Poncho – Big Changes for a Little Guy

The process was slow at first. It was decided just one staff member should work on gaining his trust so the little guy wouldn’t be overwhelmed. That person was Sue Chambers, our Director of Operations here at CHS.

With endless patience Sue just sat quietly with little Poncho in her lap, petting him and giving him treats. Once he started to feel more comfortable around people Poncho started spending his days in our administration office, away from the din of noise in the kennels. Little Poncho’s curiosity got the better of him: he started to approach other people in the office. He was quickly rewarded with lots of cuddles and delicious treats.

And yet, little Poncho needed something more; to gain needed confidence he needed to experience the love and warmth that comes only from living with a family.

Then longtime volunteers Paula and Joel Freehling, pictured below, stepped up to the challenge–as they have done so many times before–they took little Poncho home to foster him. Under their loving care Poncho blossomed. His personality really started to shine.

It’s not easy to give your heart to a foster animal that needs your help as the Freehlings have done many times before. A little piece of your heart leaves with the animal when it goes to a new home. Giving up that attachment is really hard, but those who have the courage to do this reap many rewards; they know they’ve literally saved an animal’s life, and, by letting this one go they can do it again, and again…CHS is deeply thankful to all the wonderful foster parents who do this work. It saves many animal’s lives.