Zaphod's Story

Pet's name: Zaphod
Adopted by: Kristen and Drew
From: Catahoula Rescue Ontario, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada

Kristen and Drew's dog Hailey appeared on From Alone to Home in September 2011, and they recently found their new family member, Zaphod, after deciding that Hailey would benefit from a companion. You can read more about Hailey and Zaphod at Kristen's blog, The Hailey Chronicles.

After nearly a year of being a one-dog family after the tragic death of a beloved pet, I began to think about adding a second. Our lives were about to profoundly change as we moved from a small house in the city to a large house on two acres in the country. Hailey, the current canine pack member, suffers from anxiety and we thought a companion may help. Also, we knew being in the country would not offer the same daily canine contact that the city did.

I started by putting feelers to Catahoula Rescue, from whom we had rescued Hailey. I started with the disclaimer that while we adored Hailey with all her energy, anxiety, and craziness, we were looking for the opposite, someone calm, cool and collected. Gloria, the head of the organization, gave it some thought and suggested we meet Zaphod, whom she described as a gem of a dog. He had been picked up as a stray (which made his foster mom think of hitchhiking, which made her think of The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, which made her pick the name Zaphod) and had been in a local pound, severely underweight. Gloria had removed him from the pound and put him into foster care.

I admit to being slightly nervous about meeting a German shepherd mix. As a child I knew one who was aggressive and possessive. I didn't want to paint the whole breed like that, and I knew that at the dog parks, shepherds were Hailey's favs. We went and met him. Our first meeting was a little disappointing. Hailey was completely not interested, likely because we were in a new place trying to force her to play with this strange dog. Zaphod was very quiet and calm. We left thinking maybe, but knowing even if it had been a yes, we were moving in a week so it would have to wait.

Day 4 in our new house, Zaphod was brought by his foster mom, Jenn, and Gloria for a second play date. This one went much better, and at the end we knew he was going to stay with us. We have never looked back; in fact, although it hasn't been three months yet, it feels like he has always been with us.

He truly is a gem and the best dog we have ever had. He is quiet, calm, and obedient. He tries so hard to make us happy. He loves to play fetch and swim in the lake. He can generally be trusted off leash (as long as the deer or foxes aren't in the yard), and if he does run out of sight usually runs back within one minute. He respects the cats and loves to play with Hailey. He is a very gentle soul despite a clear history of abuse (if you raise your voice to him or scold, he becomes unnecessarily nervous).

We believe after a few weeks of being with us, he did help Hailey either be less nervous, or so tired from all the playing she is less destructive.

We are truly grateful to have him as part of our pack and grateful to Catahoula Rescue who not only saved his life, but recognized he would be the perfect dog for us.

---

If you adopted a pet from a shelter or rescue group and you'd like to share his or her story, please email me. I'd love to hear from you!

Jay Boogie's Story

Pet's name: Jay Boogie
Adopted by: Josh and Kristin
From: Lollypop Farm, Humane Society of Greater Rochester, Fairport, N.Y.

When Kristin and her boyfriend (now husband) adopted their first dog, they named him after a dear friend of Kristin's whom she had lost.

2006 was a year of unplanned, life-changing events for me, a rollercoaster of emotions and relationships. In May that year, I lost my best friend to suicide, leaving me empty, angry, and feeling utterly alone. When I met Jason six years earlier, there was that instant spark where two souls connect instantly, creating a bond of a lifetime, or so I had thought. He was my voice of reason, the expert on relationships, and one of the few people who truly understood who I was. He was the very definition of a best friend who was always looking out for me.

And that's why it hit me so hard that morning in May right before the Memorial Day holiday weekend. The phone call with the unexpected news brought a surge of emotions, questions, and some soul-searching. I had lost one of the closest people to me and suddenly had a huge void in my life. Ultimately, I found the strength inside to be positive every day, to try to enjoy the beauty of life that my friend had refused to see, and to promise that I would not let a tragedy direct my path in life.

So I hit the reset button and focused on moving forward. A few months later I started dating a guy I had met online and we were instantly inseparable. Our relationship progressed and one night, the talk about owning a dog came up.

To be honest, I didn't take the conversation seriously as we were celebrating at a friend's wedding, and as my head hit the pillow that evening I murmured to my boyfriend, "Sure, we can go to the animal shelter tomorrow morning to look at dogs." The next morning, I woke up to the excitement similar to a child on Christmas morning waiting to go downstairs to open presents. Only that morning it was my boyfriend reminding me of my promise I had made a few hours earlier and informing me when the shelter opened. I'm one to stick to my word and I thought I would at least humor him by going to look.

We were some of the first to arrive at Lollypop that Sunday morning in October. We walked together up and down the kennels, silently making mental notes of what dog seemed to suit us best. At the end of the hallway of kennels, we turned to each other and asked which of the dogs we were most interested in. We both had fallen in love with the same rottweiler mix puppy called Bam-Bam. Looking behind the wire cage, we had felt the same bond with this then-tiny ball of fur. It was his first day available for adoption and at eight weeks old he was a red-haired brindle puppy with floppy ears and monster paws. “You know he's going to get big, right?” my boyfriend said as we filled out the paperwork to visit with the puppy. Having grown up with a bichon frise, I thought, "What's big—50 pounds? No problem!"

"We can call him Jay—after your best friend," said my boyfriend, who had never met him, but knew what his friendship had meant. The tears welled up in my eyes and I knew that while I had lost a best friend earlier in the year, I was gaining a canine best friend that day (and that my boyfriend was a keeper).

A lot of people ask where Boogie came along in his name. That's his personality—he just boogies all over. I once caught him tap dancing in the bathtub. One day I came home early for lunch, and as soon as I walked into the bathroom, his red head poked out from behind the shower curtain, eyes large as if I caught him eating a piece of cake, with a look of panic that I had just witnessed an embarrassing moment for him. He has so much zest for life and pleasing people that you can't help but love him, all 98 pounds that he's grown into. I remember the first time we took him to the park during winter and he discovered ice. Jay would run and slide across patches of ice, seemingly delighted with this new-found pleasure.

One of the things I love most about him is that he loves educational programming on TV—seriously. Obviously he loves anything dog-related (even dog cartoons like Scooby-Doo), but he'll glue himself in front of the screen when the Travel Channel is on as if he's daydreaming about running along the beaches chasing the surf.

Turns out that he's a Rhodesian ridgeback mix (with a bit of pit bull), but don't tell him because he's convinced he can fit on your lap and be your couch potato partner. He may look intimidating with his tall stature, large head, and powerful (wagging) tail, but inside is a personality that reminds me so much of his namesake.

