One Interesting Pup
In a world where the elderly and forgotten often struggle to find their forever homes, the tale of a senior pup named Original Good Boy (or OGB for short) serves as a poignant reminder of the transformative power of compassion and the enduring spirit of our canine companions.
(Source: St. Hubert’s Animal Welfare Center)
OGB, an eight-year-old pup, had found himself in a predicament all too familiar to many rescue animals. Surrendered to the Humane Rescue Alliance in Washington, DC, and then transferred to the St Hubert’s Animal Welfare Center in New Jersey, the once-beloved pup had spent his days in the shelter, his eyes dimmed by the weight of hopelessness as potential adopters passed him by.
(Source: St. Hubert’s Animal Welfare Center)
But then, in a twist of fate, a 70-year-old woman named Susan Wright walked through the shelter’s doors, her heart open to the possibility of welcoming a four-legged companion into her life. As she meandered through the kennels, Wright’s gaze fell upon OGB, a pup whose serious demeanor and unique appearance initially gave her pause.
“We were walking around looking at the fur babies when I noticed one dog had his back to the door ignoring all attempts to engage him,” Wright recounted to Newsweek. “He had the face of a very serious dog with a square head of a bulldog and the compact muscular body of a terrier or pit bull.”
Yet, as Wright learned more about OGB’s history, her heart began to swell with empathy and a desire to give this senior pup a second chance. Abandoned by his previous owner, OGB had been forced to surrender his beloved human, and the emotional toll was evident in his reserved and withdrawn behavior.
“When I heard that he spent so many days in the shelter and had completely given up hope, my heart broke completely,” Wright admitted.
But where others had seen only a dog past his prime, Wright saw the potential for a loyal and loving companion. Determined to bring joy back into OGB’s life, she decided to take him on field trips, exposing him to new sights and sounds in the hopes of coaxing him out of his shell.
New Chapter In Life
(Source: St. Hubert’s Animal Welfare Center)
The journey was not without its challenges, as Wright soon discovered that OGB’s past had left him wary of certain individuals and situations. “He wouldn’t look at me or listen to me. I noticed he did not ‘see’ women, but men he paid very close attention to and particularly those in a large SUV or truck. He also didn’t react to children,” Wright explained.
Undaunted, Wright sought the guidance of a trainer, determined to build a strong bond with OGB and help him navigate this new chapter in his life. And as the pup began to trust his newfound guardian, a transformation began to take place.
“When my daughters discovered what I was doing, they wanted to go on a walk with OGB. They loved him on sight and thought he was quite handsome. It felt a little like introducing a date to them,” Wright shared, a testament to the way in which OGB had captured the hearts of those around him.
(Source: St. Hubert’s Animal Welfare Center)
Just as Wright had made a promise to stick by OGB’s side until he found his forever home, the pup made a promise of his own – to shower his new family with unconditional love and devotion. And true to his word, OGB, now affectionately known as Ogee, has blossomed into a devoted companion, his once-reserved demeanor replaced by a playful and affectionate nature.
Wright recounts one particularly heartwarming moment, where Ogee’s gentle spirit shone through as he comforted a young boy who had fallen off his bike. “Would all dogs do that, I don’t know. But we think it makes Ogee very special,” she remarked, her pride in her canine companion evident in every word.
It is a story that reminds us of the enduring power of love and the resilience of the canine spirit. For where others had seen only an elderly pup past his prime, Wright recognized the potential for a loyal and loving friend, a companion who would forever change the course of her life.
And as Ogee revels in the warmth and security of his newfound home, his transformation from a depressed, forgotten soul to a vibrant, adored family member serves as a beacon of hope for all those senior pups still waiting for their chance at a happily-ever-after. It is a testament to the transformative power of compassion, a reminder that every life, no matter how overlooked, holds the capacity for boundless joy and unconditional love.