Who would have guessed that the 53-lb. hound mix with the chocolate brown eyes and cat-like ability to climb onto kitchen counters would capture the heart of Inman Park mom Carolyn Jordan-White?

Despite the usual puppy problems of chewed furniture and miscellaneous mischief, Jordan-White says she “can’t imagine ever being annoyed at Scout.” The family named their nearly one-year-old rescue Scout Finch, after the character in To Kill a Mockingbird.

The family waited many years to bring a pup into their intown home. The kids wanted a dog when they were younger, but Jordan-White always told daughter Gina and son Henry: “You’re my puppies and I have to be ready to get another dog.”

With Gina starting up at the University of Georgia and Henry in high school, she was finally ready to adopt. After setting sights on the perfect canine at the Atlanta Humane Society last April, Jordan-White brought her family to the shelter to visit the future family addition. The family’s ear-to-ear grins left no room for debate – with her sunny temperament and ability to be playful or relaxed at any time, Scout was “the one” for the Whites.

Jordan-White has a magnet that reads, “Who rescued who?” That sums up the love she has for her frisky, furry friend. The best part of owning a dog is the unconditional love that Scout provides. “A dog is always ready for you, no matter what your mood is,” Jordan-White says. The worst parts, she says, are little things and behaviors that will go away with time. Obedience training is on the horizon for Scout.

Jordan-White’s advice for anyone ready to bring a new dog into their home: “If you don’t fall for that dog, it’s going to be hard [to make adjustments].”

Luckily for Scout, her family is head over paws for her. 

Sources for Dog Adoption Info

Here are some local shelters and rescue organizations dedicated to caring for and finding homes for dogs; we include some breed-specific rescue groups. Spotsociety.org offers resources on pet adoption and spay/neuturing.

atlantahumanesociety.org
atlantapetrescue.org
dekalbcountyanimalservices.com
fultonanimalservices.com
rufusrescue.org
spotsociety.org
petorphans.com
smalldogshumane.org
atlantapets.org
cloverrunrescue.com
aarfatlanta.org

– Alexi Wilbourn