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On this date, last year, I was adopted.  After spending one month at the county shelter, and facing doggie death row, and four months in foster care with HART, someone took me home.  Someone said "I will love you.  I will take care of you."

From the LADY: [to Maggie:]  I will always love you.  I will take care of you forever.  I loved you when you were only a picture on my iPod that I carried around and showed people.  "This is the dog I'm trying to adopt," I would say as people squinted at the tiny picture.  I loved you when I saw you for the first time.  I scanned the parking lot at the adoption event, quickly skipping over all the dogs that were not you.  When I saw you, I knew I would always be your lady.

Below is a slide show of the adoption event where we met Maggie.  Many Thanks to everyone at HART, especially to Kim who was an awesome Foster Mama. 
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At The Easter Parade
 
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So sad and afraid...
We had a family meeting, and decided to add Bug, the new dog, to our pack.  Mostly the meeting was THE LADY asking, "PLEASE" and the man asking, "Are you sure?"

The New dog's name is Bug.  We renamed her, since bugs squish easily and are pesky. It was really hard coming up with a new name.  She almost was named Scrappy, since she was definitely that.  We didn't want her to stay that way though.  we wanted her to find inner peace and to be able to relax.  We named her Gracie, at the suggestion of our friends.  

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taking Bug home from Richmond Animal League
                 
                           
 
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I'm well adjusted now.  I don't cry anymore when my people leave.  I'm not so scared or sad.  I understand how life works here.  I know that when my people leave, they will always come back for us.  I've given up begging for food and I'm an all around great dog. My medical problems are better.  I've been told that it's now time to help out a new dog who needs a home.  Sofie is doing the best that she can, but she isn't much company.  She sleeps ALL the time and she often doesn't feel very well.  When I can, I'll lay next to her and sleep so she knows that she has a friend.   

My LADY wants me to have a new friend, who is closer to my own age, but I'm not sure yet how I feel about that.  We went to the shelter to look at a new dog.  I didn't like this, because going to the shelter brings back a lot of bad memories.  This new dog smells funny, and  I'm just not sure about this whole new dog thing.  I'm really not sure.    

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It's been just over a year since I was dumped.  This time last year, I was found wandering on the highway.  I was morbidly obese.   I couldn't hear from a bad ear infection and I had a bunch of rotten teeth.  I became a pound puppy, but no one wanted me.  It looked like my future was doggie death row.  But HART stepped in and gave me a foster Mom.  She helped me get exercise, trimmed my diet and got me physically fit. HART found me a forever home.  My dental problems and ear infection were fixed.  I trimmed off some more weight and I feel great now.  I am loved and I have a great family.  Just remember, that if things are terrible for you now, they might be very different twelve months from now.  Don't give up hope.  I'm glad I didn't. 

             
 
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From The LADY:  What am I thankful for this year?  The person who dumped Maggie.  If Maggie's prior owner hadn't gotten rid of her, we never would of met her.  Many people involved in dog rescue spend a good deal of energy hating the other people who abandon their dogs. But I've never gotten caught up in that  kind of thinking.  When we were involved in Greyhound Rescue groups, I never jumped on board with the people who bashed the greyhound racing industry.  Without greyhound races, we never would have owned our two greyhounds.  

I don't approved of how Maggie was dumped.  I don't approve of how the greyhound industry produces thousands of unwanted dogs when they no longer win races.  But I appreciate how these problems resulted in an opportunity to love.  I am thankful for someone else's problem, because it feels so good to fix it.  I am thankful for second chances, everywhere.   
                       
                 
                
                                                                                    
 
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Posted by THE LADY:  We attended the HART walk and homecoming.  Maggie was rescued by the Homeless Animal Rescue Team and we reconnected with her rescue group.  Maggie was able to say hello to her foster mom, who took care of her for four months and helped her take off over ten pounds of extra weight.  Our family was a team in the HART walk and we donated money to help other dogs in need.  Maggie and Sophie entered the costume contest, and hung out with dozens of dogs who were offered a second chance through HART.

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Maggie, Sofie and THE TALL MAN, waiting for the costume contest to commence
 
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NOTE FROM THE LADY:  Trust has settled into our relationship.  Maggie knows that she is safe and is more familiar with the rules and schedule of our house.  We have now started exposing her to a variety of new things so she will be a well adjusted dog.  I walk directly over her dog bed.  I pet her while she's eating.  We've gone for walks in different settings.  I've waved around a yardstick, stuck my fingers in her mouth and have welcomed new people into the house.  The hard part is approaching.  She will visit the kennel for an hour or so for "doggie daycare" so she will learn that it is a fun place.  We'll visit grandma's house.  Later, she will spend the night there, too.  Being able to take lots of different things in stride makes for happier dogs, and people too.

 
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Last Saturday I was adopted.  I now live with Sophie, a Greyhound and the LADY and the TALL MAN.  It was a happy and a sad day all mixed together.  I got to go to my forever home, but I had to say goodbye to my foster family.  My foster mom was a nice, nice lady who took care of me, and I miss her.  I also miss the other dogs who played with me at my foster house.  But I'm willing to try new things, and the new people and  Sophie seem nice. 

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The TALL MAN and I nap after we get settled in at home. It was a really long day.