Our new dog,

[Birky]

Had to take Valentino to the Vet's today to get treated for heartworm. Hope he is okay. When I took him this morning, there was an older lady who her daughter brought there along with a little dog. Evidently the dog jumped out the back window of the car and she ran over it. I felt so sorry for her since she was blaming herself and crying so hard. The Asst came out and said that the dog was looking at them but would have to stay the night to be watched. We adopted Valentino from the shelter and he is such a good dog. Can tell that he was neglected and abused. Doesn't even know how to play or have any interest in toys or bones. He is great with the kids. Hope he is okay after the treatment. It is pretty sad to go to the shelter and see all these animals that no one wants. Our other dog was put down 2 1/2 years ago and we swore that we would not do this again since it is so heartbreaking when you lose them but he feels like he has been with us forever. All house trained etc. I think he must be about 4 years old or so. He acts a lot older and that tells me that is how he was trained to act, not move, not bark. Must have been beaten with his leash on legs because as soon as you go to put it on him, he cowers. We love him already,

 

[Nancy]

Your new dog is so lucky to be part of your family. With your tender loving care, he'll come out of his shell. Probably be little baby steps at a time. His story has a happy ending.

 

[Karlynn]

I hope that he is okay. Does he have heart worm, or are they testing for it? I'm sure he will come around in reaction to your loving care and forget his bad life prior to being adopted. Dogs can be very resiliant.

 

[Christina L]

Marcia,

What a moving post.

Valentino is so lucky to have found you, but more than anything YOU are lucky to have found him.

I will say it again, bless you for going to the shelter and adopting Valentino.

Our little Stanley (bichon) whom we adopted last fall at age 14!! - we can tell was treated probably pretty well - he had one owner his whole life and we do not know the story - we figure maybe it was an older person who passed on. Stanley is very spoiled though - likes table food a lot - and we are trying to change that as he had kidney stone surgery a few years back (per his records).

So many animals are abused and for the life of me, I do not understand how a person can mistreat a defenseless animal (or a child).

I hope all will be will with your new doggie and you will enjoy many, many years of companionship with him. They sure steal your heart, don't they?

Christina L.