I really did NOT want a puppy. I studiously avoided the puppy room at the county shelter, hoping to find a senior doggie I could give a few good final years to. My husband and I had been to a few shelters and adoption events at PetSmart, but no one really connected with us, or vice versa. So,one afternoon in Jan 2010 we were at our county’s kill shelter and I had almost settled on an older Golden. Until my husband saw HER. I had missed her, she was huddled into the darkest corner of a kennel for a big dog in the adult dog section. I had unknowingly walked by her several times, at first glance the kennel looked empty. Hubby said,”honey,come and see this”, and there she was. Scared and trembling, covered in her own poo and mangy, kennel full of diarrhea. God she stunk so bad I nearly gagged. She was so afraid that I had to go into the kennel to get her, and when I picked her up she peed everywhere. But that face, OMG, there was just no way I couldn’t give her a chance. She was nothing but legs and ears(and that hasn’t changed either, lol). The vet would later estimate her age at around 3 months, she was almost 40 percent underweight.
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I could not adopt her right away, she had been dumped at the shelter that day and there’s a 10 day wait for new arrivals. I held her in the shelter’s quiet room until they made me leave. She was skinny, you could see all her bones, on closer inspection she also had fleas. I didn’t care, I had fallen in love. When I first picked her up, once she stopped trembling, she laid her head on my shoulder let out a sigh and fell asleep. Seriously. This dog was mine. By the time I walked out the door of the shelter that first day, I had named her Abby.
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And so I went back every single day until I was allowed to bring her home. I was honestly afraid she would die before I could get her home. Each day was hell leaving her behind. I cried in the car on the way home each time. She smelled so awful that on that first day in the car I drove home with all the windows open and it took 3 baths to get the smell off.
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Once home, I couldn’t get her to eat, ended up having to feed her by hand and hold her a lot because she was really weak. She had mange, three different kinds of intestinal parasites, a broken rib(from being kicked), fleas and a rash that was oozing and bloody. It also turns out she has food allergies, it took us months to figure out what food would work (Salmon and potato, thankyewverymuch).It’s amazing what love and feeding on demand can do, lol(not to mention $1500 in vet bills).
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She was absolutely terrified of my husband and son for a few weeks, now I cannot pry her off my husband. She’s still wary of my son, I think it’s because he’s tall and rather awkward in that teenage boy kind of way. But she loves him, she watches him get on the school bus and knows when it’s time for him to come home. It also took me exactly 2 days to housetrain her, she’s a quick learner, when she wants to at least.
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Today, Abby is about 65 lbs. My husband had a DNA test done, she is 50/50 German Shepard and Doberman Pinscher. She talks to us all day long, sleeps on our bed and is actually pretty well behaved and very smart. She’s beautiful and makes us laugh every day. I cannot imagine my life without her, and when that day comes(the one all pet people dread) I will be inconsolable. She is my best buddy and certainly one of a kind. I lurrve her. I could go on forever. My son has given her a middle name (for when she gets in trouble,lol), Marie. Abigail Marie. Heh. Did I mention I LOVE her? She came along when I thought I didn’t have a friend in the world,I think she actually rescued me.
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The first pic was taken about 3 weeks after we got her home, the second is pretty recent:
Reader Interactions
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Triassic Sands
How could anyone say no to those ears.
Allen
I really like the pet posts. The truth be known, I like most critters than I like most people. I totally applaud people who rescue pets, be they young, old, well or infirm (pets, that is). Good on you Mom Anon, points should be given you to the FSM for your actions and love.
Less Popular Tim
What a pretty dog. Looks like you got her beefed up pretty good!
Gotta love those “Flying Nun” ears…
snaveca
I love Abby.
RandyH
What a beautiful friend you have there.
I wish I could have a dog, but my 5-year-old, 15 pound lover of a cat is going to have to suffice for a while.
RandyH
I really love the look of Dobermans but they’re so big. Do they make a smaller model designed for city dwellers who live in apartments?
LesGS
@snaveca: I love A Mom Anon. Oh, and also Abigail Marie. Those ears. Although A Mom Anon may also have equally great ears. She does not include a picture of hers…
LesGS
@RandyH: Miniature Pinschers *look* like tiny Dobermans, although they are actually a separate, older breed. They are a working breed, so you have to be ready to keep a Pinscher busy.
Raven (formerly stuckinred)
@RandyH: This whole thing about the size of a dog and apartments is BS.
Love Abby. We had a DNA test on Bohdi too. Some stuffy people say they are BS too. Did you just send a blood sample? The thing I can’t figure out is that Abby looks like what the test said and so does Bohdi. If you do not send a photo it seems pretty unlikely that they could be so close in their prediction.