Animals can have such a profound impact on our lives, filling places in our hearts with such joy. Jay Boogie brings a smile to my face every day with his goofy persona and the loyalty that drives him to stay attached to our sides, reminding us that he loves us just as much as we love him.  And that I have a best friend again at my side.

---

If you adopted a pet from a shelter or rescue group and you'd like to share his or her story, please email me. I'd love to hear from you!

Boo and Sophia's Stories

Pets' names: Boo and Sophia
Adopted by: Lindsey
From: Sumter Humane Society, Americus, Ga.

Lindsey, who blogs at Cardio Pizza, sent the story of her two dogs, Boo and Sophia. They came into her life separately but are now best friends.

For as long as I can remember I've been an animal lover. I've always been an extremely sensitive person, but I'm especially sensitive to animals. I believe it's in my nature to love animals, but I also grew up around them. We always had a family dog and I don't know what it's like to not live with one! When our first dog Perry died, it was only a few months before we got Alex. It's just so lonely without an animal. While no animal can replace another, they love they share is like nothing else in this world, and I believe that they live such short lives because they come into this world with more love and compassion than any human is capable of. They don't need as much time as most of us do to learn the lessons we need to here!

In 2009 I moved from Ohio to Georgia for a job. I moved completely by myself so I knew that I needed a roommate. And I knew my roommate would come in the form of a dog! After just a few short days of living in the small town of Americus, Ga., I headed to the local Sumter Humane Society to pick out a dog. There were so many dogs and cats that it was overwhelming. As much as I wish I could adopt every single animal in that place, I realistically knew that I could only adopt one. The dogs were so excited to see me, just as I was excited to see them. But one dog looked calm and caught my attention with his one blue eye and one brown eye. I knew this was my dog.

Boo, who was named by the staff, was estimated to be about two years old. He was picked up by someone who saw him on a country road. He was at the humane society for about two weeks before I adopted him. When I took him home he was scared, but he soon warmed up. His personality came out as well. Gone was the calm dog and out was the wild and energetic dog that I know today.  

Boo and I were just getting used to one another when Sophia joined the family. I never planned to have two dogs, but sometimes life isn't how we plan. One morning before work I went to the gas station to fill my car up. Roaming around the station was a cute black-and-white dog. I had cereal in my purse in a baggie and offered some to the pup to see if she would come to me. She did and gobbled the food right up! Her tail was wagging and I could sense she was friendly. I asked the gas station attendant if this was anyone’s dog and she said no and that she had seen the dog here the past couple of days. I then asked the attendant that worked there to help me put the dog in my car and I offered to take her to the vet, where they could keep her for a few days. 

After a few days I checked in to see if anyone had claimed her and they hadn’t. The vet asked if I'd take her to the humane society, so I did. I came up with a name for her and called her Sophia after my favorite character on "The Golden Girls." I had a feeling since I had named her that she would ultimately be mine, but I wanted to make sure she wasn't someone's dog who was lost. Well, after three weeks no one claimed her. I went right to the shelter and picked her up and took her home. Sophia officially joined the family! 

Boo and Sophia became fast buddies. Now, they are inseparable and enjoy playing day-in and day-out. They both are obsessed with chasing squirrels and bunnies, going for walks, and eating treats. They are happy dogs and they have no idea how happy they make me! I feel so blessed to have these two pups in my life.

Adopting my dogs was one of the best decisions I have made. There are so many animals in need of homes and I encourage anyone who is looking to become a pet owner to adopt one. The love and joy they bring into a home is like nothing else imaginable. 

---

If you adopted a pet from a shelter or rescue group and you'd like to share his or her story, please email me. I'd love to hear from you!

Baozi's Story

Pet's name: Baozi (包子)
Adopted by: Amandeep and Kimberly
From: San Francisco SPCA, San Francisco, Calif.

Amandeep, who blogs at 'Deep Trouble, sent this story of his new puppy Baozi (which means "little stuffed bun" in Mandarin) and shared her tale on his own blog, too.

Ever since I was a young boy, I've wanted a dog.^* Growing up, my mom never allowed us to get one because she feared she'd be left to take care of it. In hindsight, I can understand, as my brother and I were plenty of work as it was.^**

My entire childhood was thus spent longing for a dog and getting all the B-list pets I could get my mom to sign off on. A menagerie of parakeets, fish, hermit crabs, snakes, lizards, toads, and jumping spiders paraded through our home, but none filled the void. (Many of these hapless creatures were captured from the woods near my house.)

As soon as I moved out on my own, I thought about getting a dog, but with adulthood came a dawning realization of how much work that would entail. I knew I wasn't quite ready. But still the idea persisted. Every friend's dog that I baby-sat tested my resolve. Every girlfriend I had was measured up as a potential puppy-mamma. Every "sidewalk-adopt-a-pet" event I passed on the street was a crisis.

Eventually, I realized that having a dog was doable, but given the unusually active life I lead, it would be hard to get a puppy and give it the time it needed. I began strategizing. Perhaps an older dog would be the best choice for me given my lifestyle and my various time commitments. Maybe I could pay for a dog-walking service? Eventually, I decided that I should wait till I lived with a girlfriend to truly give this a go, just to have somebody to split the responsibility with.

Early on in my relationship with Kimberly, my current girlfriend, we discussed our mutual love for dogs, and agreed that if we were to ever get a dog, it would be from the pound or from one of the many rescues we know of. There are simply so many dogs that need good homes and so many health issues with purebreds, that we knew we wanted to get a mutt. In this vein, I also tried to convince her that we should get an older dog, since they might have a harder time getting adopted. She was sympathetic, but was dead set on the "puppy experience."

As our relationship deepened, we kept coming back to the dog idea, but mostly to tease the other person by playing puppy brinksmanship:  One of us would dare the other to go with them to the SPCA that very day, implying that the other person was the sole impediment to doggy-happiness. The other person would inevitably be stuck, reluctantly having to play the role of "responsible adult," since they were the only defense against making a change we actually weren't ready for.

Finally, earlier this year, we decided to get married (!), and in talking about eventually having kids, the subject of a dog came up as well. Kimberly signed us up for "Puppy Owner Orientation" at the SPCA, and a few weeks back, we went. The class was thoughtful and informative and we left sobered at the sense of how much of a change a puppy would be, and how much responsibility and complication it would add to our lives. We really treasure the way our lives work now and wondered if we should gamble with our happiness. We talked about it and let the idea sit on the back burner.

