Adoption update: Small dog is the heart of her home

It’s called puppy bed toss, and it goes something like this: After the bed is freshly made, Eleanor eagerly approaches Mark, who picks her up and gently tosses the little dog onto the mattress. As soon as she makes her soft landing, Eleanor bolts back to Mark with her tiny tail wagging wildly, asking to do it again.

Puppy bed toss has been Eleanor’s favorite game since Mark Kiefer and his family first brought her home two years ago. Over that time, Eleanor has gone from a timid pup to a happy and loyal pack member whom they can’t imagine life without.

Before she was bouncing on beds, Eleanor was living in a home that had too many dogs. After being taken to a county shelter, she came to the Best Friends Pet Adoption Center in Los Angeles, where staff would find her a new home where she could be the center of attention. Best Friends’ goal is for all shelters to reach no-kill, and that means working together with other animal welfare organizations to save pets’ lives, giving each one what they need to move out of the shelter and into a happy new life.

When Eleanor first arrived at Best Friends, the 1-year-old pup was scared of everything. She kept her ears flattened against her head and tried to make herself invisible whenever a staff member or volunteer came to take her for a walk. But time in foster care helped Eleanor turn a corner. Once she had time to build trust, her true personality began to shine. Behind that shy exterior was a playful pup who couldn’t get enough affection.

[Loving a shy dog: An adopter’s story]

A few weeks later, Eleanor returned to the pet adoption center. There, she met Mark and his family, who were looking for a companion for their small dog, a sweet senior named Ike. They saw something special in the little black-and-tan pup and decided to adopt her.

Eleanor quickly adjusted to life in her new home. From solving food puzzles to running laps around the yard, she embraced every new experience — because she was doing it with people she trusted.

Two years later, Eleanor is completely at ease at home and knows the routine by heart. Mark works from home, and Eleanor spends much of her day snoozing in one of the comfy dog beds in his office. But before long, it’s time for the most important meeting on his calendar: playtime. Every day at precisely 4:30 p.m., Eleanor comes right up to Mark and starts pawing at him to play.

[Helping a shy dog spice up his social life]

“She’s far from shy,” says Mark. “She has a habit of batting you on your chin with her paw when she wants your undivided attention.”

At 3 years old, Eleanor still has plenty of puppy energy. When she knows it’s time for a walk, she starts tippy-tapping her toes with excitement. The dog who once hid in her kennel when it was time to go for a walk now picks up her leash and brings it over to Mark herself.

As Eleanor’s confidence has grown, so has her devotion to her people. Her family set out to give her the best life possible, but they couldn’t have imagined how much she’d give them in return. Mark recently broke his leg and spent hours on the couch while recovering. Eleanor never left his side, watching over him like a furry little nurse and providing the comfort and companionship he needed.

One of Eleanor’s strongest bonds is the one she shares with Ike, who is now about 17. What started as a cuddle here and there has turned into full-on best friendship. When Ike was at a recent vet appointment, a concerned Eleanor waited vigilantly outside the exam room until he was done. Mark is happy to report that both pups are in good health.

Although Ike prefers slower strolls these days, he doesn’t mind when Eleanor gets the zoomies. Just the other day, Ike was relaxing on the edge of the bed when Eleanor decided to jump up. Mark was sure she would land on top of Ike, but no — she sailed right over him. (It must be all the practice she gets from puppy bed toss.)

When Eleanor first came home, everything was new and exciting. Now it's warm and familiar, like she's always been part of the family. But there are still plenty of new things to discover, such as her love of peanut butter. (Sure, it takes forever to eat, but it’s worth it.)

With her people, her canine pal, and a big jar of peanut butter, Eleanor is living a life filled with the joy and love that every dog deserves.

Our goal at Best Friends is to support all animal shelters in the U.S. in reaching no-kill. No-kill means saving every dog and cat in a shelter who can be saved, accounting for community safety and good quality of life for pets. 

Shelter staff can’t do it alone. Saving animals in shelters is everyone’s responsibility, and it takes support and participation from the community. No-kill is possible when we work together thoughtfully, honestly, and collaboratively.