A Dalmatian From Rags to Riches

In honor of National Dog Day, I thought I'd share a touching dog story about my best friends' Dalmatian. First, I will have to tell you a little about my best friends. They are a very loving couple that have amazing hearts for children in need. They have guardianship of ten children that come from less than pleasant circumstances. They love each child as their own and have devoted their lives to raising them.

When their oldest guardian son was about eleven, they were seriously considering getting him a dog. They knew he wanted one and thought it would be a good responsibility for him. Right before Christmas, the most amazing thing happened. Someone left an almost starved Dalmatian puppy, in a pet carrier, on their doorstep! She was so small and frail, just skin and bones. She was obviously neglected and most likely abused, because she was very afraid of everyone, especially men. She had to be kept in the foyer for a couple of days because she couldn't handle being around more than a couple of people at a time. She slowly got over her fears and was brought into the living room. She now had a home with a family that loved her and wanted to help her get better.

Because she was so malnourished, they were advised to start her out on crackers and water. Everything went right through her for several days. When her system could handle the crackers, little by little they added dry dog food. Eventually, she was able to eat and drink like normal, but they were told she would never get as big as she was supposed to. They were afraid she would be frail and unhealthy for the rest of her life, but with their love and care, she overcame all of the neglect and became healthy and strong, though she did stay small for her breed.

Now she runs and plays every day in a huge yard with the children that love her so much. She fetches sticks, chases balls and birds, wrestles with the boys, catches turtles, plays dress-up with the girls, sleeps with the kids and is well taken care of every day. It's amazing to see how this Dalmatian, that was left half-dead on their doorstep, has transformed into a happy, healthy dog.

Of course,she has her quirks, like barking at everyone that comes through the door, even if she knows them. Sometimes she doesn't know someone has come in and they may be there an hour before she realizes they are there. Then she will let them know she sees them in "her" house by running across the room and barking at them. She also acts like she never gets attention and wants everyone to pet her, though we all know she gets plenty of attention every day. She will come look at you with her pouty little eyes and press herself right up against you to let you know she "needs" you to pet her. This usually works with me. I'll pet her and tell her how I "agree" that she's a poor, little, neglected puppy that nobody pays attention to.

I think the most beautiful thing about this touching National Dog Day story is how my friends' got their Dalmatian. The love in their house must be obvious to all who see them, because whoever thought she deserved a better life than she was living knew where to take her. Someone knew if they left this poor, starving puppy on my best friends' doorstep, that she would be loved and cared for. Someone knew that a loving couple, with a house full of children, would be the best home for a puppy that came from less than pleasant circumstances. I'm so glad they knew where to take her. They gave her a chance to live. She has the best life she could possibly have and has a place in all of our hearts.