During Brownie’s two-week stay with the Analore family, a shelter dog who had never experienced the comforts of a home, an extraordinary bond began to form. Brownie’s initial days were filled with fear and uncertainty, as he grappled with the unfamiliar environment. Molly Analore shared her observations, saying, “He was terrified at first. He didn’t know what to do.”
Having faced disappointment with four adoption attempts at a New Mexico shelter, Brownie was given a second chance at a Colorado shelter. However, he needed a temporary place to stay before transportation could be arranged, which is when the Analore family stepped in to provide him with foster care.
The first few days were a learning curve for Brownie as he adapted to the routines of being a house-trained dog. Howe
ver, something remarkable happened as he began to realize that he was safe and surrounded by love. In just a few days, Brownie started communicating his needs to his new family.
Molly Analore explained, “Eventually he would alert me if he had to go to the bathroom. He would sit by the door and cry.” Analore quickly picked up on Brownie’s cues for everyday activities.
But one night, Brownie displayed an entirely unexpected behavior. Instead of signaling that he needed assistance, the perceptive pup seemed to be indicating that Analore needed help herself.
Shortly before fostering Brownie, Analore had been dealing with episodes of fainting and dizziness. One evening, she started feeling unwell, and Brownie, usually not prone to cuddling, responded immediately.
“He’s not big on cuddling a lot, but he just jumped right on my couch, sat next to me and started cuddling me,” Analore recalled. “I thought, ‘That’s a little strange,’ but then didn’t think anything else of it.”
Analore and Brownie cuddled for a while before she decided to lie down in bed, still feeling sick. Brownie, who typically maintained some distance, refused to leave her side.
“When I went to bed, he was outside my door screaming his head off, scratching at the door and headbutting the door,” Analore said. “That wasn’t normal for him. It was almost like he was trying to say, ‘Something’s wrong, let me in now.'”
Puzzled by Brownie’s behavior, Analore got up from bed and allowed her vigilant foster pup into the bedroom. He promptly jumped onto her bed, sat next to her with his head on her chest, and once her heart stopped racing and she felt better, he got up and left.
Analore emphasized that Brownie had never exhibited such behavior before, and as soon as her fainting spell passed, he stopped.
“He just did it all on his own,” Analore marveled. “He’s such a good boy.”
After spending two weeks with the Analore family, Brownie continued on to his final shelter as initially planned. He is currently in foster care with his new shelter, but the Analore family is determined to bring him back home for good.
“A dog like that only comes around once in a lifetime,” Analore expressed. “The connection was so strong.”