Love and Patience Win – Each year, at the Seattle Animal Shelter Foundation’s (SASF) Furevermore Auction & Gala, we auction off our most prestigious prize, the Face of the Furry 5K. The award will be the poster pet for all of our Furry 5K material, and this animal represents all the shelter animals that the SASF Furry 5K helps every year. The Face of the Furry 5K gets an exclusive photo session with a professional photographer to capture their pet, and then a talented illustrator turns your pet into art! The Face of the Furry 5K illustration is used on that year’s banners, posters, and tee shirts worn by thousands of pet lovers who attend the Furry 5K Fun Run & Walk in Seward Park, WA.
This year it takes place on Sunday, June 9th and is the special 25th anniversary Furry 5K celebrating 25 years of helping Seattle’s pets. Everyone who registers gets a Furry 5K tee shirt featuring Fortis, the Face of the Furry 5K.
Meet Fortis, a dog who has fought hard and endured a lot to get here. Fortis was rescued from a serious case of neglect and abuse. His champion, who has been volunteering with the Seattle Animal Shelter (SAS) for two years, has had to learn to adapt to his traumatic past and mix of behavioral issues and medical struggles. “He’s like a lot of our dogs, where consistency, understanding who he is, and patience really helps.”
As an open admission shelter, SAS takes in any case. Whether an animal is seized, surrendered, or a stray, SAS is there to give that animal a chance. In some cases, like Fortis’, that means behavioral hurdles.
His guardian knew that adopting Fortis would come with a unique set of challenges, but was prepared to give him her all. “It’s not uncommon for some of our dogs to have a tough time once they’re adopted, for a while.” Fortis is not comfortable interacting with other people and dogs, and struggles with things like fear and separation anxiety. But he finds joy in playing with his favorite ball, barking at the TV, and hanging out with his person.
She cautions that it’s a challenge to take on a dog with these difficulties. “It’s not been easy, but I say, ‘We’re in this together, buddy. I’m not going to give up on you.’” She must set boundaries with their environment and people they meet to keep Fortis comfortable. “Love keeps me going, but if I wasn’t fortunate enough to have the resources and support system available to me, I don’t think I could’ve done this.”
Fortis’s person has learned that he will never be that dog that can walk up to someone and be pet, and that as his guardian, she has to be comfortable saying no. Taking on an animal means becoming their advocate in the world. The biggest eye-opener for her? “That this is going to be a different journey with him than it would be with another dog. And that journey takes a lot of attention to my environment, knowing in each situation how he’s going to react, and what I need to do to make that environment safe for him.”
“I love him with my whole heart, but it’s a lot of one-way relationship between the two of us,” she explains.
Managing expectations, understanding their needs, and accepting the unique journey is a big part of their story. What’s kept her going is a few crucial things. When she saw Fortis and what he went through, she knew she’d do anything to make his life better. “I thought, ‘I can do this for him.’” Having the ability and resources to give him what he needs, and knowing in her heart she was asked to do this, has helped keep her going through their ups and downs.
If it seems like a lot of work and commitment, it is. But thankfully, there are people like Fortis’s forever person willing to put her time, effort, and love into dogs like him. “I’ve been volunteering since I was very young and it’s always the dedication of the volunteers that is inspiring. It’s made me appreciate the volunteers where I work just that much more.”
It’s important to know what you’re taking on, but to also know that you’re changing a life.
To support this life-changing work, you can participate in this year’s Furry 5K or volunteer. You can follow the SASF social media accounts facebook.com/SeattleAnimalShelterFoundation/ and www.instagram.com/seattleanimalshelterfoundation/ too.
To get your animal companion as next year’s Face of the Furry 5K, be sure to attend the Seattle Animal Shelter Foundation’s Furevermore Gala later this year. Generous and passionate animal lovers bid to win the honor, all for such an amazing cause, supporting Seattle’s neediest pets.