Asp
@RandyH It’s the energy and temperament that can make you rue the day you got a dog, not the size. My apartment dwelling fiance and I are strongly considering a Newfoundland in part because they are supposed to be quite lazy until you get them near water and won’t lost their minds and destroy your home if you don’t run them ragged every day.
Keith G
Morning happy tears.
Anne Laurie
@RandyH:
Check out the Miniature Pinscher… little bitty dogs, but with serious Attitude. From the ones I’ve met, a well-bred American Min-Pin will not be as ‘hyper’ as a similar-sized terrier, nor as ‘neurotic’ (prone to fixate on one person) as a chihuahua. And they’re mostly good with cats (well, your cat’s bigger than most of them). Stay away from pet shops, of course, and don’t forget that most breed-specific rescue groups are online now!
Warning: Manchester Terriers (12-22lbs) look just like “half-sized Dobies”… but they’re true terriers, i.e. hardheaded little fiends, and not really good “starter dogs” for people whose main experience has been with, say, cats. They’re pretty rare, i.e. expensive, on this side of the Atlantic anyways; if you just want a walking buddy / household companion, a Min-Pin is a safer choice.
Lysana
@Asp: I’m told very large dogs on the Newfie/St. Bernard axis are awesome for small apartment dwellers. They also eat less than many dogs half their size because they’re so sedentary. I’d do it if I didn’t have so much stuff on the floor. Even my humble studio could support such a dog.
harlana
omg, the puppy shot is lethal – beautiful story, beautifully told, beautiful doggeh!
geg6
Abby! LOVE her! A Mom Anon! LOVE her, too!
How you feel about Abby? That’s how I feel about my Otis. Rescues are the best dogs ever.
Internet Dragons
Newfies are definitely gentle giants, but not a great choice for apartment dwellers. I just wanted to toss in that if you are an apartment dweller who wants a medium-to-largeish dog, consider a rescue Greyhound (most of these are rescued from the dog racing industry, and the rescue network for these guys is national).
Greyhounds are total couch potatoes and are just immaculate, which is especially nice when you are living in a small space.
pika
Hooray for you and Abby–this will be the best thing I read all day, and even if ponies were to fly around the Empire State Building and drop 100-dollar bills, this would still be the best thing I read all day.
Daddy Warbucks
This thread is simply untrollable. I’ve got nothing. Cute dog.
Montysano
Lovely post.
Julie
Look at those legs! I bet she loves her walks.
OldDave
I’m with pika – beautiful dog, beautiful story.
A Mom Anon
Thanks everyone. She really is just the best dog.
The DNA test was a swab of the inside of her cheeks. Our vet guessed what she was immediately,but the husband wanted some confirmation. I’d say it’s accurate,how could they know what she was with no photo? When people ask what kind of dog she is and I tell them,they usually say”Oh,of course,how could I have missed that?”
It’s neat to wake up and see your doggie at one of your favorite pet people places.
Triassic Sands
@Asp:
That is all good advice. If you don’t exercise them enough (letting them get fat is animal abuse), they might destroy your home.
This is what the AKC says about Newfoundlands:
It would be a mistake to get a Newfoundland if you don’t plan on giving it enough exercise. They aren’t like some smaller dogs, but you don’t want a bored and annoyed Newfoundland at home unsupervised — there goes your security deposit (not to mention it being unfair to the dog).
JPL
Mom what a beautiful story. I remember when you got Abby and often wondered how she made out. She is a beauty.
Raven (formerly stuckinred)
@Triassic Sands:
It would be a mistake to get ANY dog without giving it exercise.
CynDee
Abby Marie won the pet lotto bigtime. So glad for all of you in the household.
Emma
OOOOH. Thank you. Now I can start my day with a happy heart.
Fulcanelli
This post made my day, thank you.
Shepherd/Dobie mixes are our favorites, we’re on our third, although our boy Max 2.0 has some yellow lab mixed in.
Smart, loyal and funny he’s as much family as our daughters are, as is his sister Maya a Rottie/Spaniel(!) mix.
Our dogs are with us 24/7 as we take them to the office every day, one of the benfits of self-employment…
Abby’s a sweetie, that’s a truly great thing you did for her and you will be rewarded in kind.
Southern Beale
Damn. Those ears! THOSE EARS!
What a cutie!
I can’t get past those freakin’ ears!
WereBear
@Asp: I had a Newfie mix who just wanted to lie on my feet. All day. They are love in a BIG package. He got his exercise twice a day, and he was done.
I adore Abby’s story. Sometimes it’s just chemistry, and meant to be.
