Jelly Bean Jones

Have you heard of Jelly Bean Jones? She wasn’t a famous actor or a member of a blues band. She was a small, 10-year-old, fluffy, black dog that we had the honor to rescue, rehabilitate, and rehome. Here’s her adoption story.

Jelly Bean found her haven at the Senior Dog Sanctuary of Maryland in August 2023. She was surrendered to us by her previous owner, who was moving and could no longer care for her. Although quite nervous at first, it didn’t take Jelly Bean, or JB as we liked to call her, long to settle into life at the sanctuary among her comrades. She was a volunteer favorite who loved sniffing on walks and posing for the camera. She’d offer you her belly for a rub if you were one of her favorite humans. JB could be picky like that.

In November 2023, a woman came to the sanctuary to meet JB, which was love at first sight. We snapped their adoption picture and happily waved them off, ecstatic for them both. Forty-eight hours later, JB was returned to us after her new family experienced a tragic event. Heartbroken for the family and JB, we were left speechless that she had already been to a groomer in that short time. JB was shown so much love in her new home in just two days! It gave us hope that we would find another loving family for this pup.

As the winter turned colder, Christmas was coming fast. We knew that the taste of home life was lingering in JB’s mind, and we did all we could to find her a new home. To our delight, a foster family came to us interested in a fostering-to-adopt option. We sent JB on her way to see if this would be the perfect fit. About a month later, the family was adjusting to life with JB and decided to adopt her. We were overjoyed we had successfully found another home for this sweet girl. JB was receiving another second chance.

Unfortunately, once again, this adoption was short-lived. A week after adopting JB, the family was forced to return her due to a biting incident. We were distraught. There are such highs and lows with rescuing dogs. No matter the reason, it is a massive strike to our hearts when things don't work out. Dogs, especially seniors, often struggle to adjust to new situations, and we know adoptions fail sometimes. However, our hearts bled for this sweet pup whose third chance at a home had failed. This one was hard to swallow.

Like always, we welcomed JB back into the sanctuary and continued our mission to rehome her. Val never gave up on any dog, and neither would we. It was then that one of our beautiful volunteers stepped up to the plate.

Recovering from a knee surgery, the volunteer saw that JB had been returned and decided to come in and see her. When she sat on the floor, JB came right over to her, laid down, and gently rested her head on the new knee, just like the volunteer’s beloved cat used to when she knew something was injured. The volunteer saw this as a powerful message, and her heart fell hard for this pup.

It was decided that JB would try a foster-to-adopt situation with the volunteer and her family, with every finger crossed that this was the perfect fit JB had been yearning for all along. It took only 12 days for this family to realize that JB was and always would be theirs. Adoption papers were signed, and the newly titled Jelly Bean Jones finally went home.

Life with Jelly Bean consisted of belly rubs from Grandma, grooming sessions complete with bows, visits to Kinder Farm Park with the family, a collar adorned with jelly beans, and raincoats to keep her dry on rainy walks. She was loved beyond measure, and our hearts at SDS were bursting!

Only one month later, Jelly Bean visited the vet to decide if her kidneys had responded to a new diet. Her family found that it was quite the opposite–Jelly Bean’s kidneys were failing fast. Having experienced kidney failure with previous pets, her family prepared for the worst but hoped for a little more time with their beautiful senior.

It wasn’t meant to be. Two days after that vet visit, Jelly Bean Jones marched across the rainbow bridge with her tail wagging happily, knowing she had experienced the unconditional love she sought for so long. Jelly Bean’s happiness comforted her new family because they had saved her and given her the love she deserved. Sometimes, the short stories in life are the most impactful. Even though it had only been one month, for Jelly Bean and her family, it felt like a lifetime.

Rest easy, sweet pup.