Foster Failure Leads to Unlimited Love

Staff Stories: Angela Prodrick, Executive Director

Sometimes Blue Ridge Humane is the only chance an animal has at a new life. While we never can know for sure, we do know that we will always be there for those that need us, and those are often the cats and dogs that have the most love to give. As we wrap up our Staff Stories for the time being, ending with Angela and Laverne’s story seems fitting and an apt reminder of how those second chances lead to amazing things. Angela Prodrick is the Executive Director of Blue Ridge Humane Society.

Laverne came to our Adoption Center about four years ago. She was timid, thin, and heartworm positive. Laverne’s big brown eyes seemed distant and unsure of the world.

I brought Laverne into my home as a foster dog. For the first few days, she laid in a far corner of my living room. I tried to play with her and take her on walks, but she always seemed nervous that she was doing something wrong. We began heartworm treatment. There were nights when she would pant and heave until three in the morning. I didn’t sleep those nights. I stayed beside her in case she woke up; I wanted her to know that I was there.

After some time passed, Laverne’s big brown eyes slowly showed signs of life. She began wagging her curly tail to go on walks. She even started trying to play (though she still wasn’t quite sure how). One afternoon she jumped on the couch next to me and laid her head in my lap, and that’s when I knew I would never leave her. That I’d always be there for her. I gladly became a “foster failure” as they call it in the animal sheltering world.

Now Laverne is quite frankly, a bit of a couch potato.  She even came with me to schools and nursing homes through Blue Ridge Humane Society’s outreach program. She is happiest when she is giving back to everyone she meets the love she’s found.  I often wonder if Blue Ridge Humane Society hadn’t saved Laverne, who would have? Would she have ever been rescued? If not, then all the children and all the patients she’s met throughout the last few years would never have experienced the gentle love she’s given them… and me.