A pawsitivley good friendship
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Kaitlynn Johnson
February 27th, 2017
 http://www.westwildcats.org/news/a-pawsitivley-good-friendship/
Through the rehab work and trust their relationship grew from, Emily and Fletcher have a relationship unique
from Bella and Winston. Photo provided by Emily Schuster
Stretching on the living room carpet, post-run, Emily Schuster holds a handful of dog treats in her hand.
Fletcher, a Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen (PBGV), creeps towards the guests in her house. He moves a bit
closer before backing away.
Emily tosses a piece of chicken jerky at him, rewarding him for his behavior. Fletcher’s white curls bounce as
he devours the meaty treat. A smile breaks out across Emily’s face, as she praises his behavior. For Fletcher,
this is progress.
On her 17th birthday, Emily’s family decided to foster dogs through the Nebraska Humane Society. While the
Schusters weren’t looking to adopt a third dog, they hoped to impact the lives of more animals by helping
these furry kids and preparing them for adoption.
Animals recovering from an illness, nursing, or in need of socialization are placed in foster care, as opposed to
living in the shelter. These pets receive the care only possible from a loving home.
After completing the necessary checks and home visits, Emily received a text from her mom, asking what she
knew about PBGVs. That night, Fletcher moved in as their very first foster dog, joining Emily’s Ihasa Apso,
Bella, and Bichon Frise, Winston. The house filled with more fluffy white fur.
“He (Fletcher) was so terrified, he didn’t know what to do with himself. He had probably never been in a real
home before,” Emily says.
In contrast to their two social butterflies, Fletcher is a challenge, every sound and person terrifies him. His
first night in the Schuster household he spent behind a brown living room chair, cowering from the family.
Noise ranging from the television to the leaves blowing in the trees frightened him.
PBGVs are a type of hound dog with a happy and curious personality. They are social with all age groups and
affectionate to the people they meet. Originally from Hastings, Fletcher was deemed unadoptable. The
Nebraska Humane Society placed him in foster care to work on his socialization and to gain weight.
Emily’s family adjusted their daily life to accommodate for Fletcher’s situation. Emily believes he could have
been possibly abused or neglected. She worked with the soft puff of fur to advance from his traumatic past.
While watching television, Emily handed Fletcher treats. Emily gave him breaks to allow him to adjust, and
strangers weren’t allowed to pet him unless he greeted them first. Through Bella and Winston, Fletcher learned
how to be a “regular dog.” He played tug of war, chase in the backyard, and chewed on his bones. Olivia
Schuster, Emily’s sister, believes Winston and Fletcher are now best friends.
At the Humane Society, Emily has assisted in dog training classes in addition to her scheduled volunteering.
Immediately after Fletcher’s arrival, she began to teach him basic commands and tricks. Fletcher’s anxiety
lessened as he instead focused on the task in front of him. Through their lessons, Fletcher formed an
attachment to Emily, and their relationship sprouted, different from the rest of the family.
“When Emily walks in the door, Fletcher is happiest to see her out of all our family members,” Stephanie
Schuster, Emily’s mom says. “He follows her around the house and goes to her when he is ready for a snuggle
or play time.”
The typical foster dog’s stay lasts between three and eight weeks, but after three months, Fletcher still lived
with Emily’s family. Countless applications for adoption had been turned down, not quite matching up to
Fletcher’s specifications: a house with no small children, a foster family with experience dealing with nervous
dogs, and another dog living in the home. Small children terrify Fletcher the most, while other dogs allow him
to be part of a pack.
But, in the weeks leading up to Christmas, a match came for Fletcher. Foster families are allowed first choice
in adoption so Emily and Olivia were offered a choice. They could have leopard geckos as planned or they
could adopt Fletcher.
Without hesitation the girls chose Fletcher.
Emily’s smile widens at the thought of her four-legged best friend.
“He’s such a goofball, he’s not like my other dogs,” she says.
What sets Fletcher apart isn’t the time it took him to warm up; it’s his nudging at Emily as she stretches for a
run, it’s him pulling off her socks, and it’s his daily walks with his buddy.
“I can’t imagine my life without him,” Emily says. “He’s eventually coming to college with me.”
Since she was a blonde-haired little kid, Emily has always had a passion for dogs. She owned stuffed animals,
played with her own dogs, and watched anything involving them.
Now she wants to make a career out of it. Currently, Emily works at an animal clinic where she cares for the
dogs and cats, takes them for walks outside, and meets with clients before the vet does to gather basic
information.
In college, Emily plans to major in veterinary sciences with a minor in entrepreneurship at the University of
Nebraska at Lincoln, and to attend vet school. She wants to specialize in either orthopedics or behavior science
for cats and dogs.
As Emily prepares for further schooling, Fletcher returns the care and compassion Emily has given him since
they first met.
“During the usual stressful days of high school, Fletcher is always ready to offer his kisses and support just
when Emily needs a little comfort,” Stephanie says. “It’s a mutual love, respect, and support.”
After over a year together and with Emily’s love and support, Fletcher has shown improvement, developing a
slow, positive association with everything. Now, he’ll approach people and rather than hiding behind the
couch.
“There’s so much more I can do [with him],” Emily says. “I fell in love with him from the beginning.”