I’m a huge dog fan as well, but now that I’m older and have a disabled family member, I soooooooooooooo appreciate the “being there” side of cats even more.
Josie
Beautiful story. In the second picture, you can see the love and happiness in her face.
Libby
What a great way to start the day with this beautiful, happy story. /wipes tear from corner of eye…
bmcchgo
I’m a grown man and I’m crying in my morning coffee! Thanks for the great story and inspiration Mom. I’m currently looking for that right furry companion and I just got approved by the Lab Rescue organization!
WereBear
Also, about Newfs: NOT for leaving alone in the apartment all day. They get very lonely. However, getting TWO could work…
harlana
oops, i should rephrase, puppy PIC is lethal, and yes,the ears, oh my (also love the enormous puppy feets) – considering what shape she was in when you found her, you can see just how much 3 weeks of loving care can do!
daize
What a wonderful story.
Carnacki
What a beautiful girl, she is!
Carnacki
@Southern Beale: Like beautiful bat wings
Linda Featheringill
@bmcchgo:
Good for you! Many years of happiness and joy.
Linda Featheringill
A Mom Anon:
Lovely puppy.
It’s good to read a happy story from you. :-)
Trinity
Thank you for sharing this great story A Mom Anon. :)
She’s just beautiful.
merrinc
Wonderful story. Abby’s a love and so are you for rescuing her. Best to you both.
MomSense
NSFW-because of the tears.
Please scratch those fabulous ears for me!
Mino
It has to be said. Newfies have oily coats and in a small space, the odor could get a little strong.
gogol's wife
@Keith G:
Same here. I looked at those ears and fell immediately in love. What a nice story.
Joy
What a beautiful dog and story. I had big tears in my eyes. Thank the heavens you found each other. And the thing about the middle name? My dogs have them too for the very same reason – when they get in trouble. What a beauty! I think I hear Chloe, my rescue animal, messing up my bed.
Nikki
Thank you for not clipping her ears. They are freakin’ amazing! She’s beautiful! Thank you for this story.
tesslibrarian
This post made my morning. Thank you for the story–it’s just lovely and so happy.
As someone whose rescued cat also rescued her many times over the years, I know exactly what you mean about LURVING Abby. There is nothing quite so special as that pan-species partnership.
Bulworth
A really great story. So glad you could save Abby and give her the love she deserves.
Jane2
What a lovely story about a great dog! It’s wonderful when the fates toss you a good one.
mick boyce
that is a gorgeous animal.
Woodrowfan
what a great story! gotta go hug my dogs now.
CaseyL
Wonderful story to start the day off – thanks, Mom Anon! Many blessings to you and your family, including sweet Abby.
Michele
As we say in our home, the best dogs are used dogs (and the best cats too)! I hate reading that she was so picked on, but wonderful endings do help so much. Thank you for loving her.
Exurban Mom
So, so, SO cute. Love the story, so glad she survived to become a part of your family.
Paul in KY
Wonderful story. Thank you for sharing it.
MazeDancer
Spectacular blessing for us all to read about such wonderful love. Thank you for the grand post.
For the dogless considering changing that:
Min-Pin lived above me. Not a nice dog. Yappy and aggressive like so many people let their small dogs become. And had that overly bred, designer dog, neurotic vibe.
Newfie’s need cold and snow. And lots of it. Do not get one if you have any hot climate. Knew someone’s Newfie who was so sweet and so miserable in the heat. Also, they drool. Constantly. As do St. Bernard’s.
I’ve lived a lot of places and work at home. So I’ve learned that dogs are pack animals and many bark all day, with broken hearts, when they’re left alone.
Consider two or three cats if you have to work long hours.
ruemara
Who, who could say no to those nomalicious ears! And that nose. the total face. And that cuddly demeanor. Wondrous story to break me out of the morning finance funk. Thank you for rescuing him, Mom Anon. This was a great story. Speaking of rescues, Kage and Takkun have decided they are bookends. I don’t think they’ve even fought for a minute, it’s just been play and lovings. Of course the fact that I’ve caught them frenching… I support love in all it’s flavours.
Lizzy L
I rescued a GS/Dobie cross — 1 year old, scared and hiding in the back of the cage at the shelter. I named her Jubilee. I had her for ten more years, and she was a great dog. Your pics of Abby remind me of her. I am so glad you found her, and as for the folks who had her and mistreated her — karma.
