This week’s Friday Furry Friends features three wonderful dogs waiting at the Thumb Animal Shelter in Elkton, each with their own personality and perfect family out there somewhere. Whether you’re looking for a gentle lap dog, an energetic running partner, or a smart companion ready to learn, one of these girls might be exactly what your home needs.
Meet Candy: The Gentle Jack Russell Mix
Candy is an adult female Jack Russell Terrier mix who completely breaks the stereotype of her breed. While Jack Russells are famous for being high-energy tornado dogs that never stop bouncing, Candy is described as gentle, loving, friendly, and quiet. If you’ve always liked the idea of a Jack Russell’s compact size and big personality but worried about the typical yappiness and chaos, Candy might be your perfect match.
She’s small with a short coat that won’t require constant grooming, and she’s already house-trained, which saves you from the frustrating puppy stage of cleaning up accidents. What really sets Candy apart is her temperament—she gets along great with other dogs, cats, and children. That’s actually unusual for Jack Russell mixes, which can be territorial or chase-obsessed when it comes to cats and other small animals.
Candy would fit beautifully into almost any living situation. Got a fenced yard where she can burn energy? Perfect. Living in an apartment but committed to daily walks? That works too, since her small size makes her adaptable as long as she gets some activity. Families with kids will appreciate her gentle nature, and homes with existing pets won’t need to worry about introduction stress.
The adoption route often costs less than buying from breeders, plus Thumb Animal Shelter covers initial veterinary care and vaccinations. You’re getting a known quantity—Candy’s personality is established, so there are no surprises about whether she’ll grow into a hyperactive nightmare like some puppies do.
SIS: The Smart Border Collie Looking for Her People
SIS is a black and white Border Collie estimated between 3-8 years old, and she embodies everything people love and find challenging about this incredibly intelligent breed. She’s curious, playful, and very smart—which means she needs a family ready to keep that brain busy or she’ll find her own entertainment, and you might not love what she comes up with.
Weighing somewhere between 26-60 pounds with a medium build, SIS is house-trained and vaccinated. She absolutely loves running in a fenced yard, which isn’t optional for Border Collies—it’s essential. These dogs were bred to herd sheep across Scottish highlands all day long. Without serious exercise and mental stimulation, they become destructive, neurotic, or develop obsessive behaviors.
Here’s the challenging part: SIS doesn’t do well with other dogs or cats unless very carefully introduced. She was surrendered because her previous owners wanted a farm dog, but she and her sibling chased and hurt the chickens and ducks. That herding instinct is strong, and small animals trigger her chase drive. She’s recommended for families with older children who understand how to interact with high-energy dogs respectfully.
But here’s what makes SIS special—Border Collies are literally the smartest dog breed. They learn commands faster than almost any other dog, excel at agility training, thrive on having jobs to do, and bond intensely with their families. If you’re active, love training dogs, want a hiking or running partner, and can commit to keeping that brilliant mind engaged, SIS will reward you with loyalty, athleticism, and a connection that’s genuinely special.
To adopt SIS, contact Thumb Animal Shelter at (989) 375-4204 or email echelon@airadv.net. They’ll want to make sure your home situation matches her needs before arranging a meeting.
Cocoa: The Energetic Chocolate Lab Needing an Active Home
Cocoa is a purebred Chocolate Labrador Retriever who found herself at the shelter through no fault of her own—her owner needs immediate surgery and can no longer provide the care this energetic girl needs. She’s an adult, probably between 3-8 years old, described as athletic, curious, smart, and loyal.
Here’s the reality with Cocoa: she’s young, very energetic, and needs active people committed to giving her plenty of daily exercise. We’re talking long walks, playing fetch, swimming if you have access to water, or running alongside while you bike. Labs were bred as working dogs retrieving waterfowl for hunters, which means endless energy and drive that doesn’t just disappear because you live in the suburbs.
Cocoa is housebroken, which is great, but she’s had no formal obedience training. That combination of high energy plus lack of training means she probably pulls on leash, jumps on people, and doesn’t have the best manners. The intelligence is there—Labs are smart and eager to please—but someone needs to invest time teaching her what’s expected.
A fenced yard isn’t just recommended for Cocoa, it’s basically required unless you’re committed to multiple long walks daily. She needs space to run safely and regularly. The shelter notes she’s not recommended for homes with small children, probably because her enthusiasm and energy level could accidentally knock toddlers over during play.
The good news is Cocoa can get along with other dogs after proper introductions, so if you have a dog already and want a companion for them, this could work with careful management. She’s vaccinated and healthy, just needing a family that matches her activity level.
If you’re considering Cocoa, think honestly about your lifestyle. Are you actually active enough for a high-energy Lab? Will you commit to daily exercise even when it’s raining, snowing, or you’re tired? Are you willing to invest in obedience training so her intelligence gets channeled into good behavior instead of destructive outlets?
For more information about adopting Cocoa, call Thumb Animal Shelter at 989-375-4204.
Why Adoption Matters
The Thumb Animal Shelter has served the community for decades, providing second chances to animals like Candy, SIS, and Cocoa who deserve loving homes. Adopting from shelters saves lives—every adoption opens a space for another animal in need. You’re also getting dogs whose personalities are established, unlike puppies where temperament is still developing.
Similar to how Angel the German Shepherd-Husky mix found her spotlight in previous Friday features, and how the Thumb Animal Shelter celebrated 30 years of service to the community, these three dogs represent the ongoing need for families willing to open their hearts and homes to animals waiting for their second chances.
If any of these dogs sound like they might fit your family, don’t wait too long. Good dogs don’t stay available forever—someone is going to give Candy, SIS, or Cocoa their forever home. Maybe it should be you.
Contact the Thumb Animal Shelter in Elkton at (989) 375-4204 or visit them to meet these wonderful dogs. Your new best friend might be waiting there right now.
