From Rescue to Right-Hand Dog: Odie’s Journey from Shelter to Paws N’ Play
Odie at Paws N’ Play in Sacramento, CA
I wasn’t planning to adopt a dog.
I wasn’t even planning to foster.
But then came Odie.
The Unexpected Spark
He came in like so many others—rescued by ShepHeroes, our trusted rescue partner.
Eileen, who has brought so many deserving dogs through our doors, told me his story.
Nothing that stood out at first… until I met him.
He was floofy, filthy, and full of potential.
Covered in shelter funk and tangles, he looked like a mess—but a lovable one.
And I couldn’t wait to give him the full de-shedding spa experience with our high-pressure wash station.
As I scrubbed away the grime, I listened to his story:
Odie (then called Jakab) had been a frequent flyer at animal control in Colusa, CA—not because he was unwanted, but because his former home didn’t have a secure fence.
He’d go on adventures and end up checked back into the shelter.
Eventually, his family decided not to reclaim him.
Colusa County Animal Control kept him for a bit, until UC Davis pulled him for their colony program—a testament to just how sweet and stable his temperament was.
He passed every handling test like a pro:
“Need to draw blood? Go ahead, take my arm.”
But he didn’t thrive in a kennel setting. He got overstimulated, bounced with excitement, and did these hilarious full-body-check jumps that could overwhelm people unfamiliar with shepherd enthusiasm.
So, he was returned to Colusa.
That’s when ShepHeroes stepped in—this time to pull him for adoption placement.
🛁 The Bath That Changed Everything
ShepHeroes brought him to Paws N’ Play for a bath—just a basic intake cleanup.
And that’s when everything changed for me.
I don’t think I’ve ever been that close to a dog’s face that quickly.
I squished my cheeks next to his.
He just looked at me like, “Hi. I love you. Do you love me?”
And I did.
I didn’t even realize it at the time.
We washed.
We blow-dried.
We brushed.
It was magic.
He went home with Eileen that night.
But the next day, he came back—and I felt something I’ve never felt before:
I wanted to foster him.
That’s not something I do lightly.
I have a 13-year-old senior dog, my heart and soul.
And I always tell clients: “Be careful bringing in a new dog when your old one is aging.”
But this was different.
Odie Moves In
I brought Odie home.
He woke up in his crate the next morning with that goofy shepherd grin, and I melted.
Charles, my 13-year-old senior, didn't exactly roll out the welcome mat… but he didn’t throw him out either.
Their relationship?
Let’s just say it’s built on mutual avoidance and well-defined boundaries.
As long as Odie doesn’t mess with Charles’s food or toys, we’re good.
It wasn’t love. It was tolerance. And that, my friends, is a win.
But for me—there was a spark.
Something about this giant goofball just fit.
He’s Not the Sharpest Crayon, But He’s the Brightest
Odie’s not going to win a doggy IQ test.
He’s kind of… dumb. In the most lovable, joyful, clownish way.
🧠 “Working on one brain cell.”
🖍 “Only the bright crayons in the box.”
🌈 “Missing a few… but still a full rainbow.”
He is joy in dog form.
He has no idea where my feet are—
which means I’m currently rocking mid-life bruises from an 80-pound shepherd.
But I wouldn’t change it for anything.
Odie the Trainer’s Dog
I work with a lot of dogs.
And most of them come with behavior challenges. That’s the job.
But Odie?
He’s naturally good in ways I rarely see.
He’s:
Amazing with puppies
Gentle with smaller dogs
Open-hearted with everyone he meets - dogs, people, cats and kids
He will be my right-hand guy at work—helping other dogs build confidence, learn social skills, and feel safe.
And my job?
To help him flourish.
🖊 Today, I Sign the Papers
Yes, he’s already been to my chiropractor.
Yes, he’s met the rehab team at Thrive.
Yes, he’s been part of my day-to-day life.
But today, it becomes official.
I’m adopting Odie.
💬 Final Thoughts
Adopting Odie wasn’t in the plan.
But life’s best things rarely are.
And while I still feel guilt (How do you love a new dog when your soul dog is aging?),
I’m learning.
I’m learning how to love two dogs.
I’m learning how to make room for joy.
I’m learning what it means to feel dog-complete.
Welcome home, Odie.
You rainbow-bright, face-smushing, foot-bruising, heart-melting boy.
Meet Odie — a German Shepherd rescued through ShepHeroes and now the official sidekick of a Sacramento-based dog trainer at Paws N’ Play.
This video captures his journey from dirty and anxious to confident, joyful, and deeply bonded with his new human. Watch how a bath, a spark, and a little trust changed everything.
📍 Filmed at Paws N’ Play, a canine community center in Sacramento, CA offering dog training, enrichment-based boarding, and rescue support.