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My First Thankful Thursday Post!

By
Real Estate Agent with Broker Associate PenFed Realty 0496522

For my first Thankful Thursday post I would like to introduce Abigail.  I call her Abby, Abbysmell, and anything cute that pops into my brain at the time.

I wanted a small dog.  I have been a dog parent for many years but they have always been large.  You see, my dogs are rescued.  Shelters usually have large dogs and I just cannot resist their big brown eyes.  The sadder the story, the more likely I will welcome them into my home.

My husband is an even bigger sap than I when it comes to these hairy creatures.  He refuses to adopt from a breeder because he says there are too many good dogs put down every day.  By adopting from a shelter you are not only saving a life you may put an irresponsible breeder out of business.

It is no big surprise he was against me adopting a Chihuahua.  His argument was that I shouldn't waist good money on the purchase.  He said they are yappy and always under your feet.  He was concerned it would be hard to train and my other dogs wouldn't get along with one.  We came to a compromise, I could adopt if I found one at a shelter.

For two years I called shelters.  I put my name on a list at each local shelter and would check back frequently.  It was pain staking to say the least.  One day I was in a store and someone had the cutest little Chihuahua puppy I have ever seen.  I asked her where she got it and she gladly gave me the business card of the breeder.  I was a little disappointed but didn't give her my reasons.  When I went to the register the clerk said, "Hey, why don't you go to www.petfinder.com?"  I explained why I couldn't just adopt any dog and she told me they have shelters as well as breeders on the site.  She happened to have a laptop there and we did a search for the breed in my zip code.  Low and behold, there was one just a few miles away!!!  I called to make sure the dog hadn't been adopted yet and was told, "No, but she has been here a few weeks.  She doesn't like kids and is not in good health.  We will have to put her to sleep if she is not adopted over the weekend."

I jumped in my car and drove there immediately.  When they took me to the kennels I saw many large barking dogs.  In the mix was a tiny Chihuahua.  She was shaking and looked intimated.  I picked her up and could see how skinny she was and it broke my heart.  I knew she was the one for me.  The cost to adopt her was $10.  I had a $20 so I told them to keep the change for donation.

I held that dog in my arms for hours.  I did my best to let her know I was now going to take care of her.  She seemed to understand.  When my husband came home from work he said, "What a cute little dog.  Is she lost?  Are you looking for her home?"  I said, "She is home."  He didn't put up much of a fight once I told him how I came about adopting her.  The price impressed him, to say the least.

I took her to the vet the following Monday.  He told me she had been used as a breeder dog and had been taken advantage of.  She had too many litters and her health was in danger.  She had a heart murmur and four abscessed teeth.  Her hind legs were stressed from all the extra weight of pregnancy, etc... 

I had a long cry after leaving the vet's office that day.  It saddened me to think how she may have been used then dumped at a shelter once she wasn't of any value.  Getting her teeth fixed and getting her well was expensive.  The vet said she may not survive all the work that needed to be done.

I am happy to say she is doing well!  Once her teeth were fixed she started to gain weight and play just like a regular dog.  All the fears my husband had of small dogs where thrown out.  She is not yappy and doesn't get under your feet.  She rules the house over the larger dogs.

I am her ‘main' person.  She sits with me, sleeps with me, greets me at the door with excitement, hangs on my every word and is the only one in my house who really seems to enjoy my singing!  It has been three years now and I cannot imagine life without her.  I learned a good lesson in patience and received a beautiful gift.  My friends say I should have named her Lucky.

If you are interested in adopting a pet I would encourage you to check out your local shelter first.  There are many animals there looking for a good home.  If you are like me you just may find unconditonal love.

In this economy it may be hard to take on an extra expense.  There have been many animals left in foreclosed homes.  If you are afraid of the cost of adopting a new pet but have a big heart I would encourage you to become a foster parent.  The animals are not well enough to be adopted but the medical cost will be paid for you.  Please google it to find out what you can do to help.  It may not cost you anything but a little time.  Is that too much to ask?

Comments (37)

Gary Woltal
Keller Williams Realty - Flower Mound, TX
Assoc. Broker Realtor SFR Dallas Ft. Worth

Mel, we used to foster dogs until they found a good home. This story of yours proves what a wonderfully kind person you are with Abby. Thanks for sharing.

Jan 08, 2009 07:53 AM
JL Boney, III
Coldwell Banker - Columbia, SC
Columbia, SC Real Estate

That certainly looks like a fine adoption you made there. My wife also tries to bring anything into our presence. She once adopted a pot bellied pig because the owner was going to have it put to sleep.

Jan 08, 2009 07:55 AM
Kevin McGourty
Realty ONE Group - Phoenix, AZ

That's great that you help animals that need a home. Cute little guy.

Jan 08, 2009 07:58 AM
Connie Harvey
Pilkerton Realtors - Brentwood, TN
Realtor - Nashville TN Real Estate

Melody, from one dog person to another, this was a great story! She is a lucky, lucky girl. And cute too!

