Georgia Stray Spent A Month Behind A Chain-Link Fence With One Detail Nobody Expected
When a muscular stray dog from Georgia arrived in New York, his foster mom expected him to need time to decompress. Instead, he immediately showed his true colors.
A Call For Help
In Georgia, a stray dog had been lingering near someone’s house for about two weeks.
Unsure of what to do, the residents finally called local animal control to help the wandering pup.
Animal control officers arrived and safely picked him up, bringing him to the local shelter.
For a month, the dog waited in the shelter, hoping for a second chance.
The Journey North
His luck changed when he was selected for a transport up to New York.
Carlin, a volunteer with Waldo’s Rescue Pen, a New York foster-based rescue organization, was ready to help.
On the day of the transport, Carlin picked him up, expecting to just be his temporary foster mom.
She had no idea how quickly this dog was going to change her life.
An Unexpected Decompression
Usually, when a dog arrives in a new environment, they need a few days to decompress before their true personality emerges.
Carlin was prepared to give him all the time and space he needed to feel safe.
However, this dog had a different timeline in mind.
Within just a few hours of arriving at her home, he was already completely relaxed.
Feeling The Love
He didn’t just relax; he slept on his back with his legs stretched up really high, a sign of ultimate comfort.
“I feel like it was the first time he ever truly felt love and felt like he was a part of something,” Carlin shared.
Watching him settle in so quickly was a moving experience for everyone.
Her entire family kept getting emotional just watching him finally feel at home.
A Gentle Giant
Despite his past as a stray, his behavior was remarkably gentle and loving.
When he visits his “nana and grandpa,” he climbs up just wanting to hug them.
Even Carlin’s two-year-old niece was crawling all over him, and he took it all in stride.
“I can’t imagine he was a stray all of his life. He’s so well-behaved,” Carlin noted, guessing he must have lived indoors during his first year.
A Fitting Name
Carlin named him Norman, a name that perfectly suited his unique vibe.
When people first hear his name, they often laugh.
But once they meet him, they immediately understand.
“Oh, that makes so much sense,” they tell her, seeing his sweet, slightly goofy demeanor.
The Muscular Mystery
Health-wise, Norman was in great shape, but his physique was quite surprising.
Carlin joked that he must have been “doing pull-ups in the shelter for the month” because he was so incredibly muscular.
His impressive build catches the eye of almost everyone they pass.
People on the street frequently stop to ask, “How did you get your dog to be so muscular?”
A Unique Mix
Curious about his background, Carlin decided to get a DNA test for Norman.
When the results came back, they revealed a surprising and random mix of breeds.
He is 32% American Staffordshire Terrier, mixed with Border Collie, Staffordshire Bull Terrier, American Pit Bull Terrier, Bullmastiff, and Presa Canario.
“He’s a mishmash of a million things,” Carlin laughed, noting it was a very weird but wonderful combination.
A Foster Fail
It didn’t take long for Carlin to realize she couldn’t let Norman go.
Just two weeks after picking him up from the transport, she submitted the paperwork.
She officially adopted him, turning her foster dog into a permanent family member.
Their bond had grown too strong to break.
Grateful Every Day
Today, Carlin and Norman share an incredible bond.
Whether she’s gone for 30 seconds or 5 hours, Norman greets her as if they’ve been apart for weeks.
He showers her with hugs and kisses, his tail wagging so hard it almost hurts.
“I think he’s just so grateful to be in a happy, safe place,” Carlin said, knowing she found the perfect companion.
