MADDY GOES HOME! 8 MAY 2008

On 8 May, Lindsey Lefler writes: Thought you might like an update on Maddy. She has a home! I copied the email I sent to her new family. Thought you all might like to read up on how she is progressing. Especially since so many volunteers have contributed to her progress. Carly & I will miss her so much. Maddy travels with her new sister, Kathy Hi, Judy, It's wonderful to hear from you. You're going to just love Maddy; she's such a beautiful girl. Maddy is still very shy; however, she has made tremendous progress. She will most likely hide in her kennel and refuse to come out. Pull her out and shut the kennel door. She now prefers the dog bed to her kennel, but it took a very long time. Using a leash, walk her around the house and let her smell all the rooms. This will confirm to her that your house is safe. At mealtime, she runs and sits in her kennel. That's where I feed her; otherwise, my puppy will help her eat. She loves to play with my puppy, Carly. They play "King of the Mountain" and "Doggie Race Track." Maddy takes First Place, Carly takes Second and my sweet, full-figured Baylee is five yards behind them in Third Place. It's quite an amusing site. Muffie, my 14-year-old Cairn just shakes her head and takes it all in stride. I often find my neighbor looking over the fence watching them play. Maddy loves being outside and protects me form all those evil birds and squirrels. She's a very good watchdog. She's just now developing her personality. Just this morning, she started making gargling noises at me when I was taking too long to feed her . . . it was pretty funny. Also, she has just started asking for scratches. This is a big step for Maddy. I know you will love her and give her the life she deserves. If I can help in any way, let me know. On 11 May, Judy writes: Just a fast note to let you know Maddy did well traveling home with us. We got back to Michigan about 7:10 p.m. Saturday night. Judy & Gary Grimes Sunday morning she went to the bathroom (both ways) and ate, so I think she will adjust fine. We know it will take a while. Kathy likes to show her around the outside as goes ahead of us then looks back as if to say, "Are you coming?" We are taking Maddy just around the house for now so she can learn that territory. Don't worry about her, she will do fine and we will take good care of her. I'm staying home with her today and watching church on T.V. to stay with her. Gary held her for a long time and petted her last night and she ate that up. She will probably become Gary's dog and he will enjoy holding her and petting her while watching T.V. Kathy doesn't like to be held very long. The dogs get along very well and I think they will be come real buds.

HERE IN THIS HOUSE ... Here in this house . . . I will never know the loneliness I hear in the barks of the other dogs 'out there'. I can sleep soundly, assured that when I wake my world will not have changed. I will never know hunger, or the fear of not knowing if I'll eat. I will not shiver in the cold, or grow weary from the heat. I will feel the sun's heat, and the rain's coolness, and be allowed to smell all that can reach my nose. My fur will shine, and never be dirty or matted. Here in this house . . . There will be an effort to communicate with me on my level. I will be talked to and, even if I don't understand, I can enjoy the warmth of the words. I will be given a name so that I may know who I am among many. My name will be used in joy, and I will love the sound of it! Here in this house . . . I will never be a substitute for anything I am not. I will never be used to improve peopleÕs images of themselves. I will be loved because I am who I am, not someone's idea of who I should be. I will never suffer for someone's anger, impatience, or stupidity. I will be taught all the things I need to know to be loved by all. If I do not learn my lessons well, they will look to my teacher for blame. Here in this house . . . I can trust arms that hold, hands that touch . . . knowing that, no matter what they do, they do it for the good of me. If I am ill, I will be doctored. If scared, I will be calmed. If sad, I will be cheered. No matter what I look like, I will be considered beautiful and known to be of value. I will never be cast out because I am too old, too ill, too unruly, or not cute enough. My life is a responsibility, and not an afterthought. I will learn that humans can almost, sometimes, be as kind and as fair as dogs. Here in this house . . . I will belong. I will be home. -- Author Unknown

GOLIATH CAME BACK,
AND FINDS A NEW HOME, HERE