Smokey didn’t get along with his family. According to them, he was aggressive, and he won’t let anyone touch him. So they left him at a kill shelter.
Marley Mutt’s Dog Rescue eyed Smokey as the perfect candidate for the Pawsitive Change program, bringing together inmates from the California State Prison and dogs from kill shelters for rehabilitation. This program aimed to teach training skills to the inmates and, at the same time, save dogs from kill shelters.
The Pawsitive Change program matched Jason and Smokey. As soon as they met, Smokey was instantly sensitive to Jason’s emotions. What Jason did was show him positive vibes. The dog never showed aggression towards him.
Their bond created a change in Jason, too. He noticed that when Smokey acted differently, he knew he needed to alter his attitude. He strived to give trust so that he could earn trust back. It was the best way to build a relationship.
Smokey learned how to trust people, too. He responded well to Jason and his training. He became a well-behaved and obedient dog. He finally graduated from the program and was now ready to get adopted.
When Smokey left, Jason missed him so much. He repeatedly asked if Smokey has found a family. Then he expressed his intention that he wanted to keep him.
A month after Smokey’s graduation, he was ready to be with his new family. Since Jason was still an inmate, his parents took Smokey in.
Cheryl, Jason’s mom, was so nervous upon meeting him. She soon found out that Smokey was an adorable dog. He fit right in the family.
Jason found a purpose in life. He became a good dog trainer because of the bond he had with Smokey. He looked forward to his life in the future with him.
Source: The Dodo via YouTube