Rescue Tails / Phil The Island Dog

Rescue Tails / Phil The Island Dog

We named him Phil; it just seemed to fit him. He was a stray who came to the Florida Keys SPCA just before Christmas last year. We had no backstory on him so his past was a mystery. We weren’t sure what his mix was; we just knew he was young and good-looking!

Dogs can be like people when it comes to their outlook on the world. Some are optimists, expecting nothing but the best in life. Others tend towards pessimism, worried about what troubles might be in store for them. Phil leaned more towards the latter and tended to err on the side of caution when it came to new things. He didn’t like venturing into unfamiliar areas, was fearful of cars and traffic, and was not comfortable being left outside without a human friend. His tail and his ears were the perfect barometer when it came to his emotional comfort and confidence. When he felt safe, his tail was high and his ears were erect and forward. But as his confidence waned, his tail dropped, his ears lowered, and he refused to move. He was easy to read, and we always listened to him. We never forced him. As a result, his trust in us grew, his confidence increased, and his world expanded. But he still presented some challenges and needed a supportive home.

Phil didn’t adapt well to life in a kennel. Because of his tendency to get “mouthy,” he was a more challenging dog to place. As time passed, his kennel behavior began to deteriorate in spite of our efforts to support him. Decompression walks, enrichment activities, time with staff and volunteers, and anxiety medication were not enough to push back the tide of stress and frustration. We became seriously concerned about the quality of his life.

But then one day things changed for Phil! A couple walked in, saw him, and fell in love!

The more we talked to the couple and watched their interactions with our boy, we thought they might be his “right” home. The home they wanted to offer him was perfect yet challenging. They lived on an island, where Phil would have peace, space, and two caring people. The challenge? Phil would need to adjust to both boat and car travel, but the couple was patient and willing to give him time to adapt. The first step was getting him from the shelter to the island, which involved both modes of travel and miles on the highway!

Although we had done some confidence building around cars, he still was not a fan. So on the morning of Phil’s adoption, we decided it would easiest for him to travel with a shelter “support team” that included people he knew and trusted. We drove him to the dock, and by the time he was lifted onto the boat, he was nervous but not panicky. We watched as they slowly motored away from the dock, Phil sitting next to his new people.

Phil was once an FKSPCA shelter dog. He is now considered an island dog who is figuring out all things water-related. He’s adjusting well. He goes ashore frequently, but it sounds like he’s always happy to return to his Island Paradise!