Our youngest (adopted) gets national press, ASPCA SUCCESS STORY OF THE WEEK: PLAYING IT BY THE EARS

[Omaha Steve]

http://www.aspca.org/site/PageServer?pagename=media_newsalert100507&JServSessionIdr008=7tyeebzp24.app24b#3

1/2 way down the page.

ASPCA SUCCESS STORY OF THE WEEK: PLAYING IT BY THE EARS



When Sweetie Darling first left Hearts United for Animals—a no-kill shelter near Auburn, NE—the bone-thin rat terrier doggedly held her ears back and only wanted to huddle in her new dog bed.

Thankfully, new parents Steve and Marta Dawes were intent on their pup’s happiness. After bringing her home, they talked to her constantly and invited her to play. “At first Sweetie just sat in her dog bed and stared at us!” Marta recalls. “She couldn’t figure out what we were doing.”

But a breakthrough occurred when Marta offered Sweetie a small piece of roast beef. “Her ears came to attention,” recalls Marta. “It was the first time we had seen her with her ears up, and it totally transformed her from looking scared and abandoned to looking alert and interested in life.” Sweetie jumped out of her bed and approached Marta for her treat. “After that moment, the sad look disappeared,” Marta recalls. “She began looking more at home, gaining weight by eating anything she was offered and running all over the house with our two other dogs.”

Now, nearly two years later, Sweetie Darling runs the house and—her proud mom informs us—she’s earned the nickname "the Duchess." “She barks imperiously at us to move the cat so she can sleep on the couch,” says Marta, “and if she somehow gets out from under the covers in the middle of the night, she barks for someone to cover her again. Since we’re completely under her spell, we do what she commands!”

The Dawes hardly ever see Sweetie with her ears down now. “She even sleeps with them at attention!” laughs Marta.

I posted here, because most of my friends hang in this forum.

OS


Her original story from 3 & 1/2 years ago. The pictures are not online with the story.


http://www.hua.org/Dogs-For-Adoption/judi.html

[zanne]

1. That's too adorable.

Good for you. You don't always get what you pay for--sometimes you get much more!

[shireen]

2. a beautiful little doggie doll!

thanks for sharing that story. That's for making Sweetie happy. She deserves it. :)

[Catchawave]

3. HUA's a great org

I know how hard they work educating about puppy mills

http://www.prisonersofgreed.org/

Sweet puppy! How lucky she is :)

[angstlessk]

4. What a sweet story, Steve..Sweetie Darling er uh, 'the Dutchess'

is precious. The story is so vibrant, I can see the little darling cowered and your love bringing the 'Dutchess' out of her fear!

[yewberry]

5. Great story!

We all need success stories sometimes--and I'm so glad you made a home for the little pooch.

[radfringe]

6. k&r

[flvegan]

7. Great story, OS.

Thanks for posting it, and thanks for adopting.

[tblue37]

8. I love that her name is "Sweetie Darling," and she obviously fits the name! n/t

[gateley]

9. K&R -- I'm happy for your happiness. nt

[Clark2008]

10. I adopted one this week!

He's got some health issues (digestive because of malnutrition), but two days on his new diet, liver pills and antibiotics and he's perking up. I think he might make it.

Here's Charlie!



Gives you a good feeling to adopt, doesn't it. :)

[dionysus]

11. why isn't this in the lounge?! JUST KIDDING....

That sure is a sweet looking dog man, what a happy story!

btw I don't think I've ever interacted with you here but I enjoy reading your posts.

[jillan]

12. Not only do I love this story - but I am going to share it with my teenage daughter.

We will be getting a new dog in January and she wants only certain breeds.

I have put my foot down and told her we are going to the pound to save a dogs life.
She agreed in the manner that teenagers do by rolling her eyes at me.

She has a big heart and hearing this from your family may touch her.

The best dog, the most loving companion I ever had was a Springer Spaniel that I got from the pound.
It's almost like the dog knows what you did for them and they thank you every day of their life.

[Beaverhausen]

13. What a great story! Thanks for sharing

and especially thanks for giving a loving home to this sweet doggie!

you made me :cry:

[LeftyMom]

14. awwww

Good for you. She's a lucky girl.

[Omaha Steve]

15. Thank you for all the kind words

Sweetie is a rat terrier. Our other dogs were adopted too. Luka is a rat terrier. Ira is a German short haired pointer. Our kids have all grown all left. So our 3 cats and 3 dogs get a lot of love. They don't seem to mind.