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Luke the Lab has a new buddy named Riley
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StarryID51 said:
on November 16, 2009 10:57 AM ET
Last week I received an email link to a local dog pound. There was a little puppy there and his days were numbered. I found out that he had demodectic mange, and his little face was really covered in acne. But in the photo he had a smile on his little face. I went to see him, and while I was in front of his cage a couple hurried asking for directions to that 'little lab'. I could hear them coming down the aisle talking about how they would take him home as soon as possible. They pushed up to his cage, saw him, made a disparaging remark about how pathetic and ill he looked, and walked away. I heard them ask the kennel assistant if that really was the little lab mix. The answer was yes. So I stayed and talked to the little guy. The kennel manager walked up and I asked her what his chances of adoption were. Surely he would be adopted because everyone wants little pups. She shook her head - 'he is curable, but right now he is not puppy cute'. She asked if I saw the couple dismiss him as a potential pup. She then said she thought he would be euthanised on his final day which was Thursday. I hemmed and hawed, thinking of a thousand reasons why I don't want a pup. I was going to rescue an older dog who needed me. Then the kennel manager asked if I wanted to take him for a walk. I could not say no, so I walked outside with him , and he was so happy to be alive. I knelt on the ground and he snuggled in my arms and closed his little eyes. I was hooked. So now I am the proud owner of a dog I am convinced is an alien from outer space. I think that he is living in my condo trying to find out how we humans live. I know he is from some other planet, and now I can't get rid of him because he will send me away to his alien planet. Why do I know he is an alien, because he is house broken at 4 months old, is smart, and extremely happy. He is not destructive. And he is not running roughshod over Luke the Lab. I look at this little dog and wonder how he knows all this stuff. He's gotta be an alien from outer space- maybe he has been spying on me for a long time........ On a serious note, he was 14 pounds on Thursday night, and is now under my vets care to bulk up and get healthy. Vet says that if he were not a walking skeleton, he would have been a large dog...I think he still will be because I swear he is growing by leaps and bounds. His paws are huge and so are his knee bones.... God has blessed me with another wonderful dog...there will never be another Rusty, who will live in my heart forever. But Riley will leave his own paw print on my heart. He already is... Just had to share with my animal friends who won't think I am ready for the loony bin for adopting once again. I will post pictures if you promise not to laugh at his doggie acne and protruding bones. Carol
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Beauty is in the eye of the beholder and this new pup of yours sounds like he is a little sweetheart
Too bad others cannot see beneath the surface to the beauty that often lurks there in little ones such as this
I hope your little pack have the best of lifes together
Happy Thanksgiving
Reply to Post
Oh, that was so nice of you to adopt the little puppy. You certainly have a big heart. You were extremely lucky to get one that is so smart. The other couple's loss is your gain. I am sure that with you and your vet caring for him, he will become one healthy and beautiful Lab. Florence
This may be the best doggie you will ever have. I admire your compassion and I know you will never regret what you did for this puppy. Whatever the mix breed is with the Lab, I can guarantee you that labs are so wonderful, caring, lovable, loyal, and any other wonderful things I didn't mention. I've had my lab for 13 years and I love him dearly. He sits by me everyday while I am composing articles for my petsafetyblog, When I get up, he gets up. Follows me all around our house and just wants to be with me all of the time. What a love! Yours will be too!
Genie - What a beautiful story that you gaive her a wonderful home when she really needed it. She must be so happy that you rescued her.
Carol
Still having issues with my camera, can't wait to post his pictures. Actually, I think he is putting on some weight. Luke the Lab is finally playing with Riley, but fearful that Riley will take "big orange ballie and little blue sheepie'. Riley has such a small mouth he can't even carry Lukie's toys, but he tries. I swear that Luke has gained years back on his life - he was so depressed and sad, but now he has a spark back in his eyes.
I can tell that Luke has bonded because yesterday I was walking Luke and Riley and a neighbors black lab who was off leash, came racing toward us across the field with his owner in hot pursuit.
Luke has played with this dog before, but this time Luke actually stood over Riley with Riley between his front legs. That's when I knew the little dude had won Lukie over. Now Lukie has a job again - to be a Baby Daddy!
Carol
Hello Carol - We won't laugh, of course - but you might wait and post before and after pictures when things get a little better for Riley. I have a border terrier, Maggie, who was rescued by the border terrier rescue at the age of 12. Maggie tends to bark too much, is a food thief, and has hypothyroidism and a seizure disorder. The prior owner aparently just did not want to "deal." Maggie was basically "unadoptable" in the condition the rescue got her in. Her rescuer cleaned Maggie up - it took a lot of work - and Maggie was really in good shape by the time I got her. She is pushing 15 now. She stil has some bad habits but if she had been trained properly when younger, she wouldn't have them. She really didn't get a fair shake from her former owners and is in a better home now. She is great company and still playful. Congratulations to both you and Riley. Genie (& Maggie. Ithaca, NY)
Surprised you didn't name him ET! And of course he is a wonderful pup - he has a wonderful, caring, totally crazy owner!!!! But we likes crazies if they likes animals.
Carol, you just wrote the story of our lives. AND you also wrote the story of why we are all here at this website.
Love you loony!
Judy
p.s. When you are so well known to be a "sucker" (like the rest of us) that you get personal emails from the local Humane Society about last minute rescues . . . you cannot deny being a loony. Bless you! 
