Boomer: A Love Story, by Stephanie Crosby

Boomer

Boomer is a very special dog. Affectionate and playful — we brought him home in March of this year after our beloved dog Rocket died unexpectedly. Our hearts were broken, but we've always had dogs, so my husband Brian and I decided to see if we could find a shelter dog to foster.

We'd recently moved to the Bay Area and didn't really know where to start, so we visited various shelters and adoption programs up and down the Peninsula. During our visit to Pets in Need (PIN) in Redwood City, we had the chance to play with a few dogs and on our way out, my husband stopped at Boomer’s room and said, “What about this little guy? He looks hopeful.”  We were told he lived with anxiety, was touch sensitive, and had also been returned multiple times. But he was also very cute, and so we decided to give him a try using PIN's foster-to-adopt program.

Right away, he started to win our hearts  — great in the car and seemingly happy to be going home with us. My husband said, "We're going to fail at fostering again, aren't we." And I said, "Yes, I think we are."

Boomer Gets Used to His New Routine

Boomer is a smart little dog, and he's quickly overcoming most of his fears. After a couple of days, we decided to take him to meet our vet. Boomer went kind of crazy at first — a doggie panic attack — but our vet got down on the floor and said, "Just let him off his leash." We did, and suddenly everything changed. A visit that had started with Boomer barking at everyone in sight ended with him licking all of the staff, wagging his tail, and begging for treats.

Even in his first week with us, he started to understand the routine. I work at Foothill College, and he comes to work with me regularly. He goes on campus walks with our faculty and staff, hangs out in my office and meets students, and I have a picture of him sitting in on a cabinet meeting with our vice president. My husband Brian has started learning dog grooming, and Boomer even lets him do that.

Boomer's Favorite Game

Boomer was really mouthy when we brought him home. He didn't destroy things, but he gummed everything and everyone, kind of like a puppy. He also invented a favorite game that involves "stealing" Brian's things. Like most dogs, he loves to fetch — but Boomer doesn't return anything. He just takes his "found objects" to his bed. These treasures include shoes, socks, tee shirts, and various other pieces of clothing that we dutifully retrieve so he can do it all over again.

Boomer Looks Out for His Family

For a dog who came to us carrying so much worry, Boomer turned out to be remarkably attuned to his home. He notices things. He pays attention. Within weeks of moving in, it was clear he'd appointed himself the quiet guardian of our household — alert without being anxious about it, protective without being reactive.

The Joys of Adopting a Dog in Need

There's real joy in opening your home to a shelter dog and learning who they are. And I think it's wonderful that Pets in Need has built fostering into the process, because it gives people security knowing that there is a safety net for the animal.

When people come up to us when we're out walking and say, "Oh, he's so cute," I'll mention that we're still learning about him because he's a recent adoption. Then they'll say, "Wait … he's a rescue?" They don't seem to realize how many wonderful dogs are at our local shelters — every age, every size, every breed, and every temperament. There are some amazing dogs all over the Bay Area just waiting for someone to love them and take them home.

We still laugh about Boomer's multiple returns and the story he came with. He loves people and other dogs, loves to play, loves riding in the car and heading out on new adventures, and he loves his new family.

We adopted him, but he's also adopted us. He's the best little dog who just needed a second chance. And who could hope for a happier ending than that.