One Lucky Dog

Everyone has a story to tell. Some live fascinating lives, some traumatic, others peaceful and uneventful. Most are a combination of everything. And so begins my story.

I was born to a mom, just like all babies. There were 10 of us in the litter so I have 9 brothers and sisters. All went as one would reasonably expect for a large litter of puppies. We fought over who was going to get the nipple with the most milk, who was going to be top dog, and who was going to be the underdog. Everything was going as it should - until my mom got sick and couldn't feed us any longer.

As we were still quite dependent on her for our care we quickly became dehydrated and cold when we couldn't nurse her warm, sweet milk. That's when we met our guardian angel. A kind lady named Lauren, who lived in the town where we were, heard about our plight and stepped in. She talked to my mom's owner and he agreed to let her take us to a vet. I don't remember much of what happened then. All I know is that I quickly started to feel better. I was told she even paid the vet bills for us and our mom. Then a rescue organization brought us to a foster home where we were cared for. It felt really good to be warm and to have a full belly again.

While we spent the next few weeks there we heard a lot of talk about being adopted. I wasn't sure what that meant, but it sounded like it might be a good thing. Meanwhile, while we waited till we were old enough, we played together, chased each other and wrestled, chewed on anything we could manage to get hold of, and when we had exhausted ourselves, collapsed in a heap to rest up for the next burst of energy.

Finally the weekend came for adoption. One by one we met our new families and left the security of our litter for the unknown. I have since heard that all my brothers and sisters live with families that love and care for them.

When my turn came I met this big man named Jim. He picked me up and I felt the warmth and tenderness of his body as he held me close and reassured me. He took me to his truck where I spent the next few hours being held and comforted. He had even brought a friend who could drive while he held me. I fell sound asleep in his arms as we traveled a long way to his home. When I got there I met his wife Sandy. I was really excited to meet my new mom and dad but missed the security and comfort of my litter mates. I was happy, sad, and frightened, all at the same time.

Remi

One thing that made this transition to my new home a bit easier was that there were 2 older dogs there - Sammy, an older Poodle/Dachshund, and Remi, a Great Pyrenees who is a retired livestock guardian dog. Sammy wasn't very welcoming, but Remi was a big ball of warm fluff who had the patience of a saint. She let me pounce on her, curl up next to her, and became sort of my surrogate mom. I found her tail an endless source of amusement and she was very patient when I played tug with it.

Sammy

When bedtime came I wondered where I would sleep. I just knew I would be all alone and cold. Then the most wonderful thing happened. My new mom scooped me up in her arms and took me to bed with her!  As I snuggled in to her warmth I knew that I would always be loved and safe. I've slept curled up next to her every night since.

And so begins the rest of my life. I go just about everywhere with my family so I get to ride in the truck a lot, see lots of places, and meet many new people. Everyone says how cute I am and wants to pet me. Some give me treats. I've heard whispers about dogs who have a rough time in life, who aren't cared for very well, or some who have people who hurt them. For me, I'd say I'm one lucky dog to have found a family who loves me, feeds me good food, and lets me sleep in their bed.

--Cruz