JUNE IS NATIONAL PET ADOPTION MONTH. IN HONOR OF ALL THE ANIMALS THAT HAVE ENRICHED OUR LIVES, TELL US WHAT YOU LOVE ABOUT YOUR PET OR ANY ANIMAL RESCUE/PET ADOPTION STORY.
Free to a Good Home is about Noelle Ryan, a veterinary technician at a New England animal shelter who helps stray animals find the perfect homes. After discovering that she can’t have children—and watching her marriage fall apart after a shocking revelation by her husband—Noelle is left with only her Great Dane, Zeke, to comfort her. But when a carefree musician named Jasper gives her a second chance at life—and at love—Noelle comes to realize that home is truly where the heart is.
HOW TO ENTER:
• From JUNE 18-JULY 31, leave a comment about what you love about your pet or tell us a short story about an animal rescue or adoption.
• On AUGUST 1st, I will announce the three best entries on my blog and website. The third and second place winners will each receive a free, signed copy of Free to a Good Home. The first place winner will receive a Free to a Good Home Book Club package — eight signed copies of Free to a Good Home, a sterling silver “For Those Who Have No Voice” key-chain (proceeds benefit the Mid-Atlantic Great Dane Rescue League), and a Skype call-in from the author.
This contest is open to U.S. shipping addresses only. Here’s to happily ending tales and happily wagging tails!
Click HERE to read the entries and to submit your own!!
36 comments:
On my way to the final class of my Master's studies, I was waiting at a light and noticed some small moving object in the street. It was a tiny baby cardinal. I put on my hazards, got out and scooped him up. He (I have no idea what its actual gender was) was the cutest thing I have ever seen -- all head with two little legs sticking out and the brightest orange beak. I walked over to the shoulder, up a grassy hill, and placed him by the edge of the woods. He didn't thank me or acknowledge my presence, just went back to walking along his way. As I got back in my car, I glanced at the car behind me. An old, bald, Italian man behind the wheel clapped his hands. Wonder that two grown men can be moved by such a small piece of innocence. No I don't want a free book; I just wanted to get the posts rolling. Thanks for supporting my wife's book!
A year ago I mentioned to old babysitter who I knew had rescued kittens in the past, if she knew of any kittens that needed a home. To my disbelief, she currently had kittens that she rescued from under a tree on the property of her apartment complex. They were only 4 weeks old but their mother had abandoned them. That very afternoon she brought a black and white kitty to my house and I bonded with him immediatetly. I picked my kids up school and they could not believe what I had done! Oreo has been with us for a year now and while it has a been a trying time for my poor furnture, and I have threatened to send him "to the farm" more times than I can count, he is now a part of the family and very quirky and loveable. I guess he's here for good now:)
I didn't personally rescue any animals. However, when my parents first were married, they got a dog because my (late) paternal grandpa rescued her from almost being hit by a car. Her owners didn't care about her and were trying to fight with my dad and grandpa just for the sake of fighting. My parents ended up keeping her and we had her till Christmas 1983 when she died of natural causes.
When I was going into 7th grade, a family friend told us about someone she knew whose neighbor was abusing their beagle by leaving him out in the hot sun all day. The neighbor rescued him and gave him to my parents.
Gwynn, so nice to see you here! And I love your story about Oreo!
Melissa, thanks for sharing your 2 animal rescue tales--glad they both had a happy ending!!
St. Patrick's Day 1986. It was raining cats and dogs. As we were sitting down to corned beef & cabbage, we heard a dog howling. Hubby went to the backyard to investigate. Came back & announced that when the next door neighbors moved out, they left their dog behind. We had to help the poor thing, so he brought her over to our patio & we got her some food, dried her off, etc. "Not keeping her," I said.
The next day we went to the vet who declared she was a golden retriever suffering from distemper. He said he would try to nurse her back to health. One week & $1,500 later, we were the proud new owners of "Lady," the most beautiful, loving, gentle retriever you can imagine. Along the way, she also had vaginitis & mange, but after months & months of my nursing her along, she regained her health. After a few more months, I paid off the vet's bill.
