What I Learned From Adopting a Rescue Dog Over Spring Break

I spent my 3 weeks of Spring Break in Berkeley, California with my aunt, uncle, and their little poodle Barnaby, an hour flight away from EF Academy Pasadena. My initial plan for a relaxing and purposeful break studying for upcoming AP exams and spending time with my family was turned upside down by the introduction of a new member: Koi. Koi is a 4.5-year-old miniature black and white poodle my aunt found on Dogwood Animal Rescue Project’s social media page, waiting for a home. Hearing his sad backstory of being abused and kept as a breeding dog in a backyard for 4 years, my family took action immediately.

Upon meeting him at a ranch where he stayed with his foster parents for a month, we fell in love. I held him all throughout the one hour drive home and he snoozed like a baby. We set up his bed, crate, and put his diaper on to house train him. It was a process that required lots of patience and practice, but in the end it was all worth it.

I could not have possibly imagined the pain he went through throughout his early years and yet, he still had so much love left to give. He loves belly rubs, napping, walks and fetching toys: things he couldn’t have done while being held captive. Due to complications found during the rescuing process, he had to undergo surgeries and get all of his teeth removed which in turn made his tongue always fall out. My aunt usually jokes that Koi respects no one because he always has his tongue in everybody’s face.

Seeing an older dog being adopted truly is a life-changing experience. Ever since I was little, I’ve only had dogs since they were puppies. Therefore, being able to experience a few days with Koi before going back to school broadened my perspective on animals. I understood that all of them, whether young or old, have unconditional love within.