I Need A Home Or I Will Die.

The heading of this blog post is graphic, but, sadly true. Right after Just Dogs! Gourmet opened, last July, a lady named Vicky came into the store with a story about a dog her neighbor has that she has been kind of taking care of. He is possibly a Tibetan Terrier mix. He was gotten from the Kanawha Animal Shelter.

As we talked back then, she(Vicky) told me that her neighbor had gotten two Shih Tzu's and the shelter dog had been put out into the garage and tied up in there. She(the neighbor) told Vicky that she was going to have him put down if a home couldn't be found for him. So, I gave her websites of rescue groups, hoping that would help. But, it didn't.

Vicky came in this evening to the store and brought pics of this dog. She has until the end of this month, and possibly a few more days after that, to find him a home, or he is being put down. The woman just doesn't want him anymore. He is roughly about 40 lbs., long hair, black and white markings and about 4 yrs. old. He is current on shots and has been to an obedience camp sometime ago. But, where he has been left to fend for himself, except for the kindness of Vicky, he has regressed. With some patience and love, he would be a great dog for a single lady. He has some behaviors, that with a little work, can be solved, such as jumping up on you from behind, and nipping at your pant legs.

I have 2 pics, but my scanner is down. For any information on him call Vicky at 304-543-4756. He comes with his own dog house, multiple toys and a leash and collar and possibly a harness, I am not sure about the latter. He is also neutered. If you can help this dog, call her, please.

A Great Rescue Story.

I heard the greatest rescue story at my father's induction ceremony for the Wall of Fame. The lady that did the research to get my father voted into the wall told me the story. When she and her husband were on their way to Columbus, OH, they stopped into a National Forest just to see what it was like.

As they drove in, they passed a group of picnic tables, as they just about got passed it, a small head popped up from behind the table. The woman saw the puppy and told her husband. Well, they went on and drove around and on the way back out, they saw the pup again. She asked her husband if they could get the puppy. He told her that if the pup was still there when they came back through from Columbus, she could get the puppy.

She told me she worried and worried the entire time they were at their relatives house. When they came back to the National Forest, they didn't see the puppy. She was so disappointed, she said. As they drove around and came back out, they saw the pup. Her husband stopped the car and she got out. She said she talked and talked and talked until the puppy finally licked her hand. She got the puppy, and now it is a member of their family.

Isn't that a wonderful, heart-warming story? I think so. Hope you enjoyed it.

This Is Just A Story About A Boy And His Dog.

Chance and Mr. Lizard love a good story.

Today, while at work at Just Dog's Gourmet in the Huntington Mall, I met a young man, probably in middle school, or a freshman in H.S., shopping with his mom. As we got to talking, which is something I love to do, his mom told me a great story.

Their dog, of 16 yrs., a rescue, had passed away, and then a month later, her dad, his granddad, passed away. This young man was very close to both, she (the mom) said. The mom wanted to wait to get another dog, while she got things settled, I imagine with her father's estate, as she did not elaborate on this, and I didn't ask. But, her husband said that the boy needed a dog.

So, she began to research and decided to buy a West Highland Terrier (Westie). So, the night before they were to leave for Columbus, I believe, she told him what she was going to do. He said to her, "mom, if you want to get that dog, that is O.K., but there is a dog here that needs me." Her husband had heard what he said, and called Sue Brown, of Little Victories. When Sue heard the story, she exclaimed that she had a dog for his son.

They went to one of the vet clinics where this little dog was being fostered, a Jack Russell, Chihuahua mix, and the bond was made. His name was Tag, but the young man named him "Jack." Jack was about 4 lbs. He is now a vibrant, playful companion for this boy. When I watched this boy talk about his dog, I got tears in my eyes. When his mom told me the story, I got chill bumps all over.

He carefully picked out some of our treats for Jack, and would ask his mom if it was O.K. if he got this one or that one. She told him to get as much as he wanted, which I thought was so cool. It is so great to hear stories like this one, it does my heart good.