May you have many more loving years together.
quannlace
Mom Anon, you are going to heaven!
pat
Let me say also that I am glad you did not crop those great ears or tail. I hate seeing dogs with just a tiny stump of tail that doesn’t even cover the thing it was meant to cover.
karen marie
@Internet Dragons: One difficulty with Greyhounds is stairs. Because they are kept in kennels when not out running, they have no experience with them. If you live in a walk-up, it will take a bit of time to get them used to going up and down, but especially down.
seans1mom
LOVE THIS STORY!!! I too love animals more than humans! A rescued pet is the BEST pet!! Always loyal and appreciative! Last year I was diagnosed with breast cancer…about 2 months after my major surgery I rescued a blind 5 month old yellow lab. He had been kept in a cage (that was too small)because the stupid human that had him didn’t know what was wrong with him. It took me all of 20 seconds to fall in love (and to realize that he was blind). I took him home to my family (husband, son, daughter, golden retriever(Tucker) and two cats (Linus and Benny) – everyone accepted him with open arms/paws. We promptly named him Cooper. After a trip to the vet, which revealed that Coop was pretty healthy – just blind with some curling in his front legs and toes(remember that cage), Cooper was set with his new family. That was 1 year ago! Don’t know what we’d do without him!!!
WaterGirl
Tears over here, too. Wonderful story.
There is a lovely book called “Found Dogs” with photos and stories, one pet to a page. Really sweet. There were two sequels, as well.
I think we should create a version of Found Dogs at Balloon Juice. It would make a lovely holiday gift for pet lovers (or anyone with a heart) and we would likely all want one for ourselves, too.
It might be able to put a couple of creative out-of-work or under-emplloyed Balloon Juice folks to work for a little bit, too, if we were able to pay for the work with profits.
Does anyone think this is a good idea?
CatHairEverywhere
What a wonderful story! Made me tear up, too. Such a sweet, pretty girl. I hate to think what she endured before she found you, but I am so glad her story has a happy ending.
Wally
Over 40 years ago, my wife and I also chose our very first dog together in a manner similar to Abby’s adoption, although our Daisy was not nearly as bad off. If all of us who are able could adopt a dog and/or cat (we are a 3 dog/2 cat family now), perhaps the kill rate could dwindle to near zero. Does Abby need a sibling?
God bless you for your kindness to Abby and to all animal adoptive folks as well.
Libby's Person
A Mom Anon, what a wonderful story! Abby is incredibly lucky. (Of course, so are you!) Thank you for caring enough to save her life. And I don’t think there’s anything cuter than a young GSD or GSD mix, with those outsized ears and paws!
WaterGirl, I love the idea of a Found Dogs project for BJ. I adore my Found Dog, and bore people with pictures and stories whenever given half an excuse.
comrade scott's agenda of rage
I love these posts.
What a cutie.
Please give Abby a scritch for me and lots of virtual hugz to you for giving her a Forever Home.
trollhattan
Cute puppeh is cute! Giant paws and floppy ears in photo 1 are utterly disarming. Enjoy every day with her.
JCT
She’s beautiful and looks so happy — the ultimate mitzvah.
Just grinning away here.
asiangrrlMN
@A Mom Anon: It’s good to see you, A Mom Anon. And, Abby is a sweet, gorgeous girl. Her story went from heartbreaking to soul-nourishing in seconds. I’m so glad the two of you (and hubby!) found each other.
@seans1mom: Your story is wonderful, too, and I hope you are doing well with your recovery.
@WaterGirl: Cosign, if we can include cats. Or maybe have a separate books for cats. All proceeds can go to Charlie’s Angels Rescue. COLE! Get on it!
Culture of Truth
wow, what a great story
travis
Awesome. Thanks for adopting btw. Anybody in Colorado looking for a buddy, I have a rescue that is overflowing with good dogs http://www.alpinedoghouse.com .
JenJen
This thread brought a tear to my eye and made my day. :-)
Delia
Thread is probably dead, but I have to say it brought a tear to my eye also. Beautiful story.
moe99
Got home from chemo and read this. Best thing all day. Thank you.
A Mom Anon
@moe99:
Aww moe,I hope you feel better soon. Chemo sucks.
As for the rest of you,thanks so much for all your outpouring of sweetness and your own stories. I totally second the book idea too. LGF has a cook book,you all have done a calendar,so why not a book?
WaterGirl
@asiangrrlMN: Way late back to this thread – my mac has crashed more times this week than in the last 10 years – Safari 5.1 socks bad – and I forgot all about this thread until now.
As I was writing the suggestion earlier, I was thinking about submitting a story about my sweet kitty, never noticing the disconnect. Yes, of course there would either have to be a book that contained both dogs and cats or separate books. I say separate sells more books. :-)
I also thought about the proceeds going to a rescue.
(even later as it turns out because I discovered this morning that I had never pressed submit!