Peter's Story

Pet's name: Peter
Adopted by: J'Carlin
From: Humane Society Silicon Valley, Milpitas, Calif.

J'Carlin shares the story of Peter, a stray who now has a loving home.

The frightened pup in the first picture was the morning after his first night home. He had pulled the quilt down from the couch and buried himself in it. He had selected "his mama" at the Humane Society of Silicon Valley. The rest of us were looking at less challenging candidates for the first family dog when the announcement came that "We were looking at Peter." He was a fresh stray at HSSV with no real history there and was not recommended. Not that I had any choice, but I had raised other pups and felt I could deal with a stray.

It turned out that he had been well socialized and housebroken, prior to becoming a stray, but despite ads all over the neighborhood no one claimed him. My guess is that his happy home was foreclosed and the new apartment refused animals. Perhaps they hoped a neighbor would take him in, but it was not to be.

He quickly learned all the social commands and adopted as his job to warn us from the top of the stairs when frequent visitors approached the door. He also learned to stay there so as not to frighten them. The second picture is Peter on station with his faithful and much-mended shark that helps him keep watch.

Advertised as a young adult Chihuahua mix, he ended up growing to twice the size and lost all resemblance to a Chihuahua. A great addition to the household even though breed guesses are all over the map.  

---

If you adopted a pet from a shelter or rescue group and you'd like to share his or her story, please email me. I'd love to hear from you!

Benji's Story

Pet's name: Benji
Adopted by: Regan Landreth

From: SPCA of Texas, Dallas, Texas

Regan, who blogs at The Canary Diaries, sent this story of Benji, her Chihuahua/Dachshund mix. 

I was lucky enough to adopt Benji almost eight years ago. I was a college student with no idea of how being a dog owner could change your life for the better. I had grown up with several different pets, all of which were either rescued from shelters or wandered into our yard and stayed permanently.

Like many people who end up finding a fabulous pet, my then boyfriend (now husband) and I went into the SPCA to “look.” There were so very many dogs, as there are in so many shelters across the country. Benji’s cage was one of the first I went to. An owner who could no longer care for him surrendered him to the shelter. He had such sweet brown eyes and such a calm demeanor. I took him out of his cage and sat on the floor with him. He promptly curled up in my lap and looked up at me. I came to know this as his signature move later. He is a true lap dog. His name at the shelter was Barney, but he was already so serious looking that we wanted to give him a name that had a bit more spunk. I think even then we knew he had more to his personality than he let on.

At first, Benji was very timid. He would bark at everyone, and as he is a Chihuahua and Dachshund mix, he was very territorial of me. But gradually, as he got more accustomed to life with us, he became a little less serious and a little more joyful. He would carefully approach people and lean in for a pat on the head, endearing himself to pretty much anyone he met. Benji loves going for walks, wearing sweaters, snuggling, and playing fetch. He now has a brother and a sister and is a wonderful role model for both of them.

He is the greatest companion, the sweetest dog, and the truest friend. He has taught me responsibility, selflessness, and unconditional love. I say this a lot and my friends laugh, but it’s true, he is one of the best things that ever happened to me.

---

If you adopted a pet from a shelter or rescue group and you'd like to share his or her story, please email me. I'd love to hear from you!

D'Angelo's Story

Pet's name: D'Angelo
Adopted by: Tina Smith
From: Greenville Humane Society, Greenville, S.C.

Tina, who blogs at Park Avenue Chihuahua, sent the story of D'Angelo, who came into her life unexpectedly one day.

It seemed like any other day. Little did I know I was destined to meet the love of my life that crisp October evening. I had thought about volunteering at the local humane society. I was going to do the dirty work that others didn't want to do (clean the cages and walk the dogs). I called the Greenville Humane Society and they told me that they would mail me some information about the next orientation. I checked my mailbox one day to find out that they mailed the orientation information about a day too late—the orientation had taken place the night before. I called and was assured that they would mail out more dates.

The next time I checked my mail box, I was shocked to see that the orientation was taking place that night. So much for advanced notice, I thought. I was tired and contemplated waiting for another date, but something kept nagging at me from the inside telling me that I really needed to go that night. So I went.

The orientation started with a discussion on what being a volunteer would entail and then we were to be taken on a tour of the facilities. It was time for us to tour the dog area. I walked in this big room to see cages and cages of excited, hopeful, and lonely dogs. I tried not to get attached to any particular one. I already had a dog. A six-year-old female Chihuahua to be exact. She was and still is my baby and the love of my life. She and I were just fine all by ourselves.

Just then I spotted this adorable black-and-tan Chihuahua out of the corner of my eye. He was so cute with his little red country bandana on. The thing that caught my eye the most was that he wasn't looking at anyone else on the tour (which was about 15 people) but me. He never took his eyes off me. It was like he knew, he knew I was destined to be his mommy. He was so hopeful as he stood on his hind legs and pawed at the cage. I walked over to him and our eyes met. I knew too. I knew by some divine power that he was to be mine. I kept rationalizing and talking myself out of it. I didn't need or want another dog, especially not a boy dog. Boy dogs mark all over everything and they like to hump things. I lived in an apartment. I couldn't afford another dog. And the list of excuses went on and on. But somehow I knew. I fell in love with him instantly.

I was assured that he would still be there when I finished the tour and that I could come back and visit him after it was all over. When the tour finished I returned to the dog cages but he wasn't there. I went into the lobby and saw a lady playing with him. I thought she was going to adopt him so I took it as a sign and headed for the door. But I couldn't leave, I just couldn't. I asked her if she was going to adopt him and she said, "no." She said that she was a worker and she would take turns letting a dog out of its cage so it could run around for a little while. I played with "Andy" (that was his name then—I changed it later) until the humane society closed.

I asked about his history. I was told that someone dropped him off at the humane society because they were moving and couldn't keep him inside. Really? He was seven pounds. How can you not keep a sweet little seven-pound dog inside your home? Then I was told that he was adopted out again and that he was returned a week later for reasons unknown. This poor little sweet dog had been tossed around like an old stuffed animal and discarded. Little did I know that it was God's plan all along. It was God's plan for me to find him, adopt him, and save his life.

I asked what time the humane society opened the next day—10 a.m., I was told. So I called my boss and asked if I could take my lunch break early. I took my friend and my little Chihuahua Patti Marie with me the next day. I wanted to make sure that they liked each other. Patti and "Andy" took to each other immediately. He loved her from the start and she seemed to like him too. We were told to take them to the courtyard and see how they did outside with each other. The courtyard was where the dogs were walked before they were brought back to their cages. As we walked around the courtyard I realized that I definitely wanted to adopt him.

