Seems sketchy that you are moving the dog. Sounds like there is another person who can claim ownership, and you are keeping the dog from this person. Whatever you do, please place the dog with a legitimate rescue who will check out any applicants first.

I live in MA and I go to a lot of Whole Foods when I travel to CT, since I don't really know the local stores. I find they are all a little different. For example, the Whole Foods closets to me has a crap meat department and the prepared meals section always looks like I missed a busload of tourists; the trays are empty and the counters are messy. So I go to one much further away and plan errands convenient to that store.

I was just in West Hartford and stopped at one store, looked for some things I normally pick up, and they didn't have it. So I went to my usual place later that day.

Find a volunteer opportunity? I do animal rescue volunteer work and those people have become my closest friends. When all else fails, there are dogs and cats to talk to, and they are great therapists.

Not Naugatuck, but Bikers Against Animal Cruelty does a lot of social events and they are a great bunch of people.