Archive of Our Own

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Charlie entered the community hall with a determined look on his face, running through a final mental checklist for the big day. All the paperwork was completed, pre screening interviews finalised, vet checks up to date, the dogs had been walked, fed and watered and the room was set up in a perfect U shape of chairs.

Selection day was always his favourite day at the Pause for Paws Rescue shelter. It was not just a successful day in terms of the number of dogs adopted, it was always a day filled with joy and emotion, and it made Charlie's heart soar.

There was nothing quite like watching a dog sniff out and identify who they wanted for their forever human. They just had an instinctive intuition that allowed them to determine who would care for them the right way. Charlie loved watching the pure joy in the faces of the humans, when they were chosen with a simple paw on the knee or a lap hug and enthusiastic face lick. Even though he had been doing this for years, it always made him well up, especially when people burst into tears and sobs when they had been chosen.

In all the years they had been running these selection days, the dogs had never got it wrong and there had not been a single dog returned later. Occasionally, when families came in to choose a dog in the more traditional adoption process, it didn't work out so well, as they had preconceived ideas from their ‘pupcasts’ and Instagram reels. Charlie was proud of his marketing skills, but he also wanted to make sure that the dogs went home with the right people.

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Charlie and his team were ready and the dogs could sense a change in energy as the shelter was full of yips and yaps, excited woofs and waggy tails. There was a sense of anticipation as the humans started to assemble in the hall, and the noise of nervous, excited chatter filled the room. Charlie made his way out the back to see the dogs, who were mostly being very patient ‘good dogs’. Bouncer the Boston Terrier was very excitable at the best of times and was spinning around in circles chasing her lead.

All the dogs could sense it was a special day as they had been groomed and Charlie chose a fresh collar and lead for each dog to suit their personality. The dogs seemed to know it was going to be their day, the last time they had to get their hopes up that someone would choose them because today, it was up to them. Charlie always found it heartbreaking on standard adoption days to see the dogs retreat to the corner with their tails between their legs when families walked straight past and chose another dog.

All the dogs looked up eagerly as Charlie walked past and he stopped and paused at some of the dogs, greeting them by name. The shelter staff chose the names of the dogs and sometimes the new owners kept the original name, but most renamed them to suit their family. 

Frankie the black and white Border Collie was doing her ‘best dog’ impression, and gave Charlie a wide toothy grin as he walked past. Henry the pug was in a sooky mood and didn't make eye contact, just settled down into his beautiful folds. The handsome and strong Blue Heeler called Red was sporting a flashy red collar and was on high alert for pats and snacks as Charlie offered her a small treat from his pocket.

One of Charlie’s favourite dogs who had been at the shelter for a long time, was given a special blue bandana that made his eyes sparkle. Huddy was a sleek grey greyhound with big round eyes, who could no longer race, and he was the loveliest dog even with his occasional chaotic energy thrown in, but sadly no one wanted to adopt him as there was a perception that greyhounds were an aggressive breed.

“How are you Huddy? Are you excited?” Charlie said as he gave him a gentle scratch behind the ears. “I think today is the day, your human is out there, I can feel it.” Huddy’s big dark eyes looked up at Charlie longingly and he pawed at Charlie's converse and gently shook his slender, pointy tail.

At the end of the row, Charlie paused at Daisy, a flamboyant golden retriever puppy with long silky fur and floppy ears. She was a bit out of proportion and hadn’t quite grown into her paws. It was hard to know the exact age of rescue dogs, but Daisy still had some growing to do and still exhibited big puppy energy.

Daisy looked apprehensive as Charlie approached and she lay on the ground with her chin resting on her paws, looking up with big sad puppy eyes. Charlie crouched beside her and calmly stroked her head, “Hi Daisy, it's going to be okay girl. I just know that your person is out there today. I have met someone who would be perfect for you.” Charlie leaned down to her long velvet ears and whispered, “I am not supposed to say too much as you need to make the choice, but if you see a nice tall man, with a floppy fringe, freckles and big rugby arms, I think he might be the one for you.” 

