Meet: Milou the Minature Poodle!

Meet Milou! He's a dignified, mature and delightfully inquisitive little man.

And he was very nearly put down.

Milou was rescued from a local kill shelter. We were given mere hours to arrange for his survival. Otherwise, they were sorry, but "it would be too late".

Apparently Milou was dumped at the kill shelter by his owners for unstated reasons and subsequently failed the very fickle 'adoptability evaluation'.

At kill shelters all dogs are given an evaluation upon arrival. Dogs are screened for 'unadoptable personality traits' and are given a series of tests. The dog is rated from 1 to 10 on each test and the scores of each test are added up.

Based on this score it is decided whether a dog should live or die.

The test seems designed to make it easy for dogs to end up dead. It is highly subjective. It is unrealistic in terms of both the environment it is given in and the set up of each test. And the 1 to 10 rating system means you're damned if you do and damned if you don't.

In a typical test, a dog has just been brought into the facility. She has lost her familiar surroundings, humans and stability. She is in a concrete warehouse that is loud and filthy. She is housed in close proximity to unknown dogs, who she is unable to see or socialize with. She is only taken out of her very small cage once a day so that it can be hosed down. She doesn't know if it's night or day; there is no natural light and the artificial lights are kept on 24 hours.

Then, one day, she's taken out and brought to a room with a strange human. The human is acting extremely. She's sticking plastic hands in the dog's face and food. Poking her in the body. Shouting at her. Then the human flips completely and starts baby talking her and gently petting her. Then just as quickly she starts pulling on the dog's ears and tail. Throwing toys in her face and pretend crying. All in less than 10 minutes, then it is done.

How would your dog react to this stressful situation?

How would you react to this?

Would you be your normal self?

The test sets a dog up for failure and doesn't give an accurate picture of a dog's temperament and personality. The exact thing the test was set up to do.

So Milou failed the test, like the majority of the dogs do.

But luckily he passed the Sophie's Dog adoption evaluation:

Is he a dog: check!

Is he abandoned, homeless or unwanted: check!

Does he deserve a second chance? Of course! They all do!

Milou is in fact a great dog. He knows all of the french commands, even "dance"! He is quiet and clean in the house. He likes other dogs. Walks very well on the leash. And is an amazing companion.

He greets you at the door and couldn't be happier to see you! He is content and dreamy while sleeping by your side or on your lap. And he'll walk loyally by your side for the rest of your life.

Milou has suffered abuse and is being gently desensitized so that he isn't afraid to let go of his resources or perceived comfort.

He's doing so great and is becoming more and more comfortable with his new life.

Thank goodness he got this second chance.