She lived to be 13.5, and both of my sons adored her. They chased her around the backyard, riding her like a horse when they were toddlers. She was 85 pounds of pure love. She would have laid down her life for those boys & even though she died peacefully in her sleep in September 1998, I still miss her and often swear that my little Sophie -- so much like her in temperament but in a much smaller package -- is our Lady reincarnated & returned to us.
Sophie is a mutt we adopted from Pets 'n' Pals, the local shelter. That's where we got Buddy, too. Did I mention that we are total animal people? :-)
JHS
Colloquium
jhsmail at comcast dot net
One day, being hungry for lunch, I went to a nearby strip mall to get a sandwich. In the parking lot, I saw a medium-sized dog, a beagle mixture most likely, wandering alone amongst the parked cars. Attached to his collar was a LONG piece of rope, I would say 30 feet or so. Being an animal lover and concerned for his safety, I called to him and he immediately came to me. A very friendly and likable dog. I certainly couldn't just leave him there, and I noticed that as luck would have it, he was wearing a tag with a phone number on it. So foregoing my sandwich, I took him to my car and we drove back to my office. I called the number from his tag and left a message on the answering machine about what had transpired. Now this incident took place in the days prior to cell phones, so I could only leave my office and apartment phone numbers. Throughout the afternoon, I would frequently check on the sweet dog in my car, giving him water to drink, or letting him out for a quick stretch. The end of the work day came and no return call, so I took him home with me and stopped by Kroger for a can of dog food so he wouldn't be hungry. The evening wore on, when finally, the phone rang. It was his owner! Yeah! He wasn't a homeless, uncared-for stray, but someone's beloved pet. She explained that she and her husband kept him tied out back while they were at work and somehow he had broken loose and gotten out of the yard and across the street to the strip mall. She came to pick him up, VERY thankful for my kindness. But here is the best part...she said her husband had been so down on people lately, always saying how there aren't any nice people left anymore, no one does anything just to help strangers, etc. and how my actions that day Proved Him WRONG. That made me feel really good. The End.
Let me start by saying that Tuffy is still kickin' it! I was at a Friend's house in Mt. Airy watching little boys slalom on bicycle, up and down the rear alley. I didn't realize at first that their obstacle was a stray Siamese kitten. When I was finally driven to intervene, for some other reason, I was sure they had run over the cat from the way that it walked: back legs only, endless head-over-heels somersaults. And the kicker was... the kitty was enveloped by fleas. Nasty fleas!
So she kept him. Turned out he had CP: cat palsy. But with time he learned to walk up and down stairs, and even catch cockroaches. Tuffy now lives in rural PA, mushroom country.
Denise, your story is so encouraging--I love it!! I can't believe you kept him in your car all afternoon and kept checking on him!
And Pete--what a bizarre cat rescue story. Tuffy probably loves it out in mushroom country. Thanks for the assurance up front that Tuffy made it!
My mom started adopting dachshund in the early 60's, way before it was trendy to rescue dogs. There was an informal network of women in her area who got together and would get phone calls from local vets and shelters that knew of owners who could no longer keep their pets. Some of these puppies stayed with us and others were returned to their owners when their situations got better. My mom usually ended up keeping the incorrible ones--those that barked, bit, and dug. They were all model citizens after spending time with her. Although we were always told that if we were bit, it was our fault since the dogs were doing what came natural to them after their time of being mistreated. She would talk to them, massage them and baby them.
I have the last one of her rescues with me now since she has passed on two years ago. Yes, that cute little dog in my picture is Schatze and probably the best dog I have ever had.
I was never really a cat person-however almost 3 years ago a cat showed up on my porch. How did I know if you feed a stray cat you will be feeding it forever. My adorable kitty-started living in my backyard-I had just had surgery and was home for a period of time-while it took her awhile to come inside I would play with her outside and made her a home. Eventually she started coming inside and then I just fell in love with her-she became part of the family. Unfortunately she tragically passed away too soon-we knew we needed another pet in the home-she had brought us so much love and happiness-we ended up getting two more cats-a brother and sister (from a rescue of course). Thank you to Buttons who introduced me to the world of kitties).
