Mr. Scruffy McDuffy’s Adoption Story
Mr. Scruffy McDuffy’s Adoption Story
From Discarded to Cherished, Mr. Scruffy McDuffy Gets a Second Chance
Kristy and Michael contacted Animal Saints Rescue Society last winter, months after their beloved dog Jordey died. Once they spoke with Cynthia, Animal Saints Rescue Society’s head director, they decided they wanted to only adopt through them and no other rescue group. They were willing to wait until Animal Saints found an ideal match for them. This spring, it happened.
Mr. Scruffy McDuffy was found as a stray on the side of the road in New York. A good Samaritan took him into a local shelter but did not realize they euthanized due to lack of space. Mr. McDuffy was scheduled to be killed. Thankfully, this reality was brought to the attention of Animal Saints Rescue Society’s volunteers. They were able to get him out safely on the day he was supposed to be euthanized.
Young one year old Scruffy needed to be neutered, vaccinated, and receive help with his cherry eye. Animal Saints had all of this done for him at their partnering animal hospital, then fostered him for awhile so they could get to know him better. This process, though time intensive and more expensive for the rescue, helps find ideal matches for the dogs they save.
Mr. Scruffy McDuffy’s photograph, taken just after
Animal Saints Rescue Society agreed to help him.
Adopting Versus Purchasing
Mr. Scruffy McDuffy looks on
as Kristy and Michael make his adoption official.
Kristy and Michael share their thoughts about why adopting rescued dogs is so important. “We have heard people say with a rescue dog, they don’t know what type of personality they will have. They won’t know the history. You will not know the personality you get from any dog, even when buying. A dog’s personality is largely based on the people who take care of him and how he is being treated. There is no greater love than the love of a rescue dog. They know how bad life can be, and they are so thankful that they now know how great life can be.”
Training for Mr. Scruffy McDuffy
Animal Saints Rescue Society requires positive reinforcement training classes with a certified, professional dog trainer for the majority of their adoptions. Kristy and Michael learned through their experience how beneficial it is and that it is worth the time and effort. Kristy describes, “The director of Animal Saints spoke to us about the benefits of working with a trainer. We found a wonderful, patient, trainer who has a lot of experience working with rescue dogs. She came to our house to do a number of the training sessions and met us at a park to work on his anxieties with dogs and people. It is important to find someone who is able to read your dog and know why he reacts the way he does to a certain situation. They will know he isn’t being stubborn but he has high anxiety in that situation due to something he experienced in the past.”
Mr. McDuffy learns how to look to his people for reassurance and confidence when he encounters something that frightens him, rather than reacting and barking.
Professional trainers help even the most experienced adopters learn how to better read their Animal Saints. This sets everyone up for success. The trainers teach the dogs and their humans foundational skills to give everyone confidence as they head out into the world together.
Professional and certified trainers who have experience helping dogs with unknown past traumas are a key part of successful transitions. This sets them up for smoother transitions into their lifetime families.
Our Animal Saints Rescue Society Experience
Mr. Scruffy McDuffy meeting Michael and Kristy for the first time.
A special spot was chosen for them to meet – a park where they used to walk their dog Jordey.
Kristy describes their experience with heartfelt emotion. “Scruffy adopted us. It is very clear by looking at Animal Saint’s website how much they care for the animals that they have saved. You can feel their love for all things great and small by the care they put into finding them the perfect match through all the vetting they do during the application process.
We would never change anything we have done throughout the adoption period and if asked again today, or in 10 years or 30 years, we would do it all over again and bring Scruffy McDuffy into our home. He teaches us how to be resilient, how to love when your life has not been all things happy. And how it feels to be saved — because that is what the three of us have experienced together.
We thank Animal Saints Rescue Society for how much compassion and care they have for each of the Animal Saints they save. We also thank them for all that they do on a daily basis to save and advocate for those who have no voice.
We thank them for saving the three of us and making our family whole again.”
