Straydog, our Happy Home for Strays
(The hexagon is "The Big Play Yard," which we usually refer to as "the park")
(Photo taken May 2002)
Bill Arnold's Daily Straydog Log
SUNDAY AUGUST 24 2003
Aggressive Dog Jack's mom comes to take him back to their home
Lauren finally couldn't stand her baby being away from her any longer, so she came and picked him up. And Jack was sure glad to see her (as you can tell from the photos below). Maybe my counseling and that of all those who wrote emails about Jack's situation influenced Lauren, or maybe she just realized on her own that the unconditional love between her and Jack was far stronger than all the advice she'd been receiving from others, which advice had persuaded Lauren to give Jack up a week ago. We are all very happy that Lauren and Jack have been reunited, and we're sure they will live together happily ever after.
Yesterday
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Straydog UPDATE posted SATURDAY 8/23/03 at ~8:15 p.m. CT
Bill Arnold's Daily Straydog Log
SATURDAY AUGUST 23 2003
Erin's Adoption Day Report ...
Willie was adopted today!
A man named Wade came into Petsmart early in the morning. He wasn't sure what prompted him to come to this Petsmart, which was farther away from his home than another PetsMart. He soon found himself at our adoption table, and his eyes immediately fell on sweet Willie.
We sat on the floor to pet Willie, and Wade told me about his dog, Norton, whom he had had since he was a puppy. Norton had had to be put to sleep yesterday morning as he was dying of kidney failure at age 12 years and eight months.
We talked while scared little Willie listened, being his normal, timid Adoption-Day self, all curled up quiet, not making a move.
I thought we'd try to walk Willie so Wade could see that the pup really did have sparkle and life. Outside we found a large grassy area at the end of the store, but Willie only wanted to go back inside.
Wade sat with Willie for another hour inside the store, and we exchanged phone numbers, both of us perhaps thinking it might be too soon for another dog.
"This is the longest time in recent days that I've gone without crying," Wade said softly. "It's because I'm sitting here with Willie."
So, Wade left only to return shortly with the whole family: his girlfriend, her son and their two dogs.
We took all three dogs out to the grassy strip, and there wasn't one growl or bark or squabble. After a successful sit-down gathering on the grass, we walked back to the store, Willie trotting ahead with Wade.
By now it was almost three o'clock, and I said, "We're usually packing up and leaving for Straydog now," I told Wade's girlfriend.
"Oh, please," she said. "You don't know how much this really means to Wade. When he left this morning, I didn't know where he was going, but I was hoping it was to get a dog."
We didn't want to break Wade's broken heart again, so after checking with the volunteers, we made the home visit.
Willie was scared to get in and out of the car, but once inside the house everything was great with all three doggies. Soon we took off the leashes, and the dogs all got along very well.
Wade and Willie and I then went for a walk outside, where there are plenty of grassy spots to visit on the quiet road. Wade told me that with the family's staggered schedule there will be plenty of times during the day when Willie (and the other dogs) will be able to go outside.
After walking a while with Willie we turned around and went back to their town home, and Willie lead us back to the right door. Smart Willie!
Once back inside Willie finally was actually coming out of his shell. He sat perked up with his tail wagging.
I felt a lump in my throat and tears welling up as I was saying goodbye to sweet Willie, but I know he'll have the best new daddy ever.
"He'll be sleeping on the bed tonight," Volunteer Pat Seward said as we went to the car.
"Yes, I think so too," I said smiling.
From last night
Erin and Joel and the four unadopted dogs just got home about seven p.m., and then we had some very nice visitors who were very interested in working with Chubs and Cassie, as the couple has Labs and knows a lot about this breed. Erin's still out in the park with them as I snuck in to do this brief "substitute" update.
While still in the van on the way home Erin wrote up a long piece on adoption day, which we'll get to tomorrow. She also got lots of photos. All will come tomorrow. [And did. See above.)
*Bill Arnold's Daily Straydog Log
LAST WEEK
* Email from Jed's new dad, Larry;
* Jack's mom called missing him tremendously [PHOTO OF JACK];
* An email from a daily reader named Jen concerning muzzling dogs;
* Bill tells about the three dogfights he and Pat had to break up 20 years ago;
* Erin reports on today's vet visits and Sunday night's first night shift at Straydog.
* Anthony's surgeon called today with great news - biopsy shows no more cancer! [PHOTOS]
* Puppy Pierce comes home today after yesterday's neuter surgery [PHOTO].
* An email from a reader concerned about Jack's situation;
* An email from Tony the Pony's mom about his "birthday" celebration [PHOTOS];
* On her way home from Straydog in the middle of the night Erin rescues a stray dog [PHOTO].
* Four dogs to the vet clinic this morning: Julie, Alice, Prince and Sunny [PHOTOS];
* The heat (over 100 degrees again today) is taking its toll on our kennel team/caregivers.
* April goes to be groomed, and again we thank Ofelia [PHOTOS];
* Another email with a story similar to that of Aggressive Dog Jack;
* Email from Blind Stevie about a malignant tumor having been removed from his leg;
* Report from Erin about searching for the owner (guardian) of Foxy;
*Adoption Day Saturday, August 30 - PetsMart on Central at Parker in Plano (Texas)
*Our Dogs for Adoption - Shannon's page
*Our Mission & How We Got Started
*"Goodbye, Danny Boy." - An example of the only acceptable use of euthanasia
*When a dog rescuer approaches Rainbow Bridge
If you would like to help with our ever-growing vet bill, donations can be sent directly to:
*Click here for continuation of our homepage with no changes to the continuation in several weeks
