Adopting a dog from the shelter might not be easy at first. Just ask Michelle Clauson.
Michelle adopted her dog, Spirit, from the shelter in Concord, New Hampshire, in 1989. Spirit was about two years old, and Michelle took a liking right away to the shy dog with big ears.
"We went for a walk," she said. "Spirit was hesitant and afraid, but she immediately took to me," Michelle said. "So I took her home. "
But this story didn't have a happy ending for quite some time.
"Spirit was abused," said Michelle. "She had been brought to the shelter in really bad condition. Her fur was coated in car oil, and she had been confined in a small cage for most of her life." And Spirit didn't take too quickly to Michelle's husband, musician and songwriter Scott Kirby.
"I think her previous owner was a man who abused her because Spirit hates men," said Michelle. "It took her some time to trust my husband. Now, of course, Scott's her 'daddy.'"
And there was Spirit's spirit. "She's full of it!" Michelle said. "She hated to be confined, and it wasn't easy to keep her in the yard. She could clear six-foot fences!" Both Michelle and Scott spent months scouring their neighborhood to find Spirit after she would run off.
"I think Spirit's part Australian Shepherd. She loves fields and streams and is a big jumper and runner. At first it was a huge problem, because Spirit wouldn't stay home."
But as Spirit became more accustomed to Michelle and Scott and her new home, she wandered less. She still had separation anxiety problems and was very focused on Michelle, to the extent the dog would shut anyone else out.
"Spirit did become calmer over the years," said Michelle. "It hasn't been easy though, because Spirit's a very intelligent dog with a mind of her own. She keeps me on my toes."
Spirit is a regular at Pepe's and Blue Heaven, both dog-friendly places. And she sometimes accompanies Michelle to work at her accounting office at the Key West Business Center.
To those of you who are thinking of adopting a pet, Michelle wantsyou to know that "the best thing you can do is to adopt a homeless animal. The conditions some purebred animals are raised in are deplorable, and people need to be aware of this."
And to those of you who have just adopted a pet and are adjusting to it, Michelle understands.
"It has not been easy with Spirit sometimes, especially in the beginning. But if you persevere, the reward is great.
"Spirit's my soulmate. She knows everything about me, and is the most intelligent dog I've ever had. She's my greatest friend and companion."