ANTRIM COUNTY — A Northern Michigan animal shelter is trying to find a fur-ever home for a dog that has been staying in their shelter for an unusual amount of time.
The dog was at the shelter for 282 days before being adopted out last Friday but was returned to the shelter on Monday.
Antrim County animal control officer David Bertinelli said Mr. Pants is a little confused about what happened but at least he’s in familiar surroundings with staff that love him dearly.
“He jumped right in his truck. He was pretty excited. We were all very excited. You know, he was excited, you know. And he was, like us, disappointed when he came back. But he’s adjusted. He knows us,” said Bertinelli.
Bertinelli said things just didn’t work out with his new owners.
“I guess the wife of the owner was walking Mr. Pants and she and Mr. Pants got the sight of a dog, and she got knocked over. And so she became scared of Mr. Pants,” said Bertinelli.
Bertinelli said Mr. Pants, a 3-year-old American Bulldog mix, was surrendered along with his mother May.
His mother was placed about a month ago.
Before Friday’s placement he had been at the shelter for 282 days, that’s unusually long, usually most dogs stay for 2 to 3 months tops before being placed.
“He’s 120 lbs. and he’s just a wonderful dog. He just needs the right environment, the right home, the person one is willing to put the effort in. He needs an environment where there’s a fenced in yard where he can let run free but still be under control,” said Bertinelli.
Mr. Pants is a gentle giant that has certain requirements that make him harder to place.
“He’s not good with other dogs, not good with small animals, he is great with people. He loves people, kids, [and] adults. He just wants to be your buddy like any dog does. He loves his ball, and he loves the pool,” said Bertinelli.
He wishes his new owners had given Mr. Pants more time to adjust. The shelter gives people up to two weeks to try an animal out.
“In a shelter environment, you don’t get the real personality of the dog or the cat. That takes a bit of time. And so being able to spend the time with that animal to get to know it and then you’ve got a lifelong companion, you know, someone who’s going to look forward to you coming home and wanting to be your buddy or your pal,” said Bertinelli.
Bertinelli said if you’re interested in Mr. Pants to contact the shelter. The adoption fees normally cost about a $100 but thanks to the generous donation of someone in the community, you can get Mr. Pants at no cost.
“He is an amazing dog. He wants to please. He’s a people pleaser. Sounds kind of hokey, but he is a people pleaser. He wants to be your buddy and wants to please you. He wants to learn. He has a huge, massive, massive potential as far as being able to be a well-behaved companion. And it’s just again, someone willing to put in a little time. And it doesn’t take a lot. It just takes commitment and consistency and working with him. He’s microchipped, he’s neutered, he’s vaccinated and he’s ready to go,” said Bertinelli.