Yesterday was Willie's birthday.
It is hard to believe he is five years old.
He had a very rough beginning, but has adapted quite well to a fairly cushy lifestyle.
He had a very rough beginning, but has adapted quite well to a fairly cushy lifestyle.
Willie is a rescue dog. He was found, along with his two brothers (by another father) in a box outside a Wal-Mart store. We discovered him huddled behind his siblings in the back of a kennel at Pet-Smart. It took three of us to get him out. Roger and his foster mom removed the brothers and I crawled inside the kennel.
Roger and I tried to play with him, but he really only wanted to be returned to his protectors and the safety of his kennel. We decided to go have lunch before making our decision. I had fallen in love and was sure Tex (his name at the time of our introduction) and I were meant to be. Roger wasn't as sure. He was concerned about his abuse and shyness. Did I say I was in love? I was certain it was meant to be; we returned to Pet-Smart to adopt our puppy.
His adoption papers listed his birthday as May 5th making him twelve weeks old. Our Vet agreed. He was listed as a terrier and lab mix. Our Vet didn't agree. He thought he was more likely a border collie and whippet or italian greyhound mix.
He was a sad and timid little dog when we brought him home. He was afraid of everything, but mostly men. If Roger spoke he cowered. If anyone picked up a magazine or newspaper he cowered. He didn't whimper, whine or bark. He was silent. He was certainly not a "Tex".
We say he found his voice when he was almost a year. I am not for sure who it scared more. At five Willie still has his little quirks. He will probably always be afraid of rolled up newspapers and thunder storms, but he loves his walks, chest rubs, backyard romps puppy treats,
and his family.
Happy Birthday Willie!
Hello Bonnie:
ReplyDeleteWillie is adorable and we are so pleased that you were on hand to take him in, give him a good home and, we are certain, a life living in the lap of luxury. It is beyond our wildest imaginations to know how people can be cruel to animals in the way in which they so often are.
Jane and Lance, Thank you! Willie is a very special little man. It breaks my heart to read stories of animal abuse. It seems there is a lack of heart and soul. I hope you have a wonderful week. Bonnie
DeleteHappy birthday to sweet and lucky Willie!! I'm agreeing on the whippet lineage. So sad to think of him being mistreated. Please give him an extra belly rub from me.
ReplyDeleteRight now I'm up with Oliver who is afraid of storms and we have had some doozies tonight! Andrew is in the basement helping the two sump pumps keep up.
Best,
Bonnie
Bonnie, Willie sends a big thank you for the extra tummy rub. We think our vet was right on the mark. Willie herds us when out on a walk (border collie) and he is amazingly fast (whippet).
DeleteOur Vet suggest a "therapy sweater" for Willie. He said they help relieve the stress due to thunderstorms. I haven't purchased one, but have found them at specialty dog stores.
I hope you didn't have much flooding. Bonnie
Lucky Willie to have found love after such a terrible beginning. I will never understand how someone could be cruel to an animal, and more so a puppy. Lucky Willie to have found a good home and lucky you to have found a wonderful companion. I love happy endings.
ReplyDeleteArleen, We are the lucky ones. He is such a loyal companion. Have a wonderful week. Bonnie
DeleteHappy birthday, precious Willie. I`m so happy you are safe and loved and that life is good!
ReplyDeleteS
xxxxooooo
I will never understand how people can be so cruel. But then there's lovely people like you who are treasures. Doesn't it make you want to take them all home...my cat was found in a dumpster when she was about 5 weeks old. I am so grateful for the beautiful person who climbed in and got her.
ReplyDeleteGive Roger a big hug and an extra treat - he deserves it.
Happy Birthday to you Roger!!!
Happy Birthday, dear, sweet Willie! I know you found just the right home...filled with lots of love. You sure deserved it!
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely story. My cat is also a 'rescue' pet and I love him to bits!
ReplyDeleteThis is my first rescue, but he truly is wonderful. We are so fortunate to have found one another. Bonnie
DeleteSounds like you rescued his soul, which was in pretty bad shape. Of course, we all know it's the dogs who rescue us! happy Birthday, Willie!
ReplyDeleteWebb, It is true our dogs are the rescuers. When we brought Willie home his eyes were vacant. He laid in my lap until bedtime his first night. He truly is a gift. Bonnie
DeleteAwwww, there's nothin' quite like puppy love!!! I can see why ya fell head over heels in love with Willie. Just look at that face!!!
ReplyDeleteHappy birthday Willie, I hope your cake was topped with many doggie treats. Huggs or Kisses are Pepper Nippers faves!
God bless ya sweetie and have a magnificent week!!! :o)
Nezzy, Willie send his thanks. He received plenty of birthday treats and a new toy. I hope you have a great week as well. Bonnie
DeleteHappy Birthday Willie!
ReplyDeleteHappy Birthday Willie! What great parents he has! I am glad he ended up in such a loving home. Some dogs are just shy by nature, we have two rescue dogs, and the big girl Laci, who is a pit/shepherd/whatever mix, has always been shy, but gentle and loving. She was never abused, and my daughter got her as a puppy, but if anyone raises their voice in our home (even if it is just loud laughing or talking, she slinks behind a chair. Willie definitely looks part border collie!
ReplyDeleteLana, Loud noises send Willie upstairs to bed.....my bed! I just don't have the heart to send him to his kennel. Bonnie
DeletePlease give Willie an extra scratch and cuddle from me, Bonnie. I hope he's with you in very good health for a very long time. He looks a bit of a scamp.
ReplyDeleteMy own dog, Zara, also came from a background of mistreatment, but you wouldn't know it now. She is bursting with life.
Faisal, Willie is a special fellow. He certainly know how to turn a situation to his favor, but he takes very good care of me. It is my hope that once an animal finds a good home they forget abuse. Hugs to Zara from Willie and me.
DeleteHappy birthday to Willie, he of the very expressive ears! I hope that there was an equally happy outcome for his siblings.
ReplyDeleteRosemary, I am certain one was adopted shortly after Willie. I was told the other found a good home in another state. The two brothers were much larger and very protective of our little guy. It actually broke my heart to separate them. Thank you! Bonnie
Deletesuch a sweet story. You are both so lucky to have found each other. Funny, another thing we have in common. My dog, Digby, also a rescue pup. He was hidden in a crate under a bunch of other ones and no one was looking at him. Quiet, scared. He's a happy old man now. Still follows me everywhere -- can't go to the bathroom alone even.
ReplyDeleteJulie, I had a schnauzer before Willie and thought no dog could ever replace her. While I still think of her as being my wonderful Tallie Bird and still miss her, Willie is equally wonderful and has stolen my heart. Rescues are so appreciative and loyal Bonnie.
ReplyDeletehappy birthday willie boy, you sure did pick the right family ;)))
ReplyDeletei know you played it coy, secretly you knew you had hit the jackpot!!
What a sweet post! What a wonderful thing you did by adopting him; I'm sure you've turned his life around. Happy birthday to Willie.
ReplyDeleteWillie is a wonderful little fellow who keeps me on my toes. Thank you Beth. Bonnie
DeleteWillie is a handsome (and lucky) boy! Happy Birthday to Willie!
ReplyDeleteThank you. He is certainly a special little boy. Hope all is well with you. Bonnie
DeleteSuch a cutie, and I know he's found a great home! HAPPY BIRTHDAY, WILLIE! :)
ReplyDeleteHugs,
Zuzu