My husband traveled daily and stopped at a rest stop frequently. For 3 weeks he saw a little persian in the same place, but never could get close to her. As winter was approaching, we drove 110 miles to the rest stop and managed to coax her to come. She was emaciated, weighing only 5 pounds, had ringworm and roundworms. We nursed her back to health and she is now the most precious, loving, little baby in the world.
Last December, our Australian Cattle Dog Roxy was diagnosed with pancreatitis. She required overnight care at the vet's office for a few days. Tommy Pickles, a tiny orange tabby cat, was abandoned at the vet's office in a cardboard box. He and his litter mates were looking for forever homes. While I was visiting Roxy, I fell in love with this little runt. After careful deliberation, I adopted my first kitten. Two weeks later, Roxy was diagnosed with cancer and we had to put her down. It was one of the hardest moments of my life, but I have no doubt that Roxy brought Tommy and me together so he could help our family though that difficult time. Indeed, he proved fantastic comic relief and he is the sweetest little boy. This is Tommy's first picture, and Roxy's last, and one that will always be cherished.
An old neighbor called me just before Christmas, desperate to find safe harbor for 6 horses. Several months earlier, 25 horses had been included in the sale of a church that offered a riding program . The church's new owners had decided to terminate the riding program, and had insisted that the director of the program remove the horses from the property by the end of December. Many horses were sold to students who had been riding them, and to other private parties. At the time Nancy called me the deadline had been shortened - there were 4 days left.
I immediately called my neighbor, Gonzalo, who had made the mistake before of offering to help if I ever had emergency "horseguests". Housing arranged for two horses!!!
Contacted people who might have friends with empty stalls - got an offer from Krissy - 2 more stalls reserved!!!
Called my girlfriend Kelley, and lined up a second trailer...
The photo I posted was Penny "before". Penny is a tough old bird - the only horse I've ever seen willing to challenge Delight. After the starved look went away, we realized that this mare had awesome conformation, & must have been really a looker in the past.
She went to a riding buddy of ours with horse property in Yorba Linda who's never owned a horse. Now Barb rides with her neighbor. Barb trailered to Chino Hills with him, & because of a locked gate it turned into a 3 hour ride. Penny was totally in her element; she came back leading the ride :) Not bad for a 30 year old w/ navicular....
I have an "after" picture - Penny is glowingly lovely! The neighbor borrows her to take his girlfriend camping. Penny is loved & fussed over by Barb.
Tomcat was left behind when his owners moved. He fought hard to find food and survive on the streets but a West Virginia blizzard trapped him beneath a cardboard box for 4 days. Weak and ill when I found him, he fought harder to survive hypothermia and pneumonia. He moved with me to Georgia and is my loving, gentle boy, reminding me every day that life is wonderful by giving me more joy and companionship than I could ever imagine.
We adopted Mojo in September from a Yorkie rescue. He had been in 4 homes over 3 years and then on the streets before he came to us, and he was starving for his forever home where he could be loved and taken care of. Now, Mojo is a happy, playful and loyal dog. His favorite things are walks around the neighborhood, running like a madman in our big backyard, and cuddling on the couch with his family. We thank God for our little Mojo!
This past summer (2008) a beautiful feral mother cat wandered up to the house bringing her tiny feral kittens with her. Once she saw that I was taking care of them she wandered off one night never to be seen again, which was a sad day for me. With the help of a local feline group, I got the little ones spayed and neutered. Even though they only allow me to pet them at certain moments, they love me and I love them. They make me smile everytime I go out to feed them. I cry "Where are my babies?" and they come running from wherever they have decided to play that day. Feral cats are just as important as non-feral...the proof is in the picture.
Miles, our shepherd mix, joined me on my run one cold morning about eight years ago. He had no collar or tags, and needed a home so much that he followed me for nearly 10 miles! How could I not reward such determination? I gave him some dry cat food and water. I checked around the neighborhood and read all the lost-dog notices, but I was already hooked. To my relief no one claimed him, and he became my daily running buddy. About six months later Miles and I were on our morning run. He suddenly stopped by a patch of woods, ears in the alert position. In a moment I heard what he had first noticed: the meowing of a kitten. The little cat was up a small pine tree, but he came down and, fearlessly, approached me and my 70-pound escort. Miles, no great friend of cats, seemed fascinated. Later that morning I brought the kitten some food and water, and came back the next day with a cat carrier. We adopted Tigger, and he and Miles became best buddies, often hanging out together on our back porch.
When we moved into a rental house in the rural TN mountains, I found a small (15 lbs) but loveable dog that had been abused and left behind. I named him Buddy and put food out for him. I already had a large dog and tried to find the new one a home. After a few weeks and no luck, it got cold and I brought him on the porch and made him a house. I was outside about a week later and was attacked by 2 very large mountain goats. I am a very small woman. Buddy ran around the goats biting at them until I could get away and then ran to the door where we both went inside. After that, we named him Brutis. Now he lives with us in the house and I can't imagine life without him! My other dog fell in love with him too! Now both dogs play together like puppies and Brutis is very happy and healthy. Brutis was my savior and he will always be a part of our family!
Lacey (oldest) was rescued from a back yard breeder at 6 weeks...she grew into a show perfect little mini doxie. Sadie was rescued from a shelter where she had been placed by a family that purchased her as a play toy for their 5 children and then decided she was too rowdy for the kids. The two have completely different personalities, but both are my precious babies.
Six years ago my husband's son found this little 6 month old puppy on the side of a busy highway just wandering around. He couldn't keep her, so I took her in despite my 3 cats who didn't like having a dog around. Within a month, she made her home with us and them...and became a cat at heart herself. She is the happiest dog I've ever been around. She wins the heart of everyone she meets. The saying around my house is "Everybody loves the Mooch".I can't imagine my life without my her.