Charlie giggled to himself and his tummy flipped when he remembered his face to face interview with Nick Nelson, the retired professional rugby player, now a school teacher. He was tall with broad shoulders and magnificent arms and looked very, very fit, but he was also so sweet and awkward and charming and so nervous about the adoption process. Nick seemed embarrassed to admit that he was looking for companionship and loyalty. Charlie fondly remembered the way Nick had looked at him when he described what he was looking for in a dog. It sounded like his wish list for a life partner.

Nick Nelson easily met all the basic credentials for a new pet parent. He was physically and financially able to support a dog full time and he lived alone in a freestanding house with a garden and parks nearby for long walks. Charlie noted on the application form that Nick Nelson had ticked single. Nick emitted a beautiful golden retriever energy and Charlie hoped that Daisy would choose him. He gave Daisy one more reassuring pat and walked towards the door.

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The excited crowd chatter quickly settled as Charlie confidently strode to the front of the room and opened his arms to welcome the crowd. His heart was already fluttering with event day nerves and it started to race when he saw Nick Nelson sitting right at the front with his elbows on his knees, his chiseled chin resting in his hands. His reddy-auburn hair was glistening in the sunlight and his freckled cheeks were a little flushed. He looked up and made eye contact with Charlie and gave him a shy wave. Charlie waved back, took a deep breath and addressed the crowd.

“Good Morning everyone and welcome to our adoption day. For those of you who I haven’t met through the interview process, my name is Charlie Spring and I am the owner of Pause for Paws.” Charlie scanned the room and noticed Nick Nelson still staring intently at him. He felt his face start to blush and quickly continued, “A few reminders before we start. You are all here because you want to give a rescue animal a good life and I thank you so much for that. I know you will be good dog owners and I know these dogs will make amazing pets. You have reviewed the dogs who will be on show today and are happy to be chosen by any one of them, so now it is over to the doggies. There are only ten dogs today so please don't be disappointed if you don’t get a match. It just means the dog for you is not here yet and we will automatically invite you to our next adoption event.”

Charlie paused and signaled to the back of the room for the first dog to come out. “Please stay super quiet and keep your hands still. I know it can be tempting to reach out for a pat, but we don’t want to distract the dogs while they are on mission.”

The entire room was still and it felt like everyone was holding their breath as a four legged bundle of golden brown thick curls padded elegantly across the floor, it was so quiet you could hear her claws clicking across the floor. 

“Here we have Connie who is a labradoodle,” announced Charlie like a fashion runway presenter. “She was raised in a lovely home, but the owners have re-located overseas, so she had to be put up for adoption. With all those curls, she will need a lot of grooming and pampering.”

There was a collective gasp and then everyone held their breath as Connie cautiously wandered around the circle, pausing occasionally for a gaze and a sniff. Eventually he stopped and started wagging her curly tail excitedly in front of a woman called Tara, a dancer with beautiful braids. A few people clapped and cried as Tara gave Connie a tight cuddle and buried her face in the golden curls.

Next it was Huddy's turn and Charlie decided to take his lead and walk him around the circle to give him some extra confidence. “This is Huddy the greyhound, an ex-racing champion who was surrendered when he couldn't compete anymore. He is in excellent health, can still run very fast and is very loyal and will make an excellent pet.” Huddy was very tentative until he reached Nathan’s chair. Huddy hesitated, gave Nathan a sniff and then lay down with his paws across both his shoes. Nathan, a local artist and creative, let out an audible sob and reached down to hug Huddy. There was not a dry eye in the room, Charlie included.

