Our Angels

We value each and every one of our adoptive families as angels, and sometimes we have some extra special ones. These are people who will adopt a senior with health problems and imperfect bodies, even though they know the emotional toll and the possible extra expense in order to provide a loving home for the remainder of the senior's life.

Such is the case with the family who adopted Goliath, the puppy who had his heart repaired, and then turned around and adopted Papa Smurf, aka Pops or Papa, (see "Scruffy Shih Tzus & More, September 20, 2009), a one eyed older male with fatty tumors, very few teeth, but the most wonderful personality.

The family keeps an eye on the rescue website, and spotted Bella Sue, a senior wirehair mix with the same wonderful personality. Bella Sue has a significant heart murmur and congestive heart failure. They came to meet her. They immediately knew they wanted to take her home, and Bella Sue, Papa, Goliath, and Wrigley all get along extremely well and the seniors are thoroughly enjoying not only each other, but their "new" life.

When I send a dog home, especially a senior, I always remind the family to let the dog be a dog. Let them run and play outside if they feel like it. Let them roll and get dirty if they feel up to it. If they want to take a nap, let them. So, when we got the email from our special angel just yesterday that said "I get it, Bella Sue and Papa are so happy to go out together and hunt the perimeter with their ears back and their noses to the air or ground" - their final days will be spent with the love and companionship, the warmth and security, that makes us so very grateful for those special angels who adopt.

Thanks to all of you out there who have opened your hearts and homes to rescued animals, and a very special thanks to the angels who have given homes to our special needs and seniors.

Merry Christmas!