Lessons I’ve Learned From Other People’s Pets: Ce & Fi
Have you ever met a dog that seems just a little “too much”? Not beyond hope, no one ever is, but beyond what most people feel equipped to take on. That was Ce. Ce had a reputation at MACC: adored but easily overstimulated. Every sound, every new experience, every single day felt like a sensory overload. Dogs like Ce are the ones we try to get into foster homes quickly, because they’re the most vulnerable to Shelter Stress.
Shelter Stress (sometimes called Kennel Crazy) is the emotional and physical strain animals often experience in shelters. Even in the best facilities (and trust me, MACC is one of the better ones), the noise, constant movement, strange smells, and lack of personal space can overwhelm animals. For some, it shows up as pacing, barking, or jumping. Others shut down completely. For already sensitive dogs like Ce, the stress can hit even harder. The bright side? With stability, patience, love, and time, most pets bounce back.
Fi greets me with her favorite toy <3
Enter Fi. Ce’s luck changed when he landed a foster home with a built-in role model: Fi. Described by her mom as “everyone’s FAVORITE girl”, Fi is an 70 lb land hippo with a heart of gold and a couple creaky legs tht don’t work quite as well as they used to. From the very first meeting, Ce was smitten. With me, tug-of-war meant he nearly pulled my arm from its socket. With Fi, he played gently, letting her waddle around in triumph after every win while he zoomed circles around her. For a dog who couldn’t regulate his own energy, this was huge.
Ce & Fi share a bed chewing on their own toys.
Ce’s foster (now forever) family poured months of patience into his care. Walks that once felt impossible became not only manageable but enjoyable. His kennel, once a place of fear, has turned into a safe haven. He still plays rough, sure, but now he litens when told “enough” (well, most of the time).
He’s still Ce, goofy, loving, snuggly, but he’s also a calmer, more confident version of himself.
Ce & Fi share a tug.
Ce and Fi, along with their humans, have taught me that devotion changes everything. Hope isn’t naive, it’s necessary. With time, structure, and love, “too much” becomes “just right”. No one is beyond hope. And everyone deserves the chance to become their best self.