Categories: News

Man Visits Shelter Dog Every Day for 2 Months to Earn Her Trust Before Fostering Her

Joe Rotunda and Alva (tawny) screengrap from KVUE ABC – fair use

A man in Austin has fallen head over heels for a dog that’s heels over heads. Alva the dog has wobbler syndrome, but that didn’t stop Joe Rotunda from knowing they were meant to be together.

Arriving at Austin Pets Alive! in November 2020 at just 5 months old, Alva was flea-ridden, malnourished, and in need of a helping paw. She had a hard time standing and walking on account of the syndrome.

After almost 24 months of shelter stays and foster care, the rigors of her life with wobblers and multiple owners had made her self-protective, territorial, and shy.

Mr. Rotunda first saw Alva in APA’s Instagram and felt compelled to take action to help her.

“I just looked at her and said, ‘I bet everyone has given up on you,'” Rotunda allegedly told APA! ‘I won’t do it to you. ‘”

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Nor did he, but instead visited her at APA every single day for two months to earn her trust in the hopes he could welcome her into his home for foster care. APA’s staff realized that Alva could be helped by providing her with more accommodation for the motor instabilities she had, similar to Parkinson’s, as well as a form of physical therapy.

Eventually Rotunda got what he wished for, and Alva was able to move in with him and his other dog whom she also made friends with.

He equipped his home with ramps, padded corners and other features to make sure she was in a comfortable environment.

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“Alva gave me a gift every time I saw her, and that was: inspiration. Rotunda said to APA that it is her infectious spirit, her shining, and her ability to overcome any obstacle. “She does not know she is different.”

WATCH the video below from KYUE…

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Julia Powell

Julia is a founder of PetsLifeGuide and an author of articles about German Shorhaired Pointers and accessories for them. She is a specialist about this breed since 2002

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