Mary, your mother had such a cool attitude toward those incorrigible pups. I love that you said the dogs were "model citizens" after she took care of them. And I'm so glad you still have Schatze!
Esme, Buttons sounds adorable. I am so sorry you lost her, but happy that she got you to rescue two more cats. Animals really do change lives!
I love our chihuahua Lola because of her anxiety of being alone. Sounds weird, but one of our family always has her attached to us somehow. Right now, she's on the bed next to me while we read blogs. She loves to curl up to "read" every night as well--I get the book and read, she cuddles very close. Recently, with my husband's cancer diagnosis, she's taken it upon herself to make sure he gets a daily dose of "momma-dogging", lots of doggie kisses when he seems down the most. She's better than any watchdog we could ask for, and she's taught my sons a lesson in responsibility--they never complain about walking, watering, feeding, or bathing her. We never asked for a dog in our lives, but when my sister was moving away, we gladly took her in and she fit in with us like peanut butter and jelly (a favorite snack of hers when she can get away with it!).
My husband and I have 5 chihuahuas ranging in age from 15 yrs down to 10 yrs. My baby is a White, Grey and Tan 10yr old little girl. She is either on my lap or in my arms all the time. She sleeps in my arms or if she is hot she curls around my head. I love her so much that I don't know what I would do without her. She follows me every where. I am disabled so I really love that she wants to be with me so much.
Five and a half years ago I went deaf. I didn't fully accept my lot in life. To say I was mad at the world is putting it lightly. I shut out everyone out and became a recluse, living in a prison of my own making. There would be days, I stared longingly out the window wishing I had the courage to tackle joining the living again.
Therapy began and one of my therapist suggestions, was to research late deafness on the internet and see what I could learn. Before long I came across a website for hearing dogs for the deaf. Of course I was skeptical, besides I rescued strays and rehomed them, a dog would scare them off.
Long story short, I would be able to get a dog acclimated with cats and for reasons I can't explain...took the plunge.
Pickles arrived in my life 4 years ago. A Katrina surviver. She had been shuffled from one shelter to another until the agency I got her from rescued her. This dog who had survived impossible odds, had the quirkiest, most loveable nature.
People always tell me I rescued her, truth is she rescues me every single day I walk out of my home, free and loving life.
I know this is already long, but I couldn't leave without mentioning the woodpecker. We went outside one Spring morning and Pickles kept staring up a tree. My gaze followed hers to the woodpecker and I smiled. I wouldn't have known it was there, without her. Believe it or not, she's the one who taught me to hear with my eyes. (Hugs)Indigo
P.S. The stray cats? I still rescue them. Funny thing is they all allow Pickles near them; At times touching nose to nose, before they'll allow human contact.
All of my animals are rescues from either a local shelter or the race track. Yep, I have retired greyhounds and two sweet shelter cats. My oldest cat is 15, Houdini and my youngest is Owen Beanie who is named after the famed character in A Prayer for Owen Meany.
Anyway, up until last week I had four greyhounds. Sadly on Friday July 2, Webster crossed over the rainbow bridge and joined so many who have led the path before him. Webster was not only save once, but twice. The second time I adopted him from a bad situation, not the track but his forever home that turned out ugly for him.
I was a foster parent for many ex-racers but when I failed twice and ended up with four adorable hounds, there was no room in the "Kennel".
All of my fur-babies give me tremendous joy each day. I grieve for the loss of Webster, but he will live on in my memory..always.
Pet adoption is so important and so necessary.
Thanks for this wonderful book, and promoting
National Pet Adoption Month.
Wisteria Leigh
Meredith, what a sweet story about Lola and how she's nursed your husband with love. Dogs really are the best medicine!
And Jellybelly, so nice to see that you're a chihuahua owner, too--5 of them?? Wow!
Indigo, your story is so inspiring. I am so glad Pickles has helped you to hear with your eyes--love the woodpecker story!
Wisteria, I am so sorry to hear about Webster, but yes, animals lives on in our hearts forever. I love that you rescue both greyhounds and kitties!
