Let me introduce you to the best birthday present I ever received: Henry!
As an animal-lover, I’ve always loved going into Petsmart on Saturdays. Well, loved and hated it at the same time. You see, Saturdays are adoption days at Petsmart, which means the store is filled with adorable little critters in desperate need of a loving home. Visits to the store would play out like this:
CCK: Mom, can we please adopt a dog? Pleeeease?
Mom: Katie, we have a dog. Molly would not be happy if we forced her to share the limelight with another dog.
CCK: But otherwise they’ll go back to the shelter, and many of them will be put to sleep!
Mom: Don’t think about it; it’s too sad, and we really can’t adopt another dog. Your dad wouldn’t allow it.
About a week before my eighteenth birthday, Molly needed dog food. A trip to Petsmart was in order. And it just so happened to be a Saturday. By now, I knew not to even ask if we could adopt one of the wide-eyed, tail-wagging pups at the store. Resigned to my one-dog life, I silently cuddled with an especially-spunky puppy. So my jaw almost fell through the floor when:
Mom: Would you like to take him home?
CCK: That’s really mean. You know how much I want to save one; why would you joke about something like that?
Mom: What if I’m not joking? It’s almost your 18th birthday.
CCK: (Still not letting herself believe it.) You said Dad wouldn’t go for it. Nor Molly.
Mom: I don’t know, Katie. He’s really cute. Your dad couldn’t stay mad at a face like that for long. And I bet Molly would at least tolerate him, if not learn to love him.
And so…
It always makes me sad to see all the dogs for sale in pet shops (mostly from puppy mills). Why buy a puppy when you can rescue one as cute as Henry? It’s cheaper and you’re saving a life! Henry came from an abusive home, so he was terrified of people, animals, and especially feet when we first brought him home. In fact, it was months before we even knew he could bark. But the poor (well, not anymore) guy has come a long way. Nowadays, he is the ultimate lap dog, ad you can’t stop him from giving you kisses!
Henry is absolutely adorable! I believe 100 percent that we should adopt animals from shelters. Its really sad to think about all the ones who end up being put to sleep–even in “no-kill” shelters. I volunteered at one for 1 year and found out horrific things that I hate thinking about :(. I did end up bringing home a beautiful puppy though :).
keep inspiring!
Aww, what an adorable story and adorable pup! Your mum is right – nobody could stay mad at that face. How old is Henry? Does he get along well with our other dog?
I spent the better part of my Thursday evening at the Humane Society cuddling with all the cats and dogs. (In their new building the public can walk right in the life rooms and cuddle with all the animals – I love it!!) Why I was there? My brother adopted a puppy!! It was his birthday present to himself. We always adopt our furry friends from the shelter – I couldn’t think of going elsewhere.
I remember those conversations. We had them so often. And my parents still have one dog and two cats, as it has always been (sometimes we even had three cats). They are all from shelters. I wish I could adopt an animal too, but our apartment is too small.
Hmmm…I can’t even really think of a best birthday present. Sad, isn’t it? We always just get money, so I end up buying myself presents.
Alot of the pet stores around here actually do adoptions of stray/abandonned pets now, instead of bringing in new pets to sell.
Awwwww!!! So much love!
Wonderful post. I did a whole post on my rescue pup, Chobie, called “Rescue Dogs And Other Miracles.” Hubby thought that was a pretty cheesy title, which may be true, but I tend to get pretty sentimental about my little pup. I love her!!
I don’t blame you. He’s got those big brown eyes, he’s committed and trustworthy. Dependable and consistent, handsome. What more can you ask for ? Happy Valentine’s Day.
Well, in a perfect world, he wouldn’t shed on the couch… but he’s so darn close to perfect that it’s scary ;).
This is the first time I’ve happened upon this particular post and it is adorable and so sweet 🙂 .
Henry is so cute.
But, then as you have limited options for a no-carb breakfast menu,
you can take into account these as breakfast choices.