The selection process repeated a number of times and Charlie witnessed some very happy pairings amid floods of tears of joy and sighs of relief. Henry the moody pug couldn't quite make the leap into Kit’s lap but he quickly scooped him up and gave him a joyous squeeze. Red the Blue Heeler strode out confidently and made her way directly to a woman called Callie who was looking to settle down after many years of travelling. A mature dalmatian called Freckles, who had recently lost their owner was immediately drawn to a young Asian man called Oscar, and rested their head on his lap. There was more applause and tears and “oohs and ahhs” from the rest of the group with every match.

Charlie kept looking towards Nick each time a dog chose their owner. He was clearly not a poker player as he could not contain the emotions on his face and it was melting Charlie’s heart. His face was so expressive and his big brown eyes were glistening. This big tough rugby player was adorable. Charlie enjoyed noticing Nick’s eyes following him around the room with each new introduction. He licked his lips whenever he looked at Charlie and quickly looked away if he noticed Charlie looking back. Nick’s presence in the front row was making it very difficult for Charlie to concentrate on the job.

The fierce looking black and gold German Shepherd called Klaus, who was actually a big softie, instantly connected with an older Greek gentleman called Kosta and calmly curled up at his feet. Frankie the Border Collie strutted out like a runway model and quickly bounded over to the very sweet librarian called Alice and jumped awkwardly into her lap and started licking her face.

Bouncer the Boston Terrier bolted around and around and then bounded up to a young person named Darcy. Charlie was so happy with this match. Darcy had moved out of home as a teenager due to difficulties with their parents accepting their gender and sexuality. They still lived alone and would benefit from pet ownership and some new chaotic energy from Bouncer. A fawn and white bulldog with lots of muscle and grunt trotted out with his long pink tongue hanging out of his squished up happy face and made a bee line for a couple called Danny and James. Wilco the bulldog did three quick spins and then tried to jump into their laps. The taller dark haired man grunted as he lifted Wilco’s weighty frame and started crying as Danny quipped, “he’s a fair dinkum beauty, how are ya fella?”

Charlie adored all of their emotional connections and reactions and in particular he loved watching Nick’s reaction to all of the matches. With only one dog left to be introduced, Nick was looking around nervously and tapping his feet, so Charlie tried to give Nick a reassuring smile, but it probably looked more like a grinning Cheshire cat.

Charlie was delighted with all the matches so far and was secretly hoping that Daisy would choose Nick. He gathered Daisy’s yellow lead and said to the group, “well we have saved the best to last as she is still a puppy. This is Daisy, a golden retriever with boundless puppy energy and a big appetite.” As Charlie was talking, he kept an eye on Nick and his reactions. His face lit up and he looked like he regressed ten years. His jaw dropped and his mouth gaped open and all Charlie could see was a desperate longing to be chosen. It looked like Nick’s eyes were already welling as Daisy broke free from Charlie’s grip and ran towards him and leapt into his lap, started licking his face and resting her paws elegantly on Nick's shoulders. Nick’s face was streaked in tears as he clung onto Daisy and stroked her golden fur. Daisy's tail was wagging fiercely and Nick looked up and made eye contact with Charlie and mouthed the words ‘thank you’. Charlie felt warm and happy all over and gave a little wave and a smile.

He quickly congratulated everyone for their matches and encouraged them to meet with shelter staff to formalise the adoption paperwork.

“Hi Nick, I am so happy that Daisy chose you,” Charlie gushed. “I must confess, I had given her some secret coaching and pup talks.”

“How did you coach a puppy to choose me?” Nick asked as he stroked Daisy’s fur.

“Oh she is pretty impressionable as a puppy and I knew she would be a perfect match for you.”

“Don’t you mean pawfect match?” Nick said with a cheeky wink. He leaned towards Charlie, gently held his hand, and whispered, “Are you free for dinner tonight? I was secretly hoping that you would be a perfect match for me too.”

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Meet the Rescue Dogs
These are all images I found from Google.

Daisy

Connie

Huddy

Henry

Red

Freckles

Klaus

Frankie

Bouncer

Wilco