I am so touched by all of your stories. It is going to be very difficult to choose!!
I was in college when my childhood dog passed away, and about six weeks later I was feeling a definite ache for some doggy company. A friend and I decided to head over to the local no-kill shelter to play with the dogs, neither of us ever guessing that I was about to lose my heart to a scruffy black dog in the first kennel...
I was a poor, starving college student, so affording a dog was out of the question. But someone up above had a plan for that adorable black dog. Over the next eight months I would often visit him, and on several occasions I took him out for the day so he could get some time out of the shelter. But one day I finally was financially stable enough to take him out of the shelter for good.
Blackie just celebrated his sixth Adoption Anniversary. He's like my right arm: Without him, I'm not complete, and I was lucky enough to marry a man two years ago who understood and accepted that Blackie and I were a package deal.
I adopted my dog at the local pound. Initially I wanted a pedigree dog, but when I saw this beautiful blonde mixed terrier in a cage with a big German Shepherd my heart leapt and I was in love. This dog wasn't exactly a puppy, but she sure was unhappy. She lay quietly in the corner of the cage, looking up at me with big soleful brown eyes. The attendant told me she was eight months old and pregnant (Why was she in a cage with a big male dog?)All I knew was that there was a connection so strong, I couldn't leave her there. I adopted her immediately and took her to the vet. He examined her and cited a list of her problems: ringworm, roundworm, ear infection, fleas, tics and because she was pregnant at such a young age, she probably wouldn't be able to carry the litter to term and would most likely die in childbirth. Well I cried for this puppy, and The vet did all he could. She had to have the litter aborted, and I suffered with her. He gave me medication for her, I nursed her back to health. The rest was history. She and I became the closest of friends. We did everything together; we traveled by car, by plane. We played in the park. Everywhere I went she came with me.
Then one day she saved my life. This is probably another story, but there was a gas leak. She sat in front of the stove and barked and barked. She just wouldn't stop barking. Finally I called the maintenance people and they detected a leak. They said the oven was about to explode. This sweet, loving dog, whose life I saved, saved mine in turn. I adore her, my constant companion, Bambina.
bgcchs(at)yahoo(dot)com
I have always wanted a cat of my own. I grew up with them at my dad's house but I never got to live with them full time. After I finished graduate school I needed to decide where to settle down. My boyfriend wanted me to live with him and I wanted to be with him. But the problem was he lived in another state and it was a big move for me. After much consideration I agreed - on the condition that he would get me two cats.
So now a month and a half later I'm living with my boyfriend. I wasn't sure how long it would be until we got a cat because we are still setting up our life. His mother told us about her sister who had three cats. Her newest cat, Tiffany Friday, was picking on her other two cats. She needed to give Tif a new home. When I got home today my new baby ran to greet me. She flew 3 hours to get here. I'm so excited to include her in our new family.
allisonsbj3(at)gmail(dot)com
As soon as Sara's picture came up on the shelter's website, I knew she was my dog. After speaking to the shelter owner, I drove the 3 hours to meet her. What a sweetie! She was about 25 pounds underweight, bald in spots due to mange, and she had given birth to puppies. She was a stray that had been a stray from Ohio and this rescue group pulled her out of a pound there (she was 24 hours from being put down). They brought her to NH and started to nurse her back to health. After I met her and signed the papers to adopt her, it was discovered that she had heart worm, which meant I couldn't bring her home until she recovered. The shelter kept me updated for the 4 weeks they kept her. Finally I was able to bring her home. Within 6 months of bringing her home, she became a certified Therapy Dog. She has also won a title in Rally Obedience. She is such a gentle soul. It's amazing that an animal that has been through so much is still filled with so much love and trust.
I love my pet because she is my one true and constant companion. I've always considered myself a "cat person" and never (never ever) wanted a dog in spite of the pleas and begging from my husband and kids. I finally caved; two years ago we adopted the most beautiful and intelligent dog in the world--our yellow lab Madigan. To make a long story short, she and I fell in love. We are always together. Her eyes light up when she sees me (and I'm sure mine do the same). As for the cat...what cat?
