Adopting a Dog: Testimonials #3

This is the third post with testimonials about adoption. I am so excited to see how much love people put in to the writing of their stories, That reflects kindness and a desire to show others what a blessing these dogs are in their lives. This week's testimonial is from Gloria and her dog Sonny:

"While fostering my second Brittany our state coordinator sent all volunteers a photo of a 12 week old puppy, looking for his forever home. His mother and 2 of his siblings had been surrendered and had already been adopted. He was the runt, last dog left. Having no plans to ever raise a puppy again, I asked about his personality. He was described as a middle of the road type dog. PERFECT. The hook was set.

Training a puppy, what was I thinking? WOW, what work! Will I be able to exercise him enough? Other challenges? Yep, he got mange, developed a limp with his growing pains and has a calcium deficiency and broken teeth. Luckily everything is under control now. Sonny stoically withstood being medically probed, creams applied, and medicine given.

Sonny’s personality developed into one of the most flexible dogs I have ever encountered. His easy-going nature, his fearlessness, and his joy of play readily welcomes every dog (and human) into his home. He shares his toys, food, humans, and furniture, whatever. Sonny makes sure each dog is exercised to their individual ability. When he plays with a puppy or small dog, he somehow becomes a small dog. Sonny can take on the big dogs, too. Labs, Setters, Aussies, bring them on; he’ll play on their level. If a dog wants to dominate, Sonny is ok with that. If they are submissive, he encourages them to relax, be comfortable and secure. With Sonny’s expert help, confidence is quickly built. He shows other dogs how to sit, come and generally how to behave in and out of the house. It all seems to come naturally for him. Sonny is equally content to entertain himself as an only dog or party with a group of dogs. Oh, and did I mention he is a cat-like dog?He’ll climb on anything. His favorite place to nap is on the back of a couch.

Sonny has been a great addition to our family and a super asset to ABR. With his assistance, fostering is more rewarding. He has a job to do. He trains, exercises and offers friendship. Sonny really enjoys his work.

Sonny passed the Canine Good Citizenship Test and he was only 1 ½ years old. Sonny is 10, now the oldest after our Dalmatian passed away at 16 1/2 years. He is a big brother to two other rescued dogs." - Gloria, Florida

This is Mimi, Gloria's last showgirl dog. Sonny grew up with Mimi. After she crossed over the rainbow, her family decided to get into fostering.

Adopting a Dog: Testimonials #2

This is the second post on a series of testimonials about pet adoption and how those experiences can change people's lives. Read the beautiful story of how Leslie from Florida adopted Barney and Jet, a wonderful experience! I am also posting a video of actress Jennifer Love Hewitt, speaking at the Ellen DeGeneres show on how their dog Duke rescued her family, and not the other way around : ).

These are Leslie's stories:

"Barney, Siberian Husky and Golden Retriever, is 12 years old.  He was rescued from the Human Society when he was 10 months old.  He was there with his brother, who we never met, and had been adopted twice and returned twice – why, because he had too much energy and was really protective.  I wanted a running partner, a dog that would keep me safe, and be a companion to the family.  Boy did I get a runner.  His endurance, thank you Husky, is amazing.  His beauty, thank you Golden Retriever, is astounding, people compliment us all the time – like we had something to do with it.  What we got is one of the smartest, majestic, graceful, gracious, protective, loving, purposeful, kind, and intuitive creatures I have ever known.  He smiles, he cries, he talks, and he laughs."

"Jet, Black Lab and Greyhound (we think), is 6 years old.  He was rescued from the SPCA when he was 2 years old.  He had been in a kennel in North Florida for almost a year.  When we got him, he had a bad injury to one of his front legs, his back left leg was half the size (girth) of his right and he would not use it. When we got him home, he threw up.  We took him to our Vet and he had 4 kinds of intestinal worms in his vomit.  Today, he is easy going, fun, tolerant, playful, happy-go-lucky, sweet, gentle, goofy, and he eats everything in sight.  He too has become a runner, thank you Greyhound, but he is such a jock – tries for that 4 minute mile.  His sheer black coat (thank you Black Lab - his name is really Jet Black) is shiny, he has no limp, and loves everyone.Barney rolls with it and Jet gets rolled over by it." - Leslie, Florida

And finally, the video from Jennifer Love.

http://youtu.be/9Tw96N_W9UQ

Do you like to share your story on the blog? Contact me or leave a comment.

Adopting a dog: Testimonials

I love to hear stories about pet adoption. It is an act of kindness and also a big change to the dog and to people's lives. You save an animal with a loving home and that changes your life in ways that only you know and feel. I will be posting regularly on the blog testimonials from people who adopted or rescued pets.

I am starting these series with my friend Nilda. I witnessed the blessing that "Chiquita" brought into to her life! I will also share my own experience with "Winnie".

"When Chiquita came into my life, I had no idea what having a dog entailed. After 3 days of fostering her she had completely stolen my heart. Caring for a dog has allowed me to expand in many ways, from new neighborhood friends to frequent quality time in nature. Dogs are awesome! My heart has expanded in ways I had never known, by the experience of unconditional love she offers me. Chiquita is an angel sent into my life, and I feel truly blessed and grateful for the experience". ~ Nilda, San Diego

This is my own experience:

"Winnie lived on multiple homes when she was a puppy. The first year of her life, she didn't experiment love and kindness and she was scared of people because someone didn't treat her well. My mother and I decided to take Winnie to live with us and it was a blessing. Our doggie Camila had a new friend after losing her mom Samantha, and Winnie had finally a HOME, her own home, her own family. Now she knows that love exists and for us is a gift to have Winnie in our lives". Rosa Fierro, San Diego

Do you like to share your story on the blog? Contact me or leave a comment. I love "Love stories"!