When John Vail first spotted Wiley’s photo at PAWS of Coronado, he immediately sensed there was something uniquely special about the dog.
Vail discovered Wiley shortly after he began volunteering at the organization earlier this year.
He couldn’t help but notice the large, two-year-old mix of Australian Kelpie and Belgian Shepherd, whose commanding presence was accentuated by his kind, ‘George Clooney eyes.’
‘Wiley’s picture struck a chord,’ said Vail.
‘I knew this dog wasn’t going to last, so I learned more about him, and it broke my heart to find out he had been dumped on Silver Strand.’
Vail’s first encounter with Wiley cemented his belief that the dog was special.
He met Wiley during a walk led by Greg Curtin, a PAWS board member and volunteer.
‘Wiley was prancing along, looking up at Greg with the fondest appreciation,’ Vail recalled.
In that moment, Vail felt drawn to Wiley and decided to foster him without hesitation.
However, when Vail met Wiley at PAWS a few days later, the dog was wearing a cone after being recently neutered.
Wiley struggled to settle down in his new surroundings, and Vail quickly realized that the dog had some fear-based issues stemming from a potentially traumatic past.
‘It saddened me to consider what he had gone through,’ Vail shared.
To help soothe Wiley’s nerves, Vail invited him onto his bed, but nothing seemed to work.
Eventually, Vail laid on the floor, and the two fell asleep side by side.
‘Wiley knew then that I was okay, and that was it,’ he said.
With Wiley now a part of his life, Vail felt an immediate impact.
Having recently gone through a difficult transition after ending a relationship, Wiley filled the void Vail had been experiencing while living alone at the Bayside Apartments.
‘I was surprised at how quickly I bonded with Wiley,’ Vail remarked.
‘You know that saying about having another heartbeat in the house?
I suddenly had something to care for.’
Vail hadn’t expected their relationship to develop so rapidly and underestimated the depth of their bond.
‘He’s so loyal,’ Vail said, expressing his amazement at Wiley’s affectionate nature.
Adopting Wiley allowed Vail to embark on his healing journey.
Wiley’s friendly disposition helped him connect with others and encouraged Vail to step outside of his comfort zone.
‘I had a tendency to withdraw, but Wiley forced me to engage with the world,’ he explained.
‘He made me take care of him, which changed my life.’
While Vail and Wiley’s journey hasn’t been without challenges, Vail remained dedicated to helping Wiley overcome his fears.
Initially, Wiley refused to enter grocery stores and would just hunker down, transforming into ‘dead weight.’
He also struggled with the open risers of the stairs in their apartment.
Determined, Vail sought the help of a dog trainer specializing in working with special forces dogs.
To Vail’s delight, Wiley excelled in the training sessions, surprising the trainer with his intelligence and demeanor.
Vail began to wonder if Wiley had been abandoned because his previous owner dismissed him as insufficiently aggressive.
After weeks of work, Vail noted, ‘Now he goes everywhere with me.
It’s all about establishing trust.’
Vail took the lead in their relationship, recognizing that Wiley’s past traumas required a more protective approach.
‘We often expect dogs to lead the way, but I walk ahead of Wiley,’ he stated.
‘I think he senses that I will protect him, relieving him of the pressure to protect me, which helps him relax.’
As Vail observed Wiley’s potential to aid others, he introduced him to therapy dog training.
During a visit to the base, Wiley participated in a class and performed exceptionally well, demonstrating an innate ability to comfort those in need.
Wiley has also visited U.S. Marines dealing with illness or injury, and Vail has noted that the dog genuinely seems to understand the positive impact he has on those who interact with him.
‘I believe he should be utilized more for therapeutic purposes,’ Vail said.
‘It would be a shame to keep his personality contained.’
Outside of his therapeutic endeavors, Wiley enjoys playful days at Tidelands Park and Dog Beach where playing fetch is his absolute favorite activity.
‘When he’s focused on the ball, he barely notices anything else,’ Vail laughed.
Encouraging others to adopt pets, Vail believes that rescuing animals can lead to mutual healing.
‘It’s remarkable how we can rescue each other,’ he added.
Reflecting on his journey, Vail noted that if he could see his past self, he would hardly recognize the happiness he has found in his new life with Wiley.
‘Oh my goodness, it’s night and day,’ Vail exclaimed.
‘Just one year ago, I couldn’t have imagined feeling this fulfilled.’
In an unexpected twist of fate, Vail expressed gratitude to the individual who abandoned Wiley on Silver Strand.
‘I want to say thank you,’ Vail concluded, ‘your loss is my gain by far.’
image source from：coronadotimes
