To visitors hoping to adopt a dog, she may seem too wild and mean to even take out of the kennel, but to the workers at the McKean County SPCA, “Elena” is special in every way.
“Elena” is a 4-year-old lab mix who has been at the SPCA since 2014. She has yet to be adopted due to her seemingly rough nature when approaching her in her kennel. However, once she is out of the enclosed area, she becomes a ball of love and mush.
Mary Jo Corignani, who was previously on the board at the SPCA before realizing she wanted to work with the animals, has become attached to “Elena” over the years.
This is why she has been trying her best to give “Elena” a place to call home.
Corignani was reluctant to even get close to “Elena’s” kennel because of how she acted inside, but once she took her out, that was it.
“She is honestly the best dog,” stated Corignani. “It breaks my heart to see most people say no because of how she acts in the kennel.”
“Elena” has no special needs or diets, and is great with kids, although she needs to be in a home with no other animals.
The SPCA has previously turned away potential adoptions as they had other pets, and the organization refuses to put her up for failure when all she wants is a home.
“She just needs someone to love her,” said Corignani.
“Elena” sat on the couch wearing a pink bandana, reading, “Adopt me and I will love you forever,” looking at all the people that were walking in to look at animals.
As Corignani was rubbing the dog’s belly, she was asked how she would describe “Elena.”
“She is as beautiful on the inside as she is the out,” she said. “And she will do anything for a belly rub.”
“Elena” also loves to play and be outside, go on walks and snuggle.
Corignani believes that “Elena” is misunderstood, and that her bark is worse than her bite.
She believes that one of the most important things to think of when adopting a dog, or any animal, is to remember that they deserve a vast amount of commitment and love.
Every animal deserves a home, and many at the SPCA have seen both sides. Some know what it is like to have a place to call home, and then to be brought back.
As “Elena” was running around the room with excitement, Corignani stated, “I would ask people to not judge her by how she is in her kennel.”
Corignani stated how every morning and night she will go to the dog’s kennel to check up on her. Every night, all of the animals at the SPCA get blankets before everyone leaves.
However, Corignani likes to make sure herself that “Elena” is taken care of before she gets ready to leave work.
As “Elena” sat and smiled for her picture, Corignani was asked what working at the SPCA means to her.
“Some days we are all these animals have,” she said. “And we aren’t giving up on this one.”
“Elena” is not alone at the kennel, as lots of other animals are looking for their forever homes, too.
For those who would like more information, or are interested in adopting, contact the McKean
County SPCA at (814)362-8850 or Mary Jo Corignani at (814)558-0364