More great stories!!
Kate, clearly Blackie and you were meant to be together!
Benita, Bambina's story is incredible! I can't believe you both saved each other life!!
Allison, it sounds like Tif will be so much happier with you!
Nan, I can't believe you got Sara 24 hours before she would have been put down. And that she overcame all her hardships to become a therapy dog--awesome!!
Gina, Madigan sounds adorable! It was meant to be.
Thanks so much for sharing!!
Hello, I love my cat, Chloe, who is a Ruddy Somali. I call her my special needs cat. She has had problems since the day we got her 3 years ago. She has a problem keeping her food down, so we have to feed her small amounts 4 times a day and if she eats anything other than a raw meat diet she has diarrhea [IBS]. She is definitely a mama's girl. I think she also has separation anxiety which is very unusual for a cat. She doesn't do very well when we go away.
She also cries when she wakes up from a nap and cries until she jumps up on lap and get her smooches.
She is definitely driven by her own time clock...like at 5 AM she wants her food and bugs me until I get up and feed her. She also does this at 9, 3 and again at 8.
Chloe is the most lovable cat I have ever had. I just love her to pieces.
RJB
loki304[at]tds[dot]net
My adorable, 16 pound mix Bogie is a dog that I rescued. He is loyal, smart, agile, nimble and energetic. He is loveable and sweet and appreciates this devoted home. I know when we adopted him he was suffering from a trauma concerning men. Obviously he had been maltreated and needed love and adoring. He is getting plenty of this now since he is special. This dog is part of our family and provides us with constant love. He is sensitive, and can read people easily.
I apologize in advance for the length of this story, but it's a bit complicated... I work for a university in North Carolina. A few years ago, one of my coworkers told me about a family of feral kittens that were living with their mama outside a fire exit at the bottom level of our building. Another coworker was planning to call animal control, so I immediately contacted a local rescue group and was put in touch with a group on campus that TNR's campus ferals. With their help, we began the process of trying to rescue the mama cat and four kittens.
We began watching the kitty family and leaving food for them, in preparation for trapping. We also needed to confirm that there were only four kittens, because we didn't want to leave any of them behind. There was a tuxedo boy, a tabby boy, a tortoiseshell girl and a calico girl. Late one night, I went to check on kittens, and saw mama and three of the kittens, but the calico was missing. I could hear her crying very loudly, but I couldn't see her anywhere. I went down to the area where the kitty family was living, and was able to catch the tortie by cornering her. Mama and the two boys had run off. Once I had the tortie, I put her in a box in my car and went back to check for the calico. I discovered that she had fallen into a storm drain, and was about 7 feet underground. (There was a pipe leading from outside the fire door of my building to the storm drain for water run-off, and the kittens would hide in there. The calico fell off the end of the pipe and down into the storm drain.)
I called animal control and campus police, and campus police called the university's facilities folks, and sent out a couple of officers. I had pried off the grate from the top of the storm drain and one of the officers climbed down into the drain to try to reach the kitten, but couldn't. Animal control showed up with a net, and someone had the idea to run some water from another storm drain higher up to "flush out" the kitten. The facilities guys went to the higher up drain, trained a hose down the hole, and turned on some water, while I laid on the ground and held a flashlight and the animal control guy held a net ready to scoop up the kitten. It worked! Out came the little calico riding on the water. I was never so happy to have a wet kitten clutched to my chest as I was that night.
The next day, we managed to trap mama cat, but had seen no sign of the boys, and were afraid something had happened to them. Two days later, we were still baiting traps, and I came into work that morning and there was a boy in each trap! So we managed to TNR mama and rescue all four kittens.
I ended up taming and adopting those kittens. The storm drain kitten was named Piper and always remained a little feral, the tortie was Bella, the tux was Felix and the tabby was Xander.
Unfortunately, their story has a tragic ending. In 2007, two nights before my 31st birthday, I lost all four kittens, a fifth cat, Pip, and all my belongings in an apartment fire. I managed to escape with my two small dogs, but the fire was already in my apartment when I woke up, and my apartment was completely engulfed in flames by the time the fire department reached us. I still miss my kitty babies terribly.
