Adopting and bringing an animal into your loving home is one of the sweetest and happiest moments ever. It’s something that is not only special to the hooman but also to the animals as they finally have a family that they can call their own.
Unfortunately, not every animal gets to experience this incredible moment.
According to research conducted by ASPCA, 6.3 million animals enter U.S. shelters each year. Of those, there are approximately 3.1 million dogs. 390,000 of these dogs fail to find forever homes and end up being euthanized.
Lana, the pup of today’s story, did manage to see what it’s like to be a part of a family, but only for a brief moment.
Meet Lana
Lana is a beautiful one-year-old Catahoula Mix who was brought into the Valley Animal Center in Fresno, California, as a puppy. Later in her life, the shelter would prove to be the only true constant in this sweet pup’s life.
“Lana was brought into our care from animal control as a three-week-old puppy with a litter that her mom was still nursing,” Ruben Cantu, an animal care adoption supervisor at the Valley Animal Center told Newsweek.
After arriving at the Californian shelter, it didn’t take too long for Lana to be adopted. Unfortunately, it didn’t last.
Because Lana suffers from separation anxiety, her owners decided that she was too much work and that she could no longer stay with them, so they returned her to the shelter.
Lana was heartbroken to be back at her old kennel, but she decided not to lose hope.
Second Chance
Luckily, after some time, another family noticed this sweet pup and decided to give her a second shot.
Lana was ecstatic when she found out that she was going to a new home and tried her best to make this one her forever family.
But, this, unfortunately, also did not work out in the end.
This sweet pup was returned yet again to the Valley Animal Center for the same exact reason.
“In both cases, it was the struggle to keep Lana contained. She deals with separation anxiety, and when left alone in a yard she will find a way out,” Cantu said.
Lana was heartbroken. She just couldn’t understand why she wasn’t good enough to be a part of somebody’s family.
Now, she spends her time finding ways to break out of her kennel and go looking for a home of her own… a family that will love her for who she truly is.
The shelter staff is trying their best to help her realize that it isn’t her fault and that the perfect family is out there somewhere – she just needs to be patient. They are also spending a lot of time with her, training her as well as playing fun games with her outside.
I am sure that one day, this sweet girl will find a family that loves and appreciates her for who she truly is and who can understand that she only needs a little more patience.
“This sweet girl loves to run and play with her shelter friends. Her favorite thing at our facility is the dog park, as she gets to run and be free. With this, we believe she would make the best hiking buddy or the best fur member to any family that enjoys long walks and adventures. Lana does jump really high and needs a household with a secured fenced yard,” a staff member wrote on TikTok.
If you or somebody you know can offer Lana the loving environment she desperately wants, please contact Valley Animal Center for more information.
Dogs And Separation Anxiety
Dogs are naturally very loyal and affectionate animals who have very strong bonds with their hooman companions.
However, when they are abandoned or left alone for long periods, they can develop separation anxiety. This condition mostly manifests through behaviours such as excessive barking, destructive chewing, and doing their business indoors.
Even though this routine can cause distress for both the dog and the owner, it is something that can be overcome.
Firstly, the owner needs to have understanding and patience. Secondly, techniques such as gradual desensitization, providing mental stimulation, and establishing a calming routine can help the pup feel more relaxed and develop a sense of security when they are left alone.
If you have a pup who has separation anxiety, please do not give up on them. Seeking professional help and giving your dog a chance to overcome this condition is so much better than surrounding them to a shelter, as it can only make their separation anxiety worse.
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