I went inside to find a volunteer. As we headed back outside this poor little dog started to claw the tile on the floor. It was as if he were hanging on for dear life. He didn't want to leave me. He thought since we were going back outside that I was taking him back to his cage. It broke my heart and I adopted him on the spot. There was no way I was leaving him, not even for a minute. He curled up in my lap as we rode home and went sound asleep with such a peaceful look on his face. It was probably the best sleep he had had in months.

D'Angelo with Patti Marie

Once home, I knew I needed to change his name. Andy didn't suit him. As we walked around the grounds of the apartment community, I talked to him. I told him that he was an Angel. Then I said out loud "Angelo" and then finally "D'Angelo." That was his new name—D'Angelo—and he loved it. All I had to do was say it twice and he knew it was his new name. For a few weeks after I adopted him he seemed unsure of his new home. He didn't know if it was permanent or not. As crazy as it sounds, I talked to him. I told him that this was his forever home, that I loved him dearly, and that I would forevermore be his mommy. After that he knew I meant it.

Little did I know that October 14, 2005, would change my life forever. The crazy thing is that I got my Chihuahua Patti Marie on the exact same day six years earlier—October 14, 1999. It was destiny for sure. Almost seven years later, I can happily report that D'Angelo and Patti love each other more than words can express. Since then we rescued two more precious dogs, totaling four puppy dogs in all.

D'Angelo is the most precious, sweet, loving, and loyal dog anyone could ask for. He is truly a gift from God. He is my baby and the LOVE OF MY LIFE.

---

If you adopted a pet from a shelter or rescue group and you'd like to share his or her story, please email me. I'd love to hear from you!

Gracie's Story

Pet's name: Gracie
Adopted by: Christine Zorn
From: The Marshmallow Foundation, Detroit Lakes, Minn.

Gracie's story originally appeared on Christine's blog, A Sugar & Spice Life.

For the past couple of months I've found myself searching Petfinder.com. ... For anyone who is unfamiliar with it, it's a great website to search for adoptable pets in your area. I don't know why (because I certainly didn't NEED another dog ... we have Ella), but I've been looking at the dogs, kind of waiting for a perfect match for our family to come along.

Casey had been staying with my parents for the last year, because he was having health issues and considering everything going on with Sam, it was just better for my mom to take care of him (he had always been with them quite a bit anyway, because they took him to the lake all the time) ... and we knew that Casey was near the end of his life. So, I would look at Petfinder now and then, thinking "this isn't a good idea" ... but I would look anyway. I'm a total sucker for dogs who need homes (thanks, mom and dad!). I had seen "Blondie" before ... thought she was cute, but I don't know why she didn't catch my attention more.

But then on Tuesday I really started looking at her, and I called the shelter. She sounded great ... friendly, about 24 lbs., good with kids and other pets, about 1.5 to 2 years old. It just so happened that my husband had Wednesday off, so we made the hour drive to look at her while Emily and Gabe were in school. (I didn't want them to know until this was a done deal.) When we got to the shelter and said we were there to look at Blondie the workers all said "Oh, she's a sweetie!" Good sign!

Gracie's Petfinder.com listing

We met her and fell in love. She was sweet, friendly, and tried to give Sam kisses. :) I already had the adoption application filled out so we turned it in and said we'd like to adopt her. They said everything looked good, but that they'd have to contact our vet and our references, so we'd probably hear back later in the afternoon and would be able to pick her up the next day. Well, we were about 3/4 of the way back home when they called and said we were approved! So when the kids got done with school I told them what I had done (they approved wholeheartedly!), and we went back to pick up our new little girl.

We decided to name her Gracie. She's such a sweet girl, and things are going better than I had hoped. Ella is a little bent out of shape. ... Gracie wants desperately to be friends with her and wants to play, but Ella isn't quite ready for that. I'm sure she'll warm up, though, because Ella is also a really friendly, playful, good-natured dog. They have similar personalities. We've had a few accidents in the house, but we had that happen when we first got Ella, too. The behavior "problems" we're having are really minor (like putting her feet up on the kitchen counter). ... Gracie is a really smart girl and I'm sure she'll catch on quickly ... she's still learning how everything works around here.

Gracie with Ella

I can't understand how someone could lose her and not want to get her back. She was in the pound and then in the shelter since October 6th. She's a happy, well-adjusted dog ... not to mention adorable! She's great with the kids, and has such a wonderful personality. We're lucky to have her!

I could go on about how great she is, but I've already gone on too long! I have my thoughts on what kind of mix she is, but do any of you have any ideas? We might have to get doggie DNA testing done just for fun!

---

If you adopted a pet from a shelter or rescue group and you'd like to share his or her story, please email me. I'd love to hear from you!

Cooper's Story

Pet's name: Cooper
Adopted by: Barbara
From: National Mill Dog Rescue, Peyton, Colo.

Cooper's story originally appeared on Barbara's blog, That Was Vegan?

Cooper came to live with us on December 7, 2007. Jason and I decided that year that, rather than buying gifts for each other, we'd each choose something we wanted and buy it for ourselves. Perhaps not the most romantic method, but certainly efficient. For my gift to myself, I adopted Cooper from the National Mill Dog Rescue (NMDR). They're a WONDERFUL organization who rescue, rehabilitate, and rehome puppy mill survivors, and educate the public on the evils of purchasing puppies from pet stores and online. I had recently heard through a friend about the amazing NMDR—and I wanted in on the action! I looked on their website, and although every single dog looked adorable and loveable and everything else-able, I decided to wait until we could visit the rescue. I wanted to see if I had an instant connection with any of the pups. I wanted my new dog to choose ME.

Fast forward a few days, and Jason and I drove out to the rescue. I was sitting on a stool as they brought dogs to me one at a time to meet. Obviously I loved every dog that I saw and wanted to take them all home with me, but I never stopped her from bringing more dogs in. I wasn't done yet. Then she came through the doorway carrying a little black bundle, and placed him on the ground at my feet. Not only was he covered in mud, but his fur was matted too—I really wasn't even sure what breed he was. He was very shy (they called him "Timmy the Timid") and although he wouldn't approach me, he was doing this adorable little "commando crawl" on his belly back and forth in front of me. I knew immediately.