RJB, Chloe sounds like an adorable baby! So sweet...
Traveler, I love that Bogie got a second chance with a wonderful family.
Kelli, your story is both heartwarming and tragic. I am sure your rescued kittens had a wonderful life with you, and I am so sorry for your loss.
This is a bittersweet post for me. I just lost my dearest cat who I rescured 13 years ago. For 15 years I have been helping feral cats after a mama cat and her 3 babies were eating bird food that had spilled from my feeder. I have lots of stories but this is the one that I hold dearest: One night I heard the eeriest noise outside - it was very loud in the quiet night and I could not identify the animal that was making it. It turned out to be the tiniest kitten covered it what turned out to be motor oil. A mother cat that had just had 4 kittens returned this one for what I know was to be for me to care for. Later I saw that she too was covered in the oil. After a trip to the vet and instructions for his care I spent the next weeks caring for this tiny bundle, feeding him with a babydoll bottle and even letting him sleep on my shoulder underneath my long hair. Ollie turned out to be a large cat and the head honcho (I rescued 7 more as the years passed amd fixed and found homes for many more). He never backed down and was the king of the household. Just this past year his mother passed outside and he had a sudden illness too. I have to think that oil did it's damage to his mother at 15 and he at 13. I shudder to think what is happening to all those poor animals in the oil spill.
My husband and I have rescued many cats in the past few years and found homes for a lot of them. Some we have adopted or kept, some have adopted us!
My favorite story is about my cat, Sadie who is almost 3. One chilly, windy night in September 2008, my husband was outside playing with a couple of our cats. He saw a very small kitten stumbling down the sidewalk, listing from side to side. She looked about to collapse and had no hair on half her body. The rest of her hair was dirty and dusty. My husband brought her in the house and we gave her food and water. She ate a bit, drank a little and found a spot on our bed and went to sleep. Several times throughout the night she got up to eat some more. We named her Sadie. In the morning she ate again and was walking around, exploring our home a little bit when she suddenly collapsed, having a seizure. Very shortly after that the same thing happened again. We rushed her to the vet where we found out Sadie was exhausted, dehydrated and malnutritioned and had a terrible flea problem. Other than that she was okay. She needed lots of sleep and TLC and a good diet....and many flea baths! For 6 months or more Sadie slept on our bed, usually in the safety of my husband's arm which Sadie liked to have curled around her. She got up a few times during the day and a few times at night to eat and drink. The cat's litter box was downstairs and for several months my husband carried Sadie up and down the stairs to use the litter. Sadie would sit at the top of the stairs and wait to be carried down to the litter! Her legs weren't strong enough yet to go up by herself. After a few months we thought that Sadie might not play and run around like other kittens do, maybe her early life had been too rough. We were content to have her sleep on our bed or anywhere she chose for as long as she wanted. Butlittle by little Sadie started to go up and down the stairs by herself. And one day she played with a piece of paper towel a little bit. But that was it for playing.
Until suddenly after 6 months or so, Sadie got up one day and after eating, started to play and run and behave like most kittens do! It was amazing and wonderful. Some days she was so crazy and played so much we thought she might be making up for lost time!
Now, 2 years later (almost) Sadie is a small but chubby kitty with tons of thick, fluffy hair and big beautiful green eyes. She thinks she's a queen and makes cats twice her size run from her in fear! Sadie loves attention but only on her terms and we love our Sadie and giving her attention!
Sadie is a great example of why I love rescuing cats who have been abandoned, left behind or are strays who want homes.
Thank you!
~ Amy
Aimala127 AT gmail DOT com
I wasn’t sure I was ready for another dog, having just lost my beloved dog of 15 years six months earlier. My family was ready, however, and we began searching on Petfinder.com. I had three criteria: it had to be female, small, and not a puppy. My children saw the picture of Biscuit and begged me to put in an application for adoption. You guessed it – he was a male puppy. I wasn’t worried since the cute puppies are adopted quickly, so I figured we didn’t have a chance. I was certainly surprised when his foster dad called two days later and said we had been picked from dozens of applicants to be his new owners.
