by Charles
With my belly full of a boneless rib-eye steak (medium-rare of course), there’s nothing better than a nice snooze on the sofa. In addition to being National Dog Day, today was MY special day – my 1-Year Adoption Day celebration! Imagine that, one year of my new life in my forever home with Bob and Jun and Nikki and McCay. As I am drifting off to sleep, I can only imagine how my life has changed….
The first part of my life was filled with hunger, thirst, darkness, fights, and survival in literally a dog-eat-dog hoarding trailer. My head was constantly punctured with dozens of bite marks and my ears were shredded as scores of dogs fought each other for the little food thrown our way. The burning in my eyes from the ammonia levels never ended, even after I lost my sight. The throbbing in my mouth from worn and rotted teeth never ceased. This is the life I lived day after day, year after year. And then, one miraculous day some people came and carefully held us and took us away from the terrible, disgusting trailer. I later learned that they were people from the ASPCA and they brought us to a Shelter where we were separated, had our own place to stay, clean air to breathe, and something called a bed to sleep on. I was given clean, fresh water to drink – something I had never had before – and I was given food twice a day! Food that was nutritious and I didn’t have to fight for. The constant biting on my head ended and my belly for once was full.
Lauren handling me to Bob… My happy farewell from the great people of ASPCA in Marysville, Ohio.
Over the next three months, these kind people at the ASPCA cared for me, healed my wounds, and took me to doctor specialists to have my eyes removed and the vast majority of my teeth removed. Some of them brought me to “play pens” to spend a short time with my fellow survivors. All of them had kind and soft words for me, and some I let touch and pet me; it felt strange but oh so good! Some of the scents of the people like Lauren and Joe were constant, others came and went after a few days. One scent from a male person named Bob came and went and then came back again and left again and then came back a third time and then left again. Finally, on the fourth time I smelled his scent, heard his voice and felt his pat on my back there was a big celebration. The whole Shelter came to a halt and everyone stood in lines outside and Lauren carried me through the lines as everyone applauded and yelled words of encouragement to me! Imagine that! Me, a celebrity!!! Lauren then handed me to Bob and said good-bye one final time. Little did I know that I would never see any of these amazingly kind people again; and little did I know what lie ahead. This was the beginning of Day 1 of my adoptive life.
1. looking out the window as we left the shelter; 2. checking out the rest area in North Carolina on my way home from the shelter; 3. leading the way on the sidewalk; walking in the park with Nikki and McCay
Bob put me in the back seat of a car with a soft bed while he sat next to me petting, whispering soft words, and holding me all at the same time. I didn’t know what was going on and I was shaking like a leaf for the next hour or so as Jun, the other male that came with Bob, drove. We drove, and drove and drove. All day and then most of the night. We would stop every hour or so, and Bob or Jun would walk me and let me stretch my legs and eat and drink. Finally, we stopped driving. It was hot outside but we went into this house which was cool. A house that I would soon learn to navigate with my nose markings on the walls and furniture. They had a bed for me and although I could smell the scents of other dogs, soon, we all were sleeping.
The next day Bob and Jun left and I was all alone in the house. Soon they returned and had two dogs with them, Nikki and McCay. But these dogs weren’t like from the trailer. They didn’t bite me or fight with me. They were friendly, especially McCay who quickly realized I was blind and helped me out with where to go. I learned that fresh water and food were ample. We each had our own bowl and place to eat and we all respected each other’s eating space. I was introduced to the backyard where I was allowed to explore without a lease! Oh, how I love to walk in the grass, listen to the birds, and hear the wind blow through the forest beyond the fence. Such joy that I have never even dreamed of.
all smiles on the way home from the park.
And then one of the best things ever happened: All five of us got into the car. Nikki and McCay were excited and so I was, too, without knowing why. This time, it wasn’t a 15-hour ride like before, it wasn’t even 15 minutes. And then we arrived at The Park! Oh, all the new smells of the walking trail through the woods. New bushes and trees to mark and McCay taught me to poop in the woods! Once we got back to the car, we pilled in exhausted but all smiles! I learned that we do this great joy every day!!!
Occasionally, Bob and I go for walks around our neighborhood. I love these walks and the freedom I feel. I lead the way and stay the course on the sidewalks with my nose to the wind, my head and tail held up high, and the joy of knowing that I am free and safe!
Although I had a nice dog bed in the bedroom, I learned that Nikki, and especially McCay much preferred sleeping in the big king-size bed with the humans. I decided if it was good enough for them, it was good enough for me. Once I tried it, there was no going back to a silly dog bed on the floor. Slowly over time I took over more and more bed space as I used my strong hind legs to push the humans to the very edge of the bed so I could have ample room to stretch out. This I now do nightly pressing my body up against Bob or Jun and seeking their warmth like I once had to do in the hoarding trailer.
