Inseparable Seniors Abandoned Again: Can This Bonded Duo Find a Forever Home Together?
Dog adoptions are usually a cause for celebration, but they do not always lead to a happy ending. A bonded pair of senior dogs, Baron and Baroness, have found themselves back at the shelter where they were adopted from two years ago. Unfortunately, it didn’t turn out to be forever. They have ended up at the same shelter after being found abandoned at South Mountains in Arizona.
Baron is an 8-year-old gray Pit Bull mix, who is now known as Charlie. Baroness is a 9-year-old Rottweiler, named Foxtrot. These senior dogs were adopted from Maricopa County Animal Care and Control (MCACC) in Phoenix, Arizona, in 2020.
Adoption Gone Wrong
Charlie and Foxtrot might have found a way to stay together back in 2020, but seeing them after 2 years, the shelter staff can ascertain that they didn’t have a good life, especially Foxtrot. The sweet Rottweiler has lost a lot of weight, with visible ribs. Moreover, her temperament has also gone through a significant change.
During her previous stint at the shelter, she had a carefree and friendly personality ow she gets alarmed easily.
These changes indicate that she didn’t receive the proper care in these two years. Additionally the previous owner tried to surrender Foxtrot because he found it annoying when she licked Charlie’s face, according to shelter staff. Clearly, this sweet pair did not go to a suitable home.
Will You Open Your Heart and Home to this Devoted Pair?
Charlie and Foxtrot are an inseparable, bonded pair of dogs up for adoption. They are house-trained and crate-trained, and everyone at the shelter adores them. Incredibly loving and endearing, these dogs are perfect for anyone looking to add a couple of sweethearts to their home.
Interested people should know that Charlie is the more outgoing of the two, while Foxtrot is a bit shy, possibly because she has been a mother before.
In addition, it would be ideal for them to be adopted together. They need comfort from each other, especially in their golden years. The shelter, however, hasn’t made it mandatory to adopt them together. So, they can be adopted as single dogs.
Dr. Gary Weitzman, president and CEO of the San Diego Humane Society, states, “Keeping a bonded pair together when adopted ensures they have the security and comfort of each other during what can be a stressful situation.”
Hence, the rescue group Desert Dog Project pleads to potential adopters to welcome this mellow, gentle, and laid-back duo into their homes together. But in order to avoid what they went through following their previous adoption, you need to understand what to expect when adopting a bonded pair of dogs.
What is a Bonded Pair of Dogs and Why You Should Adopt Them?
Bonded dog pairs don’t necessarily refer to dogs who live together. In fact, according to Dr. Weitzman, there have been many cases where two dogs or cats from the same house have ended up in a shelter, and separating them has been better for them.
A bonded pair of animals share a much deeper connection than simply sharing a space with one another. As per The Wildest, “These animals will typically sleep together, play together, eat at the same time, and protect each other if one shows duress.” They could be siblings or animals that have been together for a long time. Additionally, what’s interesting is that there have also been bonded pairs of different species, for instance, a dog and a cat.
If separated, bonded dogs can show signs of anxiety, stress, and even depression. “We have seen cases of animals who stop eating and completely shut down if removed from their ‘other half. Keeping them together ensures they are both happy and healthy,” says Dr. Weitzman. Due to this, shelters and rescues often stress adopting bonded pair dogs together.
Benefits of Adopting A Bonded Pair
When interested dog owners come across bonded dog pairs for adoption, they often hesitate to take them home. Pet Rescue Advocate Rocky Kanaka has aptly said, “It’s not easy getting bonded pairs adopted.” It is understandable because taking care of one dog can be quite expensive and taxing, and when you add on another dog it’s double everything.
Yet, adopting such pairs of dogs also has plenty of advantages. Bonded furry friends provide each other with comfort and companionship, which can alleviate boredom, ease separation anxiety, and curb destructive behaviors such as excessive barking or the tendency to chew everything.
Dr. Weitzman provides another advantage, noting, “When their person is away, they have each other. They stay entertained [and] you can feel comfortable knowing that your fur-babies are happy at home.” Thus, it is actually much easier to leave bonded dogs alone at home for hours than to leave a single dog home alone.
Additionally, bonded dogs often do not have a hard time adjusting to their new surroundings after adoption. “They can be there for each other during the transition period into a new home,” mentions Dr. Geitzman.
if you already have a pet dog, you might be worried about adding a third dog to a bonded pair. For this issue, a senior dog foster mom, Lisa Arden, advises, “I suggest bringing resident pets to the shelter or rescue to meet your new pets before adopting if at all possible. This can definitely allow you to see if their personalities match before finalizing the adoption.”
