Lauren and Piper

Piper is such a loving girl who just wants to give love and be loved in return. She appreciates everything done for her and shows that by always licking Lauren’s hand, even as she was scraping off the caked-on dirt from her ears.

In September 2020, when many families were still acclimating to their ‘Pandemic Puppies’, Lauren was grieving the loss of her long time canine companion, Maisy, who passed away suddenly and unexpectedly. As she said goodbye, Lauren promised Maisy that she would rescue another in her honor. After donating many of Maisy’s things for the animals at the East Orange Animal Shelter, it just seemed fitting for her first foster animal to come from there.

In January 2021, CoCo Chanel was brought to the shelter as a stray and shared by East Orange Animal Alliance via Facebook. When Lauren came across our plea to rescue, there was something about CoCo that kept pulling her back to the post. She reached out to EOAA with her interest in fostering and we connected her with one of our many rescue partners, Wise Animal Rescue.

WISE Animal Rescue is a foster-based rescue organization, whose mission is to make a difference in the local communities of New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania & Connecticut areas. WISE invests time and energy into raising awareness, education, and advocacy on behalf of neglected, surrendered, and abandoned dogs. Specifically, they are committed to advocating for and educating about dogs categorized as bully breed mixes that suffer an undeserved negative image resulting in them facing unwarranted and unjust prejudice. Wise has welcomed many East Orange Animal Shelter dogs into their organization over the past year, and we are very grateful for our partnership with them.

WISE Adoption/Foster Coordinator, Kristina, and her rescue team were immediately smitten upon meeting Coco: “She was so sweet, affectionate, and loved being pet.” WISE was able to welcome Coco into their program because Lauren stepped up as a foster! This new beginning for CoCo inspired her new name, ‘Piper’, after Kristina’s own dog, Piper, as they have similar upbeat and happy dispositions.

It turned out that this happy girl was older and much thinner than initially thought, but from the moment she walked into Lauren’s house, Piper was promised she would never go hungry again and would always be loved. Starting with a fresh sponge bath, Piper cozied up with Maisy’s old sweater and bed – Lauren on the couch – where the pair would sleep for the first two nights.

Piper had obviously been loved at some point – she knows her commands, doesn’t jump up on the counter, or on Lauren, and she never barks. Piper is such a loving girl who just wants to give love and be loved in return. She appreciates everything done for her and shows that by always licking Lauren’s hand, even as she was scraping off the caked-on dirt from her ears. As a senior dog, Piper’s hearing wasn’t the best so Lauren began teaching her sign language. Through Piper getting this compassionate one on time away from the shelter, rescue groups are better able to match them into their permanent homes. Whether it’s medical respite or the comfort of a warm and stress-free environment, the love provided by a temporary foster helps build confidence and prepare a pet to be adopted.

WISE president, Tiziana sends Lauren the adoption applications to help in the process of finding the family that will be the best match. Knowing that she has some say in who will eventually become Piper’s permanent home makes it easier for Lauren to let her go when the time comes. 

Piper still awaits her forever home. If you are interested in adopting this sweet girl, or would like to join the WISE foster program, please visit their foster application page.