Some paperwork and an adoption fee later and Cooper was on his way to his Forever Home with us. He was about five years old, and had been rescued a few weeks before from a breeding dog auction in Missouri. That's a story for another (longer, sadder) post, but suffice to say my sweet boy was minutes away from a cruel death when he was saved. But all that is in the past, and he's now the happiest pup you could ever meet. He only has one eye, but that doesn't stop him from scampering around the house begging for treats, or sitting on my lap watching while I watch TV. We're best friends, totally inseparable!

Happy birthday Cooper! Thank you for four years of happiness and love and little doggie kisses—and I look forward to many more!

---

If you adopted a pet from a shelter or rescue group and you'd like to share his or her story, please email me. I'd love to hear from you!

Mr. Minchy Spampobello and Frances Serena's Stories: Part 2

Pets' names: Mr. Minchy Spampobello and Frances Serena
Adopted by: Kerry A. Barnes
From: Frances came from the Tompkins County SPCA in Ithaca, N.Y.; Minchy, bred by a "backyard breeder," came from a family who wasn't able to care for him.

Kerry (who blogs at Hamchuckles) sent the stories of her two dogs—Minchy's was posted on Sunday, and below is Part 2, Frances' tale.

Frances' story is a sad one, indeed. We believe she was a breeder at a puppy mill for her early years, then the mill sold her to the research lab at a local university. There, she was bred again and her embryos used for genetic testing. We don't believe she was harmed in any way or overtly mistreated at the lab; the biggest issue was that for the first three years of her life, this beautiful beagle was treated like an object, not a pet. Kept in a cage, never taught to play, known only by the serial number tattooed on the inside of her ear.

When her time was up in the lab, she was adopted out to a student. This young man (who named her Snoop) had her for exactly one month before he surrendered her to the SPCA. I happened to be in the intake shelter when he brought her in. His reason for giving her up? The little dog wasn't housetrained very well, scared of loud noises, and worst of all, wanted to be with him all the time.

I saw her as he brought her in, so confused that this boy she'd already learned to love was discarding her. I knew from the moment I saw her that she was meant to be mine. She spent five days in the intake shelter before I was able to have her meet Minchy to make sure they got along and then finally bring her to our house.

She also suffered from severe separation anxiety and howled so horribly that the woman who ran the intake shelter desk had a hard time hearing the phone. When Serena heard I was taking the loud little beagle home, she rolled her eyes and said, "Good luck! You won't have one minute of quiet with that dog." I wasn't worried, because I'd been taking the dog I'd named Frances out of her run in the intake shelter and up to my office with me for the past couple days. Once out of the actual shelter environment, she was quiet as a little mouse, content to just be near you. When I came into work on Monday after having taken Frances home over the weekend, I happily told Serena how good the little dog had been, and that we were naming her Frances Serena in her honor.

The day Frances came home

Frances had some issues beyond her separation anxiety. Her pelvic floor was weakened from all the litters she'd been forced to carry, and she also needed some reinforcement with her housetraining. She'd spent her entire life in a cage; she'd used the shredded newspaper in her cage as her bathroom. We'd heard that lab rescue dogs are easily overwhelmed by being outside. Having spent their lives in the confines of a space just a few feet square, suddenly being out in the wide open is frightening to them.

Again, my dog behaviorist friend helped us out. She told us to reward her with unusually wonderful treats when she "did her business" outside. She suggested bits of liver, stinky cheeses, premium treats. Nothing worked. My friend said it was time to bring out the big guns—baby food. She said baby food (the pureed meat kind) was the end-all, be-all of dog treats, the ultimate. This was proven to us when we offered both dogs a smear of pureed lamb on our finger and Minchy positively quaked in anticipation. Frances? Nothing.

We finally discovered that the ultimate motivator for her, the one thing that truly rang her bell was … dry kibble. Yep. The regular old dry dog food she ate every day. We had thought it was cute that she got so excited when we were filling her bowl and bringing her her meals. It made us kind of sad, however, to realize what that dry food meant to her. It was the only good thing she'd ever known in her life in the puppy mill and in the lab. She wasn't given treats or even scraps of people food. The only reward she ever got was a regular meal. To this day, six years after we adopted her, she still goes crazy over her dry food. She actually gets up on her back legs and does this sort of hop in front of you on your way to bringing the food to her, like a dolphin finning its way upright through the water.

Minchy and Frances

When we first brought her home, Frances was expressionless. She had shark eyes—doll eyes with no emotion behind them, the result of her going away inside herself so often in her previous life. One of the most rewarding things I've ever experienced in my life was watching those eyes slowly come to life. Watching her learn to trust, learn to play, to begin to find her personality and express it has been the most fulfilling thing I've ever seen.

It's also been wonderful to see how our dogs comfort each other. I remember reading a study that found that the presence of another animal was more soothing to a pet than even their human. Our two little separation anxiety survivors rely on each other and are comforted by each other's presence. They're fond of each other (even though Minchy would rather we didn't know that—he prefers to take a sort of exasperated big-brother attitude to Frances when we're around). Frances gives Minchy something else to focus on; he provides her with consistency. They're starting to play together—just a few minutes at a time—but sometimes, when they don't think I'm looking, they chase each other round and round in the backyard.

While personally I think all dogs are wonderful, there's just something so special about adopting one from your local shelter or rescue group. The satisfaction of knowing you not only saved their lives, but gave them a second (and often better) chance at happiness is enormous. At the shelter, we were convinced that adopted dogs were well aware of the second chance (and third, and fourth, and …) they'd been given and were truly appreciative.  The best way to test out this theory? Adopt a shelter pet yourself!

---

If you adopted a pet from a shelter or rescue group and you'd like to share his or her story, please email me. I'd love to hear from you!

Mr. Minchy Spampobello and Frances Serena's Stories: Part 1

Pets' names: Mr. Minchy Spampobello and Frances Serena
Adopted by: Kerry A. Barnes
From: Minchy, bred by a "backyard breeder," came from a family who wasn't able to care for him; Frances came from the Tompkins County SPCA in Ithaca, N.Y.

Kerry (who blogs at Hamchuckles) sent the stories of her two dogs—below is Minchy's, and tomorrow's post will feature Frances' tale.

I have two adopted dogs who are the absolute light of my life—Mr. Minchy Spampobello and Frances Serena. Both came from unhappy situations and came to us with issues and emotional baggage. It's so enormously rewarding to see how they've grown and overcome their rough beginnings. They mean so much more to me because they needed me so. I worked for several years as fundraising director for our local shelter, the Tompkins County SPCA, a no-kill shelter since 2001, and I saw firsthand the joy and fulfillment that adopting a rescued pet brings to our lives, as well as theirs.

