Imagine adopting a squishy-faced little puppy, falling in love and having a magical six-weeks together … and then realizing it’s not going to work out and having to give her back to the animal rescue. Like, right away. Tomorrow. Can you? Stephanie Nelson had to do it. She adopted tiny little Juniper, a darling little girl with a white diamond on the back of her neck … and found out that her needs were just too much for their family to meet. On today’s show, Nelson joins us to tell her heartbreaking story. It’s the kind of story most dog lovers are afraid to tell. We worry that we will be judged harshly, thought hard-hearted. But the opposite is true. Dog lovers who return their dogs ASAP to be rehomed with families that are a better fit are doing the right thing. Lisa Giesick, a positive dog trainer and Stephanie’s consultant, explains why she did the exact right thing. This is a very special story that will strike a story for anyone who’s ever loved any dog, anywhere. If you’ve ever worried about failing a dog adoption, it will offer you hope and solace. About Stephanie Nelson Stephanie Nelson is an educator who lives in Maui, Hawaii with her husband, twin stepsons, and her dog, Petey. About Lisa Giesick Lisa Giesick is a Certified Pet Dog Trainer who lives on Maui. A leading resource for positive training on the island, she believes that training should be fun for everyone (including your dog) and that it is about building a relationship between guardian and pet. Lisa Giesick started and is lead trainer for Ohana Pet Training after having worked with animals since 1983 and in the animal welfare field for 16 years. She is a certified dog trainer with the CCPDT (CPDT-KA) and a member of the APDT (Association of Pet Dog Trainers), IAABC (International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants), and PPG (Pet Professional Guild). Lisa is a certified evaluator for the AKC Canine Good Citizen Program. https://ohanapet.com/ LinkedIn (99+) Lisa Giesick | LinkedIn Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Ohana-Pet-Training-188528246794 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ohanapet/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices