Forming a bond

Sydney Moore’s love of fostering animals leads to a trio of adopted dogs.

Sydney Moore takes her dogs June Bug, Minnie Moo
and Theo on walks near Drake University.

When Sydney Moore’s coworker suggested she foster dogs, her top priority wasn’t to just provide a temporary home for stray or neglected pets — it was to cuddle.

“I selfishly wanted to play with the puppies,” she says.

Moore had no intention of adopting any dogs either. But before long, she joined the board of directors for the Hope Animal Rescue of Iowa, and “playing with
puppies” became finding homes for 500 animals a year and eventually adopting three dogs. Her pets enjoy walks around the Drake campus, where Moore is a
student majoring in occupational therapy.

Hope Animal Rescue is a no-kill, nonprofit shelter. The organization relies completely on donations, adoption fees and volunteers who provide temporary
care for dogs and cats. Moore fosters dogs whenever possible, and she is passionate about finding homes for the animals. Because of the numerous dog breeds, she feels there is a perfect dog to fit anyone’s lifestyle.

“There are so many animals in need who deserve loving homes,” she says. “It’s truly fulfilling to help animals in need find the perfect home where they will be spoiled and loved like a family member.”

Moore puppy-sat one weekend, and her dogs loved the guest.

“When the puppy came, the three dogs ganged up on her,” she says. “But my dogs quickly tire. The puppy went from one dog to the next with all her energy.”

Her dogs, named June Bug and Theo, are French bulldogs, and Minnie Moo is a Boston terrier. She received June Bug as a “second-hand” puppy from Oklahoma. Some French bulldogs can cost up to $3,000, but Moore’s adoption fee amounted to only a fraction of that.

As adults, the three dogs have formed a bond.

“They’ve formed an artificial pack and didn’t grow up with their siblings,” Moore says. “But they do bicker and fight — just like siblings do, usually fighting over
toys.”

Each dog presents unique challenges because of how it was raised. When Moore adopted Minnie Moo, it wasn’t house trained.

“As an adult dog, it’s not easy to retrain,” Moore says. “They all have learned behaviors that we’ve been working on.”

Theo has some separation anxiety and would make messes or tear up the home when she left. Training takes a lot of patience, which has paid off.

“We’ve made huge progress from when they were first adopted,” says Moore.

Moore says she is grateful for the local adoption community, which provides an amazing support system.

“It’s similar to having kids,” she says. “It’s not an individual struggle. Everyone who has dogs understands that people have these problems. But it’s easy to find someone to be in your corner to help.” ♦