My husband and I moved to the Ithaca area in spring of 2003. We chose where we would live based primarily on the fact that we wanted—needed—a dog. After taking a couple months to settle in, we decided on Labor Day weekend to begin our search. Our SPCA was closed for the Labor Day holiday, but we could view dogs ready for adoption on their website. None of available pets really spoke to us. On a whim, we checked the "free to a good home" ads in the newspaper. There was an ad for a young beagle/Jack Russell pup, a combination we both liked. My husband called; we were one of many interested in this dog. We were persistent, however, and by the end of that day, we had a call back saying that no one else who showed interest was able to take the dog immediately. If we could, he was ours.

We jumped in the car and drove through a pounding rainstorm. Minchy was one of a litter of two. A college student in the area thought it would be "fun" to breed hunting dogs, then realized what he had wrought. When we went into the basement to see our potential pet and his brother, it was like watching two Tasmanian Devils on a rampage. I never even got a really good look at him until we had him in the car 20 minutes later. The family who was giving him up was friends with the student who'd bred the dogs. They agreed to keep one, but couldn't handle both of them.

Minchy was passed around to several homes before he got to us, including a nearly blind elderly woman in a high-rise apartment who thought this very obviously unneutered boy was a little girl. By the time he came to live with us, he had a severe case of separation anxiety, in addition to his intense energy, beagle stubbornness, and Jack Russell intelligence. He was a handful, to say the least.

The minute we left for work (and leaving the house was a major production, involving Minchy hiding and avoiding capture) he would destroy. He chewed CDs that were on shelves in our bedroom, chewed the shelves, tore apart a handful of beaded bracelets, turned his little bed inside out and shredded the foam to bits, and frequently peed on our bed. In spite of all this, we never once thought of giving him up. He was ours, part of our family, and if he was having troubles, we'd do what we could to help him through them.

I started working as fundraising director at our SPCA about eight months after we adopted Minchy, and it was a lifesaver. I got advice nearly every day from the shelter dog behaviorist, who was the one who diagnosed Minchy's separation anxiety. She gave us many techniques for working to quell his panic when we left the house. Having him neutered, as well as learning to use treat-filled Kongs as distractions, helped to calm our boy down and become less destructive. 

Even at his worst, he was the most loveable of dogs, snuggly in a way my childhood dog never was. The first night we brought him home, we'd made a little bed out of blankets for him at the foot of our bed. He took one look at it and jumped up on our bed, burrowing down under the covers between us. I remember he looked at both of us like, "Hey, guys! Nice to meet you! Good night!"

Part 2 will feature Frances' story. 

Frances (L) and Minchy (R)

---

If you adopted a pet from a shelter or rescue group and you'd like to share his or her story, please email me. I'd love to hear from you!

Molly Grace's Story

Pet's name: Molly Grace
Adopted by: Andrea Moore
From: In Harmony with Nature Animal Haven, Orlando, Fla.

Molly Grace's story originally appeared on Andrea's blog, Run, Eat, Date, Sleep. You can see even more photos in her post!

It's been a dream of mine for quite some time to adopt a beagle. I've just been waiting on a landlord nice enough to allow pets and some financial stability. Everything recently fell into place, and I caught myself browsing Petfinder. I usually search for the following: beagle, female, young, and adult. But this time, I didn't eliminate seniors from my search. Grace's picture stole my heart, and my heart broke as I read her bio.

She was a 9-year-old beagle just looking for a lap to lay her head for the remainder of her life.

It only took me a few minutes to decide to email the animal haven where she was living, and I heard from them the next day. I quickly filled out the application and heard back from them the very next day. Karen, the owner of the animal haven, called to tell me I had been approved and gave me Grace's history. She was presumably used for hunting, and the animal haven had rescued her just a month earlier from a kill shelter in Georgia. She was scheduled to be euthanized at the kill shelter, but they rescued her beforehand.

On Tuesday, I was scheduled for a meet-and-greet to see if we got along. From the moment I saw her, my heart melted. I knew she was my dog. The trainer at the animal haven filled me in with more information as well. She was most likely an outdoor dog all her life, so she probably wasn’t potty trained. They probably fed her at the same time with a bunch of other dogs by throwing the food on the floor, so she probably had to fight for her fair share. She also clarified that the vet thinks she's between 6-8, not 9 like we originally thought. Her ear canals are pretty tight, and she’ll need surgery so that an infection doesn’t grow in there. Thankfully, the animal haven will be picking up the tab for her surgery. They also told me I could change her name since she was only named Grace a month ago. So, Grace became Molly Grace.

My mind was already made up before I even met her, but visiting her just made me want to take her home even more. We agreed that I'd be back on Wednesday (the next day) to pick her up, and then I left to make a trip to Petco where I purchased her food and water bowls, food, treats, a bed, and some toys.

When I came to pick her up on Wednesday, she was inside getting all gussied up for her new home. When Karen brought her out in a towel, my heart absolutely melted. This was my little girl! She was shivering from just being bathed, and she was probably really nervous. They gave me her medicines and her medical history, and we were on our way!

It didn't take her long to get settled in the passenger seat. She got a little anxious when we were halfway home, but all she needed was a little petting.

As soon as we got home, I took her on a long walk and then introduced her to her new home. She sniffed every square inch and then quickly found her cozy bed.

We took walk breaks every two hours and food breaks every four hours. When I was at my computer working, she laid right behind me.

When it came time for dinner, I made sure to feed her right before I sat down to eat so we would eat as a "pack" like she was used to. But she eats so much quicker than me, so she spent the next 10 minutes staring at me while I ate. No barking or whining while I ate. Just staring.

We went to bed a little early. I brought her bed in next to mine, but she found a pillow in my closet she liked better. I didn't sleep too well that night. I kept waking up to make sure she was breathing. Kind of like the first time I babysat my nephew when he was an infant.

The morning brought a really early inventory shift at lululemon, so I had to leave her in a confined area for seven hours. She still hadn't pooped since I brought her home, so I was worried throughout my whole shift that I would come home to a really messy bathroom. I left her in there with her pillow, her bed, her toys (which she still doesn't play with), and her food and water. When I came home, she didn't even hear me come in the door. She was fast asleep and snoring with her little head on her pillow, and no messes were on the floor. Yay! She did her business outside when I got home, and she got an extra big treat for being such a good girl!

