Phoenix Finale

By, Guest Blogger Zach

This is a special blog for me as it’s both my first and very near to my heart.

Hello all, I’m Zach.  If you don’t know me, I’m Mia’s assistant trainer.  If you’ve been following Phoenix’s story you’ve probably seen pictures of the balding, (yes, balding not bald, deal with it), gentleman with Phoenix; that’s me.

I have to admit that I have failed Phoenix.  Although she wasn’t fostering in my home I have spent everyday with her and to put it simply: she is my foster fail.  For those unfamiliar with the term “foster failure” it means that the person who was fostering a dog fell in love with her and decided to keep her.  So yes, I have failed Phoenix.  It’s my greatest failure and a badge I will wear with pride.

I approached training Phoenix with the mindset of every other board and train: I would do my best to help them understand our basic and more advanced commands.  It’s no secret that working with the same dog day in and day out you start to develop real affection and saying goodbye is always a little hard, but I do so gladly knowing they return happier and more confident to a family who loves them.  This answers the first of two questions Mia has asked me since deciding to adopt Phoenix: “What makes this one different?”  She had no one who was eagerly awaiting her return; there was no one else, all she knew of love is what she found in Mia’s house.

The other question is: “What changed?”  Why didn’t I want her immediately?  I went in knowing she was leaving and thinking I didn’t have the room for her.  There was already had a family who was interested in her so I tried not to get too attached.  This was my first failure.  I didn’t just read about how she was opening up and showing her true personality and confidence.  I lived it with her; her first smile, the first time she willingly came out of her crate when called, the first time she engaged in play. These were not just awesome moments for her, they were awesome moments for me, too.

I let myself get attached even though I knew there was a family that eagerly awaiting news of her progress with hopes of adoption so I put the thoughts out of my mind and did my best to be professional.  I went back and forth in my head and accepted that she would have that loving family.  We just needed to see how she reacted around younger kids who were playing and just being kids.  She didn’t bite or lunge, but she was clearly agitated and didn’t want to be around them.  Ultimately, Mia and I decided that at this time she wasn’t ready to be in a family with younger children.  It was tough to tell her prospective family this news, as you can imagine and I’m glad Mia played the bad guy.

I allowed myself to acknowledge the hurt this family felt; I’m truly sorry Phoenix wasn’t ready yet.  This is the “what” that changed, she no longer had someone who was immediately ready to take her.  I had already fallen in love with Phoenix so I asked Mia what she thought of me as her forever family.  I explained all my doubts and my hopes, I wanted Mia’s honest opinion. I was thrilled when she said that a single guy in his early thirties would be a good match.  There was no hesitation this time and Mia and I put everything into motion to ready her for my adoption.  

Today I signed her paperwork.

I’m happy to continue this amazing journey with Phoenix.  I’m excited by my new, added responsibility and can’t wait to introduce Phoenix to her forever home.  I want to thank Char Wills for giving me this chance, Mia Semuta for showing her tremendous heart and taking on Phoenix’s foster, my pack for always welcoming new dogs with open paws and everyone who took the time out of their day to care about an unknown dog who was dealt a bad hand.

Thank you for following along on this blog as she completed the Good Dog Board and Train program.  Your kind financial support of Char-Wills in honor of this sweet girl is most appreciated.