The 12 Dogs of Christmas: Meet Jessica, Looking for a Family for Almost 4 Years!

It’s the holidays! The time of year for families to gather together to celebrate traditions, share old memories, and make new ones. This year, as you surround yourself with family and friends, both two-legged and four-legged alike, remember there are millions of dogs in shelters, patiently waiting for a family of their own.

For some, this won’t be their first, second, or even their third Christmas behind bars.

It’s our Christmas wish that every __dog in rescue would find a home for the holidays, so we’ve selected 12 special dogs from around the country that have been overlooked time and time again. Some are senior dogs, some have special needs, and some are passed over for reasons we simply can’t understand – but, they all deserve to spend the holidays with a family of their own.

We’re calling this the 12 Dogs of Christmas. The Dogington Post along with our friends at Wellness Natural Pet Food have joined forces to introduce you to 12 needy dogs in hopes that they’ll finally get noticed…and maybe get a home for the holidays!

Meet Jessica!

Name of Shelter or Rescue Organization: Second Chance Rescue, New York

Weight: 45 pounds Age: 4 years How long in rescue:  Jessica was rescued in July of 2013 and has been in and out of boarding since September of 2014.

Jessica’s Story:

You can REALLY get to know Jessica by following her on her very own Facebook page: Jessica Needs a New Home! You’ll fall in love with her just like we have!

Jessica was pulled from the Manhattan Animal Care & Control shelter in July of 2013. She was under a year old, had a horrible case of demodectic mange and kennel cough, and had just had puppies. She stayed with an amazing foster for nine months, but she and the foster’s dog both needed to be only pets and having them in a small apartment together was not feasible.

Jessica was adopted in April of 2014 and, through no fault of her own, returned five months later. The couple that adopted her did not have much experience with dogs and were not willing to give Jessica the love and patience she needs (despite multiple visits with her and promises that they were committed to her).

Luckily she was sent to Orange County Barkers, where she grew in leaps and bounds. Jessica then went down to Virginia to Forever Home Rehabilitation Center in January of 2016 to further work on her manners, particularly around other dogs. She made great progress and after a couple of months (on April 14, 2016) was adopted at long last!! After 572 days in boarding, everyone thought she was finally home. Then, in July, she was returned because the family who adopted her had a toddler and a newborn baby and just “didn’t have time” for Jessica and she spent most of her day crated and craving attention. Unfortunately, Jessica’s happy ending didn’t last long and she was returned. This couple had begged and pleaded to adopt Jessica and said they were committed to her, but once the baby arrived that commitment went out the window.

Jessica was adopted again later in July, and returned within a few days because the landlord would not allow her to stay because she “looked too much like a pit.”

In August, her rescuers though Jessica had finally found the perfect home with a wonderful woman who seemed to understand that Jessica needed to be the only pet and could not socialize with other dogs. However, her boyfriend did not understand this and repeatedly let her interact with other dogs. For her own safety, Jessica was removed from the home. She went to a wonderful foster. She really thrived a quiet, calm home with consistency and direction. However, her foster has surgery and is not recovering as planned, so he cannot take her back. So Jessica is back to sitting and waiting in boarding. As you can see, she has been looking for a home for over 1200 days and in boarding for over 630. Dogs’ lives are so short, and it is heartbreaking to see Jessica spend so much of hers in boarding and without stability.

She is such an amazing dog, and so many people have failed her. Her rescuers are determined that her next home will be the right one.  They know she’ll thrive in a home where people understand her needs and can devote time and energy to her. She loves hanging out and cuddling, but is also a wonderful workout buddy!

Jessica Likes:

PEOPLE! Jessica also loves cuddling on the couch, going for jogs, playing fetch, playing with her toys, eating knuckle bones, working on her commands, hanging out watching movies and taking naps. Jessica is good with children but would do best in a home with older children (preferably teens) or no children so that she can be the center of attention. Younger visitors are fine, but she needs a family who can give her the time and energy she deserves. She needs a calm, stable environment where she can receive attention and affection. Jessica is even great at bath time and groomers are always impressed with how easily she lets them trim her nails.

Dislikes: 

Jessica must be the only pet. Other than that, she does not really have any dislikes, other than being left alone or crated for extended periods of time, since she loves people so much (but she is fine to be left alone while her person is at work).

Special Considerations: 

Jessica must be the only pet. She can be reactive with other dogs (not surprising given her rough start in life), so it is best that she be kept separate from them. However, when walking on the street, Jessica’s attention can be redirected with treats and she is very good at focusing on her walks and ignoring other dogs if the appropriate distance is kept. A fenced in yard would be preferable so that she can run off some of her energy! Although Jessica doesn’t really have any signs of mange anymore, her skin is still sensitive and she needs a human who will watch for any changes or irritation.

Jessica’s perfect family or home:

Jessica would do best with a person or people who are looking for some love and affection.  Jessica loves to cuddle and loves to be petted.  She even likes to be carried! She would be ideal for a person or couple who is a little older but still active and looking for a wonderful companion. Jessica really picks up on energy, and in the right environment with the right people she will be a calm, stable girl. She’ll even sit still for pictures wearing ridiculous costumes!

When she feels safe and has structure she thrives. She was previously in a home with a toddler and newborn where she spent much of her day crated but in view of the family and this just made her sad and frustrated. It is so unfair that Jessica can’t seem to catch a break and has been returned multiple times through no fault of her own. Everyone who meets her absolutely loves her and she will make the perfect family member for the right person or family.

Does Jessica sound like a perfect fit? Here’s how to begin the adoption process

Jessica is available through Second Chance Rescue. She is currently in boarding in Orange County, NY.  Check out her Facebook page: Jessica Needs a New Home, email [email protected], or reach out to Second Chance Rescue Dogs NYC if interested in adopting Jessica. An adoption application is available at http://nycsecondchancerescue.org/app-form/#j

Because Jessica has been let down by humans and adopters so many times before, a home check will be required. Jessica is spayed, up-to-date on vaccines, crate trained, and house trained.

Will Jessica finally find her forever with you?

The great folks at Wellness Natural Pet Food have a mission to help you provide your pet a healthy, happy, long life through the power of natural nutrition. With that goal in mind, they’re making a generous donation of premium pet food to each rescue that’s cared for these amazing dogs for so long. And, if you adopt one of our “12 Dogs of Christmas,” they’ll send you 3 months worth of food for your newest furry family member, too!

About Wellness:

At Wellness®, we do whatever it takes to create the healthiest foods for the pets that depend on us. Food feeds their souls, sustains their lives and protects their bodies. That’s why our diverse team of animal lovers, nutritionists and vets has only one mission: To help you provide your pet a healthy, happy, long life through the power of natural nutrition. For each of our recipes we never compromise—selecting nature’s finest ingredients and combining them in exact proportions to help support your pet’s health and wellbeing. Because we’re passionately picky from the first step to the last, we guarantee our products will deliver the Wellness Promise.