Today has been a good behavior day as well! She's been enjoying long naps and long walks. She met a few furry friends on her walks today, and she just stared at them and didn't bark. And she got a few compliments from our neighbors about how cute she is!

She's been a fantastic addition to my home. She gives (and receives) so much love! I love that she follows me everywhere and needs to be in the same room as me. My life has definitely changed since adopting her. My life is not entirely my own anymore. Her needs come before mine, and I'm completely okay with that! I'm so glad she's my little girl, and I'm especially happy I decided to adopt a senior dog who only needed a loving home.

---

If you adopted a pet from a shelter or rescue group and you'd like to share his or her story, please email me. I'd love to hear from you!

Willow's Story

Pet's name: Willow
Adopted by: Ruth and Chris
From: Noah's Ark Animal Welfare Association, Ledgewood, N.J.

Ruth (who blogs at Artful Creations by Ruth Welter) wrote the story of her dog, Willow. Ruth hopes that Willow's story will encourage others to adopt, and she is happy to answer any questions about her adoption experience by email.

My husband Chris and I adopted Willow in April of 2000 from Noah's Ark Animal Welfare Association in Ledgewood, N.J. We had just lost one of our Shih Tzus two weeks before, and while I wasn't in a rush to find another dog as a companion for my remaining Shih Tzu, Dudley, when it is right, you just know it. I found Willow on Petfinder, a wonderful site that lists dogs and cats available through different animal shelters and rescue groups. Even when I don't have a vacancy sign out by my house, I always find myself looking at the little souls listed on the Petfinder site. When I saw Willow's little face on that site, I knew we had to make the journey down to New Jersey to meet him.

The shelter asked that we bring our Shih Tzu (Dudley) so they could see our little guy and we could introduce him to Willow. Out from the back room comes Willow, the sweetest and friendliest little Tzu you would ever want to meet. He was found wondering the streets of NYC and ended up in a high-kill shelter there. Noah's Ark took him out to the country and gave him a better chance at finding a new home. The minute we saw him, we thought he would be the right addition to our family.

Since he was found wandering the streets, nothing was really known about Willow. He was thought at the time to be about five years old, blind in his left eye due to some sort of blunt trauma, and was not house-trained in the slightest in all his five years on the planet. He did however have the prettiest, sweetest face and the best personality we could have asked for. Someone at the shelter named him Willow and I loved that name, but most importantly, I thought it fit him perfectly, so "Willow" it was. In another week, when Willow was cleared to leave after his neuter surgery, we went back to pick him up and bring him back to live in New York.

 Amazingly, even though he had never received any house-training, he learned beautifully. We started by taking him outside, and when he did his potty in the yard, he received a cookie. I have to say that the lure of food made him catch on like a light. Before we knew it, he was perfectly potty-trained and has rarely ever had accidents in the house. I think he was definitely more attached to my husband Chris at first then he was to me, but we all bonded in no time flat, and that was the beginning of a long and happy life with all of us together.

Front to back: Orchid, Willow, and Dudley

In the fall of 2000 we added Orchid to our family and she became attached very quickly to Willow. I have to say, he wasn't too happy to meet her at first; she was a full-of-pep puppy that singled him out to be her future play companion. He decided he would be a little grumpy about the whole thing and just go in his crate and hope for the best, that she would just disappear. Not too far down the road from that first shaky meeting, Willow and Orchid became fast friends and play buddies.

Since the spring of 2000, Willow has lived happily with us and our two other dogs. I think by adopting him, we gave him a chance at happiness and he in turn has brought joy and happiness into our lives, just by being with us each day.

I would really encourage others to adopt through shelters and rescue groups; there are so many animals out there that need homes and you really can make a difference for a little life by adopting from one of these organizations.

---

If you adopted a pet from a shelter or rescue group and you'd like to share his or her story, please email me. I'd love to hear from you!

Scout's Story

Scout as a puppy

Pet's name: Scout
Adopted by: Trina and Adam
From: Champaign County Humane Society, Urbana, Ill.

Trina, who sent Scout's story, blogs at Let's Just Build a House, where you can find more Scout photos and updates.

Our dog was first introduced to me by my now husband Adam at the local humane society. I had been basically begging for us to adopt a pet, and when Adam accepted a new job that would require him to be away from home 75 percent of the time, he took me to the local shelter. When the staff first brought the sweet little puppy to the meeting room, he clumsily walked right up to me and plopped down in my lap.

The first night we brought him home, he cried and cried until I of course gave in—I slept on the couch and he slept on the ottoman next to me. I woke up in the morning with him snuggled up under my blanket. He still loves to sneak under the blankets and cuddle.

The only problem was that the shelter had named him "Butch." Not my first choice. His name had to be changed. We decided on Scout. Although, we do call him Butch from time to time when he is being a stinker. We like to say that it was his evil alter ego Butch, not Scout, who chewed on my brand new leather boots. It was Butch, not Scout, who knocked the Christmas tree over when we were at work. Oh no, there goes Butch with the fresh loaf of banana bread in his mouth, stolen off the counter!

Scout is a super happy, playful, snuggly pet. He's a prissy house dog but has a blast every weekend when he visits the farm or the ground where we are currently building our new home. He isn't afraid to jump in the creek, or roll around in the mud. But at the end of the day, is always happy after a bath and snuggling on the couch with us. He really cannot wait to be a country dog next year when the house is finished.

Scout is now three years old and hasn't knocked down holiday decor, or stolen any baked goods lately. He is still playful and full of energy. We love him, and he gives us so much love back every day. We look forward to many more snuggles with him.

---

If you adopted a pet from a shelter or rescue group and you'd like to share his or her story, please email me. I'd love to hear from you!

Grady's Story

Pet's name: Grady
Adopted by: Trisha
From: A home where he wasn't properly cared for

From Alone to Home typically only posts stories of pets from shelters or rescue groups, but Trisha (who blogs at Glass Slippers and all sorts of stuff...) sent a wonderful story and photos of her dog Grady, who came into her life after he was mistreated. His story is a reminder that pets in need aren't only found in shelters and foster homes.

When I was growing up, we only had one dog and a couple cats, but never for very long. Needless to say, I have never been a big animal person. My parents got a dog when I was in college, and that dog is way more spoiled than us kids ever were. I never had my own dog until just over two years ago. My sister-in-law had a neighbor whose dog ran away to their house. They kept him for a week, and then the neighbor took him back. A month later, the poor dog came back to their house. He was so skinny his ribs were sticking out, he was petrified of people, he'd been left out on a two-foot chain in the middle of winter, and the little boy told my niece that they got a new dog so they didn't want him anymore.

