Reusing and recycling material goods is very important to me. So, when our family was finally ready for a new dog – after waiting nearly a year since we lost our dear golden retriever, Page – it only made sense to choose a previously owned rescue dog.
We went to Homeward Bound’s adoption day in August and found “Annie,” a Jack Russell/Daschund mix. Described as a mischievous, high-energy, great-with-kids family dog, we were smitten. We were told Annie had kennel cough. No big deal, they told us…a lot of rescue dogs have it. Well, that’s what they knew at the time.
Annie proceeded to come down with a terrible upper respiratory infection which led to “dry eye” and an eventual eye surgery, which, as the newly adoptive family, we were responsible for paying for. It was either that or give her back to Homeward Bound, where we didn’t know what her fate would be. I call my husband Dr. Doolittle, since he’s so good with animals, and she had already made her way into mine and the kids’ hearts, so it was an obvious choice to do the surgery.
Thankfully, Homeward Bound refunded our adoption fee to help cover the costs. The recovery time was challenging for both our family and Annie, but almost three months later, despite losing 50% of her vision in one eye, she is completely fine. She has adjusted to her vision loss and our family, and we feel so fortunate to have her in our lives.
A love of Annie, Page and all dogs is what inspired me to create my 2010 Dog Calendar. I need your help! I want to showcase your dogs, and hear about their stories.
Email me your dog’s picture to enter my 2010 Dog Calendar Contest. You’ll get 20% off the purchase of a calendar, and if your dog wins, you’ll get an 8×10 print of your dog and a FREE CALENDAR with your dog’s likeness and name printed on it!
Hurry the contest ends Friday, November 13, 2009!
