, observant, energetic, mischievous, cheeky, and cautious but adorably bossy when she feels like it.
She’s also a dog of extremes. She goes from napping and lounging for 12 hours straight one day, to doing an eight kilometer hike the next. She was diagnosed with hip dysplasia at the shelter, but thanks to management from Noel and Maddi, she has no issues and it doesn’t stop her adventures.
Lupine is still cautious in new situations and with new people, especially with masculine presenting people. But with patience, she has been able to open up.
One major moment was when she formed a strong bond with Noel’s friend, Ben. She was given the time to approach him and assess him on her own terms, and she decided to trust him. “Ever since their first meeting, Lupine has been extremely attached and excited to see Ben. It was just one of those moments where we were so proud of her,” says Noel.
Lupine has taught her family that love looks different for everyone. Some people need time and patience to trust you and show love. Lupine is a great example of this.
“If you’re considering adoption, do it,” says Noel. “Adopt the shy or nervous dog. They deserve all the love, and sometimes they just need a safe home to come out of their shell.” 
Meeting Lupine felt meant to be, but Noel and Maddi strongly believe it was only made possible due to the hard work of SPCA staff. “The staff and volunteers of the SPCA are wonderful people who save the lives of countless animals every day. They’re the reason so many families find their pets.”
Lupine grew to love all the SPCA staff during her time at the shelter. One year post adoption she even went back to visit a staff member that she was especially close with named Liz.
“The moment we pulled up to the shelter, Lupine was whining with excitement. We got out and met Liz and it was immediate recognition from Lupine,” says Noel. “This shows the level of care they put in and the deep bonds they form with animals who are waiting to find their forever homes.”
One final message from Noel and Maddi: “If you can, please donate to the SPCA or your local animal shelter, whether through funds, through your own time, through appreciation, or even by sharing a Facebook post. The work they do is incredibly important and relies on community support. In times like these, it is more important than ever that we take care of one another, including our animal companions.”