The Gift of Love written by Diane

July 8, 2008 - Tuesday
Category: Pets and Animals

Hi, I just finally looked at this site for the first time just now and I am sitting here with tears running down my face.
I am mom to two Puggles. A couple of years ago I lost my Miniature Schnauzer to old age. She was precious to me. My then 22 year old son was on the internet looking to see if he could get me a puppy for Christmas. We tried getting a shelter dog on several occasions but because he and I both work full time, we kept getting turned down. I don't know if it's the same everywhere but in NY, you have to go through an extensive process to adopt a dog. I think it's great but I think they go way over board in some things. My parents were dog breeders and my brother is a dog breeder. I am well trained in caring for dogs and actually started going to school for Veterinary medicine at one point. We got turned down for a shelter dog just because we work. That's crazy! Anyway, my son went into an internet site of dogs looking for homes and he found an ad for dogs that needed to be rescued. He found a Puggle and thought that this was the perfect dog for me. he called the number and spoke to the rescuer. She was a Maltese breeder in Kentucky. She said that her neighbors (Amish people) had two Puggle puppies that they abused and abandoned. She took the pups in to get them homes. She said they were brothers and she wouldn't let one go without the other. So, my son and I both paid for their vet bills and air fare and brought them home for Christmas in 2005. My boys will be 3 years old July 12th. they have been a hand full and then some!!!! they have been extremely destructive as puppies and destroyed two full living room sets. they went beyond the normal teething stage and were destructive beyond anything anyone had ever seen. I'm a family therapist and I began putting some theories and therapies relating to people into place with my boys. I know this sounds strange but it worked!!!!!! Some modalities of working with autistic children work with my pups. Anyway, now at just about three years old, they have adjusted and are wonderful boys. I cannot believe that even my family told me several times to "get rid of them"". Would one get rid of a child who needs help???? I guess looking at the over flowing population in group homes and such, the answer to that is yes, but for me the answer to my boys was love and patience and teaching them to forgive for what they went through. Jesse and Andre have taught my son and me as much as we have taught them. I love them incredibly.I love ALL animals but especially dogs. My heart just opens up to every dog I see. I don't have much money but I try and do as much as I can to help in any way that I can. I have heard of a place on Long Island called the North Shore Animal League. They keep animals until homes are found for them or all their lives if need be. They have a program where for a few dollars a month, people can sponsor disabled animals. the money goes for vet bills and to keep them comfortable, etc. I think it's a wonderful program and I'm about to sponsor a few of the dogs myself. I don't know if you would be interested in plugging this on your site or not. The amount of money it costs to sponsor an animal is nominal.

Thanks for this site and please let me know how I can help.
Diane

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