Norman

My story

Almost Home believes that every animal deserves a loving home regardless of appearance, age, or physical limitation.  We have come together to give animals in need the safe and happy life they all deserve.  Almost Home Animal Rescue believes that no animal is expendable.  Adopting a friend:The animals, lucky enough to find refuge with Almost Home, are all in loving foster homes. If you are interested in the possibility of giving one of the animals a new lease on life, please contact us. The contact information is listed at the end of each biography.  What you need to do to adopt:If you would like to adopt a pet in need from Almost Home, basically, an application must be filled out. We will check two personal references and a vet reference. If you are approved for adoption, there is a trial period of about one week to make sure this is the animal for you and you are the person for the animal. Along with the trial period, a contract must be signed that basically states that if ever you cannot keep the animal that you must return the animal to Almost Home. Last but not least, a home check will be done. Meet & Greets:An approved application is required. This does not mean that you have to adopt but that you are approved to do so if everything works out. Since we are foster based, this limits the amount of people coming to our homes.  Okay… okay… I’m trying to be brave. Hi. My name is Norman. I’m only ten months old — still just a 32 lb Dutch Shepherd pup (my ears stood up basically overnight!) — but somehow I ended up in this place where the walls echo with barks and the lights never really go out. I try to wag my tail when people walk by, even when I’m scared, because maybe if I wag just right… they’ll stop and see me. Someone recently said they were going to come adopt me. I was SO happy! But then they never showed up. They never even bothered to meet me. I was ghosted. I’m a good boy. I am. I love people, especially kids. I like other doggies too. I don’t growl or snap, even when I’m nervous. I just want someone to sit with me for a while. To scratch behind my ears and tell me everything’s going to be okay. I’ve never had my own family, never had a cozy couch to nap on or a favorite toy that’s mine. I don’t even really know what it means to belong — but I want to. I want that more than anything. I’m trying to learn the things puppies are supposed to learn. Walking on a leash? I’m giving it my best shot. Kennels? I don’t love them. I get confused. But I’m willing to try, especially if it means getting to be part of something... bigger than me. Something like a home. A forever one. They say I’m 'on the list' this time. I don’t fully understand what that means, but everyone’s been a little quieter around my kennel. Some of my friends are gone now. I heard their names once or twice, then nothing. I keep waiting for someone to call my name the way families do — sweet and proud, like it matters. Because I matter. Don’t I? I just want a chance. A chance to know what it feels like to run free in a backyard, to fall asleep in someone’s lap after a long day of being loved. To be told, “You’re safe now, Norman.” Please… if you can hear me — wherever you are — I’m here. I’m waiting. Don’t let my story end in a cage. I’ve barely begun it. With hope,Norman PS! I was 'on the list' but someone, my hero, decided to foster me! Now, I get to learn everything I need to know of living life outside of a cage and BOY! am I going to enjoy every minute of it! I still want and need my forever home and now I'm just one step, or four steps, closer. *Guest Posting**You can foster to adopt or adopt!* If you would like to meet your new best friend, contact the Adoption Coordinator at info@almosthometn.org or 865-236-0830. To fill out an application, go to www.almosthometn.org. If you cannot get it to work, let us know and we will email it to you in a different format.ADOPTION FEE: The adoption fee for a cat is $85. The adoption fee for a kitten is $100. The adoption fee does include the kittens being fixed and their rabies shot when they are old enough through one of our local vets. The adoption fee for a dog is $200. The adoption fee for a puppy is $250. The adoption fee does include the puppies being fixed and their rabies shot when they are old enough through one of our local vets. Mature pet adoption fees are sometimes reduced. The adoption fee for pure bred dogs and cats will vary due to health and age of pet. This helps support our ill animals and our mutts that get left in the system longer. We do reserve the right to change the fees higher or lower due to the circumstance of the animal but what was stated above are the usual adoption fees.  Microchipped pets will have a higher adoption fee.  Our adoption fees do not cover the cost of the vetting and care the animal has received with us and if it ever does, the money just goes back it to helping other animals in need. August 13, 2025, 4:21 pm

If you have any questions or would like to adopt Norman, please reach out to the adoption group directly. PetSmart Charities does not facilitate the adoption process. Thank you.