At the Animal Center of Moore County, it is rare that we have an animal that stays at the center for many months.

Right now, we have a special dog that came into the center at the end of July and is looking for a "forever home" of her very own.

Everyone who went to the movies at the Sandhills Cineplex knew who she was. She was a young, thin, black dog with the white blaze on her chest that lived behind the Cineplex in the woods.

People would see her peeking around corners, looking for food near the dumpster, always watching people, but never having enough courage to let them near her.

Local rescue groups had tried to trap her with no luck. A policeman brought her food, in an attempt to gain her trust. Then a woman named Cassie went to the movies, saw her, and couldn't stop thinking and worrying about her.

Cassie called the Animal Center of Moore County and asked if an animal control officer could humanely trap the dog. It took three tries, but finally "the cinema dog" was brought in.

Center employees named her Popcorn and Lisa Bridge, the community outreach/volunteer coordinator, decided to take on the challenge of working with Popcorn.

The first week, Popcorn was terrified of Bridge, who sat in her kennel and talked to her every day. The second week, Popcorn started looking for Bridge when she heard her voice and allowed Lisa to put a leash on her.

Other staff members carried her out to the play yard, where Popcorn would sit in the farthest corner, away from everyone.

The staff decided to see if Popcorn liked other dogs and brought out a puppy that was full of energy.

Popcorn took one look at the puppy (named Cracker Jack) and she came to life! She loved other dogs.

Cracker Jack became Popcorn's "therapy dog," staying with her in her kennel, teaching her how to play, walk on a leash and start to trust people.

Popcorn played with all the puppies at the center and as each one got adopted, she accepted new arrivals into her play group.

The staff thought Popcorn might be ready to try a foster home. One was arranged, but Popcorn didn't like staying in a house, and she escaped after one day. The foster mom looked for her for three days. Popcorn was being seen all around the neighborhood, but no one could catch her.

Bridge went looking for her, bringing a puppy along. Amazingly she found Popcorn sitting by the side of the road like she was waiting for her.

Bridge showed Popcorn the puppy, and she came right over to her. Popcorn got micro-chipped and spayed, then went to Bridge's barn to be fostered.

Bridge brought Popcorn to the center every day when she went to work. Popcorn loved to ride in the car and play outside with other dogs. She was trained on an Invisible Fence.

Nighttime was spent in an indoor/outdoor kennel in the barn, with a soft bed to sleep on and soft toys to cuddle with.

Popcorn was adopted by a very patient woman, but she really didn't like living inside a house all the time. Popcorn was returned to the center and is looking for a home of her own in the New Year.

Popcorn has some special needs, and the Animal Center staff feels that there is someone who would be a perfect match for Popcorn.

Popcorn's wish list includes:

• A dog friend or two to play with.
• A fenced (or Invisible Fenced) property with room to run.
• A soft bed in a kennel or barn.
• No cats. If they run, she will chase them!
• A patient human or family. Small children scare her. (Children over 10 seem to be okay.)

For more information about Popcorn or other animals up for adoption, check out Animal Center of Moore County on Petfinder.com, call the center at (910) 947-2858 or visit 5235 U.S. 15-501, Carthage.

"Please make adoption your only option," says a spokesman.