Featured Dog Friday

Most dog owners will attest to the fact that their dogs feel a range of emotions. Dogs may not experience sadness quite the same as us humans but they can experience anxiety and depression. 

Science has concluded that the development of dogs’ emotions is basically equivalent to that of a two year old child, so the sadness they experience is less complex than a human adults. Human adults can feel sad or depressed as a result of many things; for example, their failures, imperfections or something they did or didn’t do. Since dogs, like very young children lack self-consciousness, they don’t experience this type of sadness. Still, research has proven that dogs can experience sadness or get depressed for a variety of other reasons.

Because dogs are social animals, lack of attention or being left alone for long periods of time can affect their mental health. When dogs are confined for extended hours, it can lead to depression – long term shelter residents who sadly spend most of their days inside a kennel are greatly impacted mentally. The long term psychological and emotional effects of shelter life truly can hurt these beautiful souls beyond the mere words we can use here.

Meet handsome Simba! His history is a mystery and his story is short, but that does not make it any less heartbreaking. This beautiful soul was picked up as a stray by Animal Control in August of 2019 and he has patiently waited almost 2 years now for his family to come in and find him but that has not happened. 

Simba arrived at the Town of Brookhaven Animal Shelter terrified, hiding in a trough and trying to bury his head. For a long time he remained a bit shy and nervous, and even though he had made great strides and continued to blossom, what he truly needed was a very patient human in his life to help him. The shelter has stated that they know in their hearts there is so much more that he is capable of and they really want to find him his forever person.

He started out with one human friend at the shelter, then he made several, but he seemed to be stuck in a very sad place. Not knowing where he came from, who he was missing from his life, or how he ended up wandering the streets made it difficult to pinpoint why he was just so sad; he stopped improving and was just existing. The staff and volunteers at the shelter did and continue to do everything possible to make Simba’s life happy, but they know in their hearts a home is what he truly needs.

When confined in an animal shelter, dogs like Simba experience a wide range of emotions that profoundly affect their emotional health in the short term and may also have a long term impact. This is particularly true if they become sensitized to people, places or things that trigger fear or frustration, or when stress and its associated negative emotional states are prolonged. Shelter life is more stressful and frustrating than is natural or acceptable. Even the best shelters are loud, chaotic, and frightening places for the animals who live there. Ignoring the effects of shelter life on the well-being, health, and behavior of the dogs is a great injustice.

Confinement in a kennel environment makes coping difficult for animals. It’s challenging for animals in shelters to engage in normal everyday behaviors. They have little control and few behavioral options that might serve as effective outlets for their emotions, they can’t ask to go out to potty, and their daily interactions may be inconsistent making it difficult for them to learn what to expect and adapt accordingly. Over time, they become frustrated and may begin to experience fear or anxiety – this is sadly the state of emotions Simba is dealing with. 

In January of 2021 Simba was evaluated by a Board-Certified Animal Behaviorist who gave them several recommendations, most being specific exercises, desensitization along with consistency, patience, and a medication protocol. Simba is now doing extremely well, he is more outgoing, relaxed, confident and we could not be happier for him. 

The Doctor was very happy with his progress at his April recheck. As Simba keeps improving, the shelter has been increasing his circle of friends and look forward to the day he lets go of all of his nerves and shows his newfound confidence in his forever home. 

Simba is 88 pounds, estimated to be five to seven years young, up to date on vaccinations, neutered, micro-chipped, heartworm negative and looking for his hero. He walks beautifully on leash, loves going on long walks, enjoys squeaky and crinkly toys. One of his most favorite toys is a big tennis ball and it’s a bonus if it squeaks. He is highly treat motivated, making training come with ease. He will give you his paw and will just leave it in your hand for as long as you want to hold paw and hand with him. He is a truly sweet boy that just wants to be loved.

Simba needs a very special mom and dad — a savvy, experienced, and patient individual(s) who are committed to him and will put in the time needed to help him become the best boy he can be and help him learn to just be a dog. He would thrive best in an adult only home as your one and only pet. We know this can be a difficult criteria, but we know that there are homes out there that can fulfill this need. He will require a few meet and greets to get to know you, but once he does, the love Simba has to share will amaze you! He really wants nothing more than to please his people, and to be your best friend. 

It’s a fact that long shelter stays increase the odds of behavioral deterioration, and ultimately emotional trauma may cause issues such as chronic fear, anxiety, depression or even aggression. If a dog remains in shelter care indefinitely it most certainly may lead to long-term emotional suffering – let’s not allow this to happen to Simba let’s find him a home! 

Adopting a homeless animal is an amazing act of compassion and a highly rewarding experience. Don’t hesitate to give yourself the wonderful opportunity to brighten Simba’s life, you will not regret it. Could you be the one to make his wish come true?

If you’re interested in this handsome boy, make an appointment and head down to the shelter. Simba is so worthy of being loved and cherished for the rest of his life. If you are not in a position to adopt we ask that you please share. Together, we can change his world.

Town of Brookhaven Animal Shelter
300 Horseblock Road
Brookhaven, NY 11719
(631) 451-6950

Be sure to head over to Adoption Central right here on Paws Give Me Purpose, share Simba and all the other Featured Dog Friday pups still in search of their forever homes.