I settled in to a daily routine: Last one out of bed, go outside, eat breakfast, go outside again, go to the park, and then spend the rest of the day relaxing on the sofa or couch in the house or my favorite spot on the love seat in the lanai. I love to be outside either investigating the backyard or just resting in the love seat listening to the birds sing, the wind blow through the trees or the occasional splash of Nikki as she swims in the pool. I’ve tried the pool a few times but it’s not for me. I much prefer to be the life guard keeping an ever-sharp eye on anyone swimming 😊
1. ahh… the joy of the king bed! 2. chillin’ out in the lanai after a stressful day of doing mostly, sleeping 3. all eyes on anyone swimming; 4. we all scream for ice cream!
I settled into my new life enjoying every minute of it, always keeping close to Bob whenever he was home. Then, one night for some reason we went for a car ride. Nikki and McCay were VERY excited because Bob mentioned the words “ice cream”. I had no clue what it meant but soon we all were in a crowded parking lot. After a few minutes, Bob came back with cups of ice cream for everyone! Boy was it great! The best thing I have every had! I may have lost 36 teeth in my past, but one or more of my 6 remaining teeth are sweet tooths! Oh, how I love anything sweet, especially ice cream.
After this wonderful daily life went on for several months, one day the FedEx man came to the front door with our Chewy box. As usual, Nikki and McCay barked stern warnings that he dare not enter and to get off our property. I didn’t bark but joined in howling for the first since. It was the first time I ever made a noise and I think Bob thought the ammonia levels in the trailer destroyed by vocal cords as well. But he was wrong. I simply realized that this wonderful dream wasn’t a dream at all. That I would never ever wake up back in that horrible trailer. This was truly my new home and this was my new pack. I belonged here. This is where I was meant to be and they all loved me as much as I loved them.
In November we had a big party called Friendsgiving. Although there were all kinds of good food, there were all these new people and sounds and scents. It was too much for me. To this day, I still get very frightened and stressed if anyone other than Bob or Jun come into the house. I smartly retreat to the king-sized bed and, like a good Florida citizen, am prepared to “stand my ground.”
my first time celebrating Christmas Day with my now forever family… We are all excited to open our presents!
In December, for some reason, the furniture was rearranged. This is always a big deal to me because without scent marks it was difficult to see where the furniture was and I once again started bumping my head. But then they brought inside this wonderful smelling tree. We all sniffed it. I was tempted to raise my leg to mark it but I knew better. Instead, one day there was great excitement as we all went and sat by the tree and opened presents. Nikki and McCay had all kinds of new squeaky toys, and I got some as well but I am not a toy dog; I never had them as a pup and really don’t have any use for them. But we all had fun and ate some delicious food of roast chicken!
Shortly thereafter, two things occurred at the same time. We stayed up late one night and I watched the ball fall in Time Square. It was a fun time with crazy antics!
one of the many toys I received for Christmas🙂
1. Celebrating McCay’s 6th Birthday; 2. me enjoying a prime rib; 3. celebrating Nikki’s 9th birthday; 4. me enjoying another prime rib😉
The next day was McCay’s birthday! She turned six. We all had a party with prime rib! Yum-yum!!!
A couple of months later, the very same thing happened with Nikki! She turned nine and got a steak she shared with McCay and me!!!
Then, in the end of May, the very same thing happened to ME!!! They didn’t call it my birthday, but rather my “Rescue Day”, May 25th. This was the wonderful day that the ASPCA came and rescued all of us out of that horrible trailer. It was one of the scariest days of my life but looking back on it now, it was one of the very best days of my life. Finally, I could breathe clean air, eat good food, drink clean water, and have the most amazing people care for my many needs. To this day, along with my collar ID, I proudly wear the ASPCA ID and number I first got at the Shelter. I, too, got a steak and although I was tempted to eat it all myself, I shared it with Nikki and McCay.
The summers are hot and muggy where I live so I’ve adapted by chillin’ out whenever I can in a cool, comfortable place like the family sofa!
Celebrating my “Rescue Day” on May 25th. This is now my new birthday as no-one seems to know the exact date of my real birthday.
I have also taken up my protection responsibilities and enjoy eagle-eying the backyard woods for any potential intruders.
And finally, this week I celebrate Adoption Day!!! August 26th. One-year of being adopted! One year where I have become a stress-free dog as an important member of a family and pack where my unconditional love is returned many times over. The ASPCA said I was between 8-10 years old but I’ve heard Bob say he thinks I look much younger now without any of the stress of the trailer. Those horrible days are behind me and I look eagerly forward to many years ahead of loving and being loved! I thank my lucky stars for the ASPCA and each night, before I sleep, I fold my paws and say this prayer:
Now I lay me down to sleep,
The king-sized bed is soft and deep.
I sleep right in the center groove,
My human beings can hardly move.
I’ve trapped their legs, they’re tucked in tight,
And this is where I spend the night.
No one disturbs me or dares intrude,
‘Til morning comes and “I want food!”
I sneak up slowly to begin,
And nibble on my human’s chin.
For morning’s here, it’s time to play,
I always seem to get my way!
So thank you Lord, for giving me,
This human person that I see.
The one who hugs me and holds me tight,
And shares their bed with me at night. Anonymous
Goodnight and Thank You!