Jan 08, 2009 08:30 AM
Cameron Wilson
Labrum Real Estate - Murrieta, CA
The Short Guy - Murrieta,Temecula,Menifee Californ

She looks like a "deer leg" Mel. We have one and Libby is a good dog who never get under foot. She thinks ever blanket in the house is hers though.

Jan 08, 2009 08:45 AM
Mike Saunders
Retired - Athens, GA

Mel - and the dogs should be posting a thankful thursday for you. Glad you could find one and this sounds like a little kismet involved. My sister in law has a pudgy chihuahua name Libby also. My daughter just got one she name Lucy.

Jan 08, 2009 08:50 AM
Laura Cerrano
Feng Shui Manhattan Long Island - Locust Valley, NY
Certified Feng Shui Expert, Speaker & Researcher

Mel, I have been on that site for a few weeks--no luck yet but Abigail is just adorable and I'm so glad she's found a wonderful home and great mom and dad.  Maybe this is a good sign for me too :)

Jan 08, 2009 11:29 AM
Don Rogers
Keller Williams Realty Chesterfield - O'Fallon, MO
Realtor, Broker, CDPE, GRI, OnullFallon MO & St Charles County MO homes

Mel,

Ms. Abby looks like a real sweetheart.  I do agree about pet rescue there are many out there today.

Jan 08, 2009 11:50 AM
Neal Bloom
Brokered by eXp Realty LLC - Weston, FL
Realtor CRS-Weston FL Real Estate

Well you know how I feel about this subject....we just rescue a pup last week.

Jan 08, 2009 11:55 AM
Julie Chapman
Julie Chapman Broker - Ormond Beach, FL
Daytona Beach Shores, Florida

Mel,

Great post.  We bypassed the shelter and just picked up dogs that had been thrown out on the side of the road........

Jan 08, 2009 12:22 PM
Alisha Harrison
John L. Scott, Belfair - Belfair, WA
Allyn, Belfair and Hood Canal real estate expert!

Ok, so I'm apparently exceptionally emotional right now, because your post brought tears to my eyes!! How wonderful that you were able to help such a sweet dog! She's adorable. Looks like y'all are a good match! ~A:)

Jan 08, 2009 01:55 PM
Cristal Drake
Prudential California Realty - Fullerton, CA
Realtor - Fullerton Real Estate

I love you Mel! You always do such good things. I love you call your dog rhyming names! I do the same for my dog, my cat and my kid. They all get singing rhyming name songs. My dog is the only one that really seems to appreciate it!

Jan 08, 2009 03:45 PM
Christine Wade
Christine Wade - Derby, VT
Operations Strategist / Online Business Manager

Thanks alot, Melody - tears while reading in Active Rain were not on the agenda tonight!  Congrats on finding just the right girl for you.

Jan 08, 2009 05:10 PM
Harold "Hal" Place
A1 Connection Realty, Inc. - Sun City Center, FL

Morning Mel,

Thanks for sharing and taking the time to write this story. The pup is adorable and lucky to be a part of your househild.

Jan 08, 2009 10:55 PM
Richard Weisser
Richard Weisser Realty - Newnan, GA
Richard Weisser Retired Real Estate Professional

Mel...

I was at the shelter on Tuesday ... I want to save them all. Oh, those confused, sad eyes looking at me saying "take me home."

We can't save them all, but we can encourage others to do so. What joy they add to our life, it's truly a blessing!

Jan 08, 2009 11:06 PM
Debbie Summers
Charles Rutenberg Realty - New Smyrna Beach, FL

Mel - Abby is gorgeous, I can see why you fell for her... I'm so glad that she has you, you've changed her life forever.

Jan 09, 2009 12:44 AM
Sidney Kutchuk - Realty Works Temecula Kutchuk - Realty Works Temecula
Realty Works Temecula - Temecula, CA
Realty Works Temecula

Melody, What a sweet story.  That little dog is so lucky!  I have never paid money for a pet and agree with you and your husband!

Jan 09, 2009 02:02 AM
Laura Watts
Positive Properties, LLC - Laurinburg, NC

Mel- Oh my goodness. Now this really brought the tears. I have a Chihuahua and his name is Rascal. Like you, I do not know what I would do without him. In fact, I don't even want to think about it. He is my baby. He gets excited when I come in and If I set down, he wants to be in my lap. I have had him since he was about 7 weeks old.

Jan 12, 2009 04:07 PM
M. C. N. S. Starr
Little Minion TV LittleMinionTV.com TannStarr.com - Briarwood, NY

Awww... that is so sweet. I'm glad you found each other. Very cool. :-)

Jan 12, 2009 05:19 PM
Bruce & Mary Smith
Savannah Lakes Homes - McCormick, SC
REALTORS, Savannah Lakes Village McCormick SC

Melody - We just adopted a 6 week old lab today!  What a joy to see her sleeping next to our 12 year old lab!  Lots of good days to come.  We enjoyed your story!  Thanks!

Jan 13, 2009 10:05 AM