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| Name: |
Dasher
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Age: |
Eight years old
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| Gender: |
Male |
Breed: |
Black Labrador Retriever |
| Home: |
Florida, USA |
I
found Dasher at one of the saddest times of my life. I had just lost
my heart dog Duke, of thirteen years and was devastated. I had been in deep
depression. It was almost a month without Duke when I took a trip to
the SPCA. There was Dasher, looking every bit as sad and hopeless as
me. His eyes had such a look of sadness that I just couldn't stand it.
He and another eight-year-old black Lab had been turned in together. I
had them take Dasher out to an area used to get to know the animals. He
already knew tricks such as shake, sit and lay. I petted him and walked
him a bit then had them put him up. I told him I'd be back again to see
him. Two days later, I went back and decided to take him home. I was
filling out the paperwork when I noticed there was no note about
heartworms. They told me that the dogs were too afraid when they first
got there so they hadn't yet tested them. I waited as they drew blood.
When the girl came back, I knew it wasn't good news. She told me he was
in an advanced stage of heartworm. My heart sank. I sat there a few
minutes and told her I'd have to think about it. I left that Thursday
very sad. The next day, I had decided to go ahead and take him. I
decided that life was too short. I didn't want him to die at the SPCA.
I know that older dogs aren't wanted like puppies. Much less one that
was heartworm positive. So that Saturday, December 9th 2006, I brought
Dasher home with me. He fit in with Doogie just fine. That's one
laid-back kitty I have!
Things have not been easy for either one of us. I learned that Dasher
has extreme separation anxiety. Carpet and doorways have been damaged.
Thanks to research and help from some Pet Talkers, things have gotten so much
better! I also discovered that I was being a little too hard on Dasher
by comparing him to Duke. Plus the fact that he was missing his
companion as much as I was missing Duke. He didn't really get to adjust
to his new home before he had to have all the heartworm treatments.
He's just finished his six weeks of no activity following the rough
three day treatment. In July, I found out that he was heartworm free.
What a happy day for us. I took him to Chick-Fil-A and bought him a
baked chicken breast which he enjoyed immensely. He is now enjoying
being a dog and has come out of his shell so much. It's so much fun to
see him being goofy. He loves to play fetch with Mr. Mallard. I think
he could do it all day if I threw it for him. I get such happiness
watching him come back to me with Mr. Mallard in his mouth, his back
half wiggling like crazy. Such a change from the dog I saw that first
day.
Though my heart still breaks for Duke, I think Dasher and I have saved
each other. I no longer have to give him his anti-anxiety medicine every
day. I've made several short trips away and he's been just fine. He's
really blossomed into a happy dog. The other day, I caught myself
feeling guilty for being so happy. A part of me will always belong to
Duke but I'm so glad our hearts can be big enough for even more love.
I'm so thankful that Dasher came into my life. His endearing qualities
like grunting to talk to me and the way he has to be touching me when
sleeping, really lighten my heart. I hope we have many happy years
together.
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