Initially, Biscuit was also small, but he has grown into his big feet. It took months for him to win me over, as I was not prepared for the demands of a young, rambunctious, destructive puppy. However, he and I had plenty of time together, and a bond developed that I didn’t think was possible with another dog, His intelligence was apparent from the beginning, and his cuteness was undeniable. Biscuit is a wonderful family dog, but he is definitely mine, and doesn’t let me out of his sight. I take him on errands and even trips with me, and he has become quite the traveler. Unlike my two children, he doesn’t complain about my books on tape and doesn’t ask, “Are we there yet?” Biscuit attracts attention wherever he goes with his calm, friendly disposition and good looks. I’ve even had offers to sell him! He is in training to be a therapy dog, and should bring joy to others in this new career. I can’t imagine what my home, and indeed my life, would be like had I not adopted this incredible dog.
A year later we adopted a friend for him - THIS time a female non-puppy! Completing our menagerie are Tom, our dog-like cat, and Peanut and Cashew the guinea pigs. All are rescues (even the piggies!). Thankfully, my husband loves animals almost as much as I do.
Thank you for supporting animal adoption!
Patti in NC
In November of 2009, my husband and I decided to go to the Petsmart adoption weekend at a local store. We went with the mindset that we were just "looking" and had no intention of getting another dog. We already had a rowdy (yet extremely lovable)wheaten terrier.
When we walked in, I couldn't believe how many sweet little faces were staring back at us. After a few minutes I saw a tiny black poodle/schnauzer mix jumping up on the sides of the pen. She was looking right at me and wagging her tail. She looked almost exactly like my childhood dog Maggie.
I went over to pet her and she immediately started nuzzling my hand and pawing at me.
We took her out of the pen and walked her around the store for a few minutes before we decided that we just HAD to rescue her.
We found out that she had been abandoned and was severely malnutritioned and was obviously beaten. I fell in love immediately. We named her Sookie and took her home to meet her "brother" Brooklyn.
Since we rescued her she has gained 3 pounds (from 8 to 11) and is doing well. She had a few siezures last month which was terrifying. We took her to the vet and they said it is most likely from past trauma :(
She has been siezure free for a few weeks and doing better.
She and Brooklyn are the best of friends and can not live without one another.
A few days after we brought Sookie home, I had to have surgery to remove a cyst from my face. After I got home from the hospital, Sookie stayed by my side and slept curled up next to me for three days straight. I felt like she knew we saved her and was comforting me in return.
I am so happy that we decided to go to the adoption weekend and that we have saved a mistreated animal from being put down.
Catslady, I am so inspired that you helped rescue so many cats, and very sad about the residual effects of the oil. I know--every time I think about the wildlife in New Orleans, my heart breaks.
Amy, I'm so glad Sadie rebounded. Animals are so resilient if provided loving care! Thanks for rescuing her!
Patti, Biscuit sounds so smart and sweet. We adopted our dog Maggie as a puppy even though we'd sworn against it. If it's love, it's love. Your little menagerie sounds wonderful!
Melissa, When we adopted our dog Maggie, it felt like fate. She was going to be taken to a big dog adoption fair the very next day, so if we hadn't gone to the shelter that night, we would have missed her. So glad you decided to go to the PetSmart adoption weekend. Sounds like Sookie and Brooklyn are best buds!
A few years back my family and I were looking for a new dog to add to our pack on petfinder.com. After a couple days of searching for the right dog, we found Lusi (We named her because she and her sister were just called the Girls). Her story broke our heart. She was rescued from a puppy mill in southern MN along with hundreds of others. She was fed ROADKILL and had most likely never left her cage. She was only a couple of months old, but she was already a new breeder. Luckily she was rescued in time and was not yet pregnant. She was extremely shy at first, especially with men, but has settled down to liking everyone but strangers. She is now loved and has at least 5 different beds to choose from, including my own. She is my life!
crazypplrok@gmail.com
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