Top 10 Happy Tails of 2022: Meet Chico!

As 2022 comes to a close, we're taking a look back at all of the lives that we’ve saved thanks to your support. Today begins our Top 10 Happy Tails of 2022 — each story is remarkable in their own way and are examples of the heart of our Muddy Paws Pack community. We hope you enjoy reading them as much as we’ve loved all of these special pups.

Our Happy Tail of the day is handsome Chico!

When Chico came to us in March, he proved to be a bit of a challenge to place. The city’s busy environment exacerbated his leash frustration, which made it difficult for Chico and his fosters to go on regular walks.

As months in foster came and went, Chico worked with several trainers, and became the best boy he could be in the city environment. Indoors, Chico perfected the skills that would translate into any home, aced puzzle toys and several commands, but he would still find being outside overwhelming. As we struggled to find a foster home for Chico outside of NYC where we knew he would be happiest, we posted him on our Instagram Stories with the hopes that his adorable face would compel someone new to apply to foster him–and it worked!

“I’ve been following Muddy Paws for years, and for some reason when I saw Chico’s face, I felt a strong urge to foster him,” said Gabriela, Chico’s newest foster. We’re so glad she went with her gut, and we know she is too.

Chico made his way out to the ‘burbs to stay with Gabriela and work on his leash skills in a calmer environment. “When Chico arrived, it wasn’t love at first sight. He felt like a stranger, and his chaotic energy made me think we would only foster him for a very short time. But days went by, and we saw how sweet of a dog he is–truly unexpected!”

“He was always a challenging dog–very reactive to other dogs, kids, and strangers who got too close to him,” remembers Gabriela. So, we reached out to our training partners at Lead Your K9 to enroll Chico into their five-week board and train program.

So off to PA he went, in the original hopes he would come back and be more appealing to adopters with professional training under his belt. “We spoke of Chico everyday, wondering what he was doing and how he was feeling. We would see photos posted by the training team and our hearts would ache! Then we went to visit… and that was all it took. It became clear that we are his family.”

When Chico came back home, it wasn’t as a foster, but as an officially adopted pup!

“Chico melts our hearts multiple times a day. He still has challenges, but our bond grows stronger every day and so does his confidence and trust. He came to us at a very sensitive time, and he is the thing that is keeping us up. Chico not only brings fun and happiness to our days, but also keeps us smiling against all odds.”

Turns out that sometimes…goodbye isn’t always the goal.