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Puppy mills are the bane of our existence, and dogs like Harper are the reason why 😡
Just 3-4 years old, she is one of the lucky ones actually. She got out young and without any major health issues, but the psychological scars of living in a cage with no positive human interaction are lasting. Her only joy in life came from her doggie companions, and with other dogs she’s a happy normal playful pup and a lot of fun. But she doesn’t see humans as a source of joy or comfort at this point. She knows us as a source of food and something that opens doors and gates for her, and she looks happy to see us and will come to us for food or run out happily in the fenced yard with all the other dogs when let out. But she always tries to stay just out of reach and hasn’t learned to enjoy handling or petting just yet. Once you “catch” her she gives in and allows it, and starts to relax a bit more the longer you hold her. But she will likely always be skittish and not a lap dog, or may take years to really bond to someone.
Harper’s paperwork labeled her as a schnauzer or schnoodle, but we don’t see it. She looks more like a Havanese or Lhasa-poo maybe? With a long body and short legs, about 15lbs full grown, spayed and updated on shots, and a non-shedding wavy coat, and soulful eyes, she’s a beautiful girl who lost her chance at being a carefree family pet thanks to human greed.
Dogs like Harper are very special to us and require special homes. It’s not about molding them into what people want them to be, but rather meeting them on their terms and figuring out how to make them as happy as possible. She is happy living in a “pack” and definitely needs at least one other doggie friend in the household to learn from, play with, and follow. She’s a homebody who may never really enjoy walks and outings, and thrives on a consistent routine. She will be a major flight risk always if she ever gets loose especially in an unfamiliar place so extra care and paranoia is necessary to make sure that doesn’t happen, and she will go home with a secure martingale collar and air tag. Email njwoof@cs.com to meet Harper in Northern NJ if you have some dogs who would like to take her under their wing and show her how to be happy.
Since COVID-19, we are no longer holding our Sunday adoption events until further notice, but we are scheduling meet and greet appointments with a specific dog or dogs at our meeting spots in Northern NJ. To streamline adoptions, all communication before, during, and after the adoption process is done through email only: we have limited volunteers able to return phone calls. Submit an application from our website www.secondchance.petfinder.com to speed up the adoption process and email any questions to us at njwoof@cs.com. Please check your email regularly for next steps. All our dogs reside in foster care in Northern NJ until adoption and we do not have a central shelter location. We are a small all-volunteer organization focused on rescuing local dogs from area shelters, as well as accepting some surrenders and puppy mill rescues.
Puppy mills are the bane of our existence, and dogs like Harper are the reason why 😡
Just 3-4 years old, she is one of the lucky ones actually. She got out young and without any major health issues, but the psychological scars of living in a cage with no positive human interaction are lasting. Her only joy in life came from her doggie companions, and with other dogs she’s a happy normal playful pup and a lot of fun. But she doesn’t see humans as a source of joy or comfort at this point. She knows us as a source of food and something that opens doors and gates for her, and she looks happy to see us and will come to us for food or run out happily in the fenced yard with all the other dogs when let out. But she always tries to stay just out of reach and hasn’t learned to enjoy handling or petting just yet. Once you “catch” her she gives in and allows it, and starts to relax a bit more the longer you hold her. But she will likely always be skittish and not a lap dog, or may take years to really bond to someone.
Harper’s paperwork labeled her as a schnauzer or schnoodle, but we don’t see it. She looks more like a Havanese or Lhasa-poo maybe? With a long body and short legs, about 15lbs full grown, spayed and updated on shots, and a non-shedding wavy coat, and soulful eyes, she’s a beautiful girl who lost her chance at being a carefree family pet thanks to human greed.
Dogs like Harper are very special to us and require special homes. It’s not about molding them into what people want them to be, but rather meeting them on their terms and figuring out how to make them as happy as possible. She is happy living in a “pack” and definitely needs at least one other doggie friend in the household to learn from, play with, and follow. She’s a homebody who may never really enjoy walks and outings, and thrives on a consistent routine. She will be a major flight risk always if she ever gets loose especially in an unfamiliar place so extra care and paranoia is necessary to make sure that doesn’t happen, and she will go home with a secure martingale collar and air tag. Email njwoof@cs.com to meet Harper in Northern NJ if you have some dogs who would like to take her under their wing and show her how to be happy.
Since COVID-19, we are no longer holding our Sunday adoption events until further notice, but we are scheduling meet and greet appointments with a specific dog or dogs at our meeting spots in Northern NJ. To streamline adoptions, all communication before, during, and after the adoption process is done through email only: we have limited volunteers able to return phone calls. Submit an application from our website www.secondchance.petfinder.com to speed up the adoption process and email any questions to us at njwoof@cs.com. Please check your email regularly for next steps. All our dogs reside in foster care in Northern NJ until adoption and we do not have a central shelter location. We are a small all-volunteer organization focused on rescuing local dogs from area shelters, as well as accepting some surrenders and puppy mill rescues.
We request that adopters fill out a pre-adoption application either in person at our adoption day or through our website www.secondchance.petfinder.com. This helps us make sure the animal's personality is a good match for your household. Adoption fees vary according to the dog's age, breed, adoptability, and how much we have had to spend in vet bill on them. Adopters sign a contract at the time of adoption, and the animal must come back to us if they do not work out in the home.
We request that adopters fill out a pre-adoption application either in person at our adoption day or through our website www.secondchance.petfinder.com. This helps us make sure the animal's personality is a good match for your household. Adoption fees vary according to the dog's age, breed, adoptability, and how much we have had to spend in vet bill on them. Adopters sign a contract at the time of adoption, and the animal must come back to us if they do not work out in the home.
Every Sunday at the Animal Clinic of Morris Plains from 12:30 to 3pm at 3009 Route 10 East in Morris Plains, NJ 07950. Call us at 973-208-0191 or during the adoption at 973-366-2568 for more info.
Every Sunday at the Animal Clinic of Morris Plains from 12:30 to 3pm at 3009 Route 10 East in Morris Plains, NJ 07950. Call us at 973-208-0191 or during the adoption at 973-366-2568 for more info.
More about this rescue
We a small group of volunteers dedicated to rescuing as many homeless dogs as we can and keeping them happy and healthy in foster homes until they are adopted.
We a small group of volunteers dedicated to rescuing as many homeless dogs as we can and keeping them happy and healthy in foster homes until they are adopted.