By that time, my sister-in-law had already found a new dog. So they asked us if we would take this dog. I hesitated to take a dog; we have a small house and I think you have to be a good housekeeper to have a dog, which I don't think I am! But I couldn't let this poor dog go back to what he had come from. So I agreed, and we got a dog. I think his name was Mickey and my sister-in-law called him Sam. My husband wanted to call him Chevy but it just didn't fit. I wanted a cute boy name for him. While looking through a Sports Illustrated, my husband saw it—Grady, the name of a baseball player on his favorite team, the Cleveland Indians. It fit perfect! His official name is Grady Al-O-Wish-Us or Grady Slim Shady, though we call him all sorts of funny names!

Grady is the sweetest black Lab you will ever meet. You never hear a sound come out of him unless he is feeling protective. He loves water and tries to "eat" it when it comes out of the hose. He loves to play catch, get belly rubs, and lick feet! He's a crazy guy! We don't know how old Grady is; we guess about four to five years old, since he is starting to get gray under his chin. He acts like a puppy because he has endless energy when it comes to swimming and playing! If I get my shoes on, grab my purse, or jingle my keys, he goes crazy because he loves going for rides. He sticks his head out the window and you can tell he is in heaven!

He loves hanging out with his dad, working in the garage or fishing. And he loves hanging out with me when I am in the kitchen cooking. He really is man and woman's best friend. Everyone that meets Grady instantly falls in love with him. I have never met a more well behaved dog in my life—I just hate to think how he got that way. Grady loves it when you pet him and he is always coming up to us and using his nose to lift our arm to pet him. He is so thankful for the attention and love that he just can't stop licking you!

Grady suffers from epilepsy, which we discovered just over a year ago. He is on medication for it and will be for the rest of his life. He loves taking his medicine and if you forget what time it is, he will remind you! He is my baby boy and I love him like a child.

There are days when I want to shave off all of his hair because my house looks like I never sweep. And after a swim in the canal he smells really bad. But I am so thankful that Grady is in our life. I can't imagine not having this faithful companion by our side. He has an amazing personality and so much love to give. I hope he's forgotten about the rough life he had before he was ours. I promise he will never have to live through that again. He has changed our lives in so many ways and I am so grateful that he found his way to us. Thank you Grady for giving us the opportunity to love you!

---

If you adopted a pet from a shelter or rescue group and you'd like to share his or her story, please email me. I'd love to hear from you!

Sassy's Story

Pet's name: Sassy
Adopted by: Albia, Tiffany, and Logan Steers
From: Sylacauga Animal Rescue Foundation, Sylacauga, Ala.

Tiffany sent the adoption story of Sassy, who often appears in her blog, The Cranky Queen. 

On December 18, 2007, I was approached at a local salon by one of the volunteers from the local animal shelter, Sylacauga Animal Rescue Foundation. She knew that we had two Chihuahuas and loved little dogs. She told me there was a black-and-white Chi and an eight-year-old white poodle mix that needed to be adopted or taken in as a foster dog.

I knew my parents were travelling from Louisiana for the Christmas holidays and asked if I could come see the dogs after Christmas. She indicated that the poodle had not eaten in over two weeks (since she was dropped off at the facility) and felt this was an emergency situation. My son, then 13 years old, begged for us to at least go take a look at the dogs.

The following morning (December 19, 2007), prior to may parents' arrival, we visited the animal shelter. Hovering in the corner of the stall was a pitiful-looking white dog shaking and trembling. However, the black-and-white Chihuahua was bouncing up and down like, "take me, take me!"

The volunteer opened the gate to the little fenced kennel and the Chi immediately ran out with my son chasing after him. I walked over to the corner of the kennel, crouched down beside this little white dog, and gently petted her. After I realized that she was not going to bite me, I picked her up. She was uncomfortable in the way I was holding her and immediately straddled my waist like a small baby would do, then briefly licked my cheek! That was it; I knew that this little dog needed to come home with us that day.

The information that was given to me at the shelter included that this poodle mix was brought to the shelter by its male owner. He stated that she was a family pet and was eight years old. His wife had recently had a baby and was experiencing some "post-baby blues." The dog also did not like his owners holding the infant and would jump up in their laps. They were afraid that the dog may hurt the baby. The dog's given name was Sassy.

We introduced Sassy to our two Chihuahuas, Dixie Belle and Ruby Fawn (then one and three years old). They sniffed her and went on their merry way. No growling, no fighting, no barking. Sassy made her "home" under the coffee table. She was dirty and matted, so I did bathe her. My parents arrived and I found she was comfortable with them. She still remained subdued and preferred lying under the table. She did sleep with us (along with the other two dogs.)

After Christmas, a trip to the vet revealed that she was actually about eight years old. The vet said that she had been spayed and her teeth were in good shape. She had one developing cataract in one eye. The vet did find that at one time, she had a dislocated hip that may pop out of place on occasion. We felt that she may have been caught up in a slamming door, because she always hesitated before entering or exiting through a doorway. The vet felt that she was a poodle-bichon mix.

I took her to the local groomer, where they told me that she behaved very well during grooming, and obviously had probably experienced routine grooming in the past due to her good behavior.

The animal shelter did list her on their website for adoption and posted her picture on the bulletin board at the shelter. Six months later, we adopted Sassy, with her official name as Sassafrass Steers!

To make a long story short, our smallest Chihuahua, Ruby, had been diagnosed with Cushing's Disease at eight months of age and was predicted not to live past two years old. After Sassy came, Ruby had a playmate. Ruby is now over five years old. The vet thinks that Sassy was Ruby's guardian angel. She played with her when our other, much fatter Chi did not!

Sassy with Dixie Belle and Ruby Fawn

Since Sassy has come to live with us, she has learned to walk on a leash. She loves to ride in the car. She has learned to play with stuffed toys like our Chihuahuas do. (At first she was not sure about tug-of-war with toys.) She often mimics what the Chis do. She still does not like small children.

She will be 12 years old in December 2011. She has become much more lethargic in the past months. The vet feels that dementia or depression has set in. She no longer sleeps with us, but prefers to sleep in her own little bed. Her cataracts have worsened. Warts are appearing under her fur. We continue to give her the love that we always have, knowing that at her age, each day is precious.

---

If you adopted a pet from a shelter or rescue group and you'd like to share his or her story, please email me. I'd love to hear from you!