08/25/2026
"I didn't know that I didn't know." That's what Dash's temporary (and amazing) momma said about her foster experience. She was referring to the decompression period that most dogs need after coming into a new home, especially after a tough life.
I don't usually photograph for dogs that are not affiliated with a rescue or shelter. In all honesty, the waters can get murky but Dash's story immediately spoke to me. Dash is a gorgeous, young boy who was barely given a chance. So many systems failed him and if he didn't have the advocate that he did, he would have been killed months ago....
Let's talk about Dash's journey because there are so many Dash's out there right now. Dash was brought to an animal welfare organization as a stray. His jaw was broken and so was his spirit. He didn't trust people. Who could blame him? He was on his second foster and when he showed fearful aggression. The organization told his foster mom that he was going to be euthanized and that she had one hour to decide if she was going to adopt him or not. Yes, things like this do happen. She knew Dash just needed time to decompress but she didn't actually know about decompression. She knew he had potential but she had no support and didn't know where to turn.
She was not given a decompression guide or behavioral training. Luckily, she was initially given medical support and it turned out that in addition to his broken jaw, he had a fractured leg and a rotting tooth that were all causing him extreme pain and to no one's surprise, irritability. This boy barely had a shot before his forced adoption.
In my opinion, Dash represents all of the problems with our current animal welfare system. It's not just one organization or one terrible owner. It is a system wide issue that is a spiderweb of complication, corruption and negligence. The laws for animal welfare are awful and are not always upheld or enforced. Some abusers are charged but rarely are they ever prosecuted. Most walk away unphased and unpunished. The funding for animals is almost nonexistent. The ones that need the money, don't have it and the ones that have it don't make the best of it. Rescues are working endlessly and overtime to save as many as they can. They are exhausted, in debt and running around the clock but they keep going. Picture trying to empty an ocean one teaspoon at a time. That is them. Our shelters are almost always full. There are no repercussions for animal abuse, backyard breeding or dog fighting. There are non-reputable trainers out there that do more harm than good. There is a lack of education in our community to teach children or society as a whole to be kind to animals. There are not enough affordable vaccination, spay and neuter clinics and breed bias is real. The people at the tip top who are in charge of creating and upholding animal welfare protection laws are not dedicated to the cause they were hired for or voted in to do. Dogs are seen as disposable and are literally found in garbages like yesterday's trash in our city. Strays are a constant. Animal control cannot rest and the laws (again) don't give animals the bare minimum to survive and tie many of the hands that want that do to help and are paid to do so. The ones that speak up are shunned, fired or fought.
Dash's mom spoke up. Dash's mom fought. She took him out of our broken system and did her best to fix him mentally, emotionally and physically. Dash almost died because our system and our society at large is broken and even though none of it was in his control, he was going to be punished for all of the people and systems that did him wrong. I've met so many Dash's over the years and I just couldn't say no to photographing his gorgeous face and sharing his story.
Dash is most likely a pittie mix- check mark
Dash was fearfully aggressive- check mark
Dash didn't present well for adoption- check mark
Dash didn't acclimate to his new foster home right away- check mark
Dash had medical issues- check mark
ENOUGH with the check marks....
I am so happy to finally say that after many months of rehabilitation, a reputable board and train, time and patience, Dash is finally ready for his furever home. His foster mom never meant to adopt him but when push came to shove, she couldn't let him die. She has worked tirelessly to figure out what makes Dash tick, the structure and guardrails that he needs to equate to the best type of home for him.
As it turns out, Dash is a little smarty pants and so eager to please. This is not uncommon for most rescues, by the way. In addition to being crate and house trained, he now knows....
- sit, down and heel
- he will go to his bed and will even stay there while his momma goes to a different floor of the house. He can't see her from his bed but he doesn't move an inch.
- he is a recall champion in the making
- he walks on a leash easily and sits on the grass, on command, to let people pass and he will wait until released
- he really enjoys other dogs on his walks and lives in harmony with his foster fur brother
Dash will probably always need slow introductions. This doesn't make him a bad dog. It makes him a dog that has been severely abused and needs to know you are good and will not cause him any harm. Once he trusts you, that's it; he will be your best friend. He loves to snuggle and lean in for pets and kisses. He is everything he was always meant to be and so much more because of one person and one person only. Sometimes, that's all it takes. Please share Dash's story. He deserves the rest of his years to be filled with nothing but love (and structure 😉)
Please reach out to Haley Catalano if you are interested in giving Dash his furever home. She is the ultimate dog mom and the one solely responsible for saving Dash's life.
