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| Wet noses are better than roses...
Please adopt a homeless pet! |
We DESPERATELY need your financial support.
A financial contribution, no matter large or small,helps us continue providing
care for animals.
 Please
send your check today to AWS, PO Box 147, Charles Town, WV 25414.
AWS
is recognized by the IRS as a 501(c)3 charitable organization. |
 Please
visit our Alumni page to see some pictures
of fortunate pets who have been adopted. |
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| Terrier-mix
survives double jeopardy
By Copper Ferguson | |
People don’t seem to realize how depressed we animals can get, especially when
we’re bound by a chain-link fence. We get the impression that, well, nobody wants
us.
It’s been said that you have to live the blues in order to play
the blues. I can’t play any musical instruments — not with these paws — but I
can sing in my high-pitched voice. I figured that it was only a matter of time
before someone would listen.
For a while there I was wandering the hills
of West Virginia and going through trashcans at night. One day I got picked up
by county animal control while I was still a puppy. I smelled death all around
me when I was put in the cage.
Fortunately, I had a good attorney who
pitched in at the last minute and got me off death row. I was moved to the Animal
Welfare Society's animal shelter where there was at least hope. Somebody might
take me home, I thought.
They gave me toys, played with me, and allowed
me full access to the library. I read Chaucer and Whitman and even taught myself
html programming. I got along pretty well with the other inmates although there
was a scrap or two in the yard. The dog in the next kennel was doing 6 to 10 for
B&E. One thing I learned is to never underestimate Chihuahuas. They’ll rob you
blind when you’re not looking and they leave small prints.
I kept waiting
each day for an owner, trying to stay positive. It was tough. Then came the distemper
outbreak and I again faced the death penalty. But a potentially bad situation
turned into a good one when Mr. Bill Dunn, a relatively quiet and soft spoken
man, doggedly, and I mean doggedly, found temporary homes for us. My would-be
foster parent, who was going to take care of me until the disease died off, saw
my pictures and decided on the spot to keep me. I was so happy.
He took
me to PetsMart the first night and I got a collar, a real dog lead (instead of
that synthetic yellow rope that chafes - unfortunately, the shelter can't afford
real expensive leashes), dog toys, and a bed, not that I sleep in it much. I prefer
my owner’s bed.
I spend most days at home watching Animal Planet and
catching up on my reading. I live on a farm with four goats and two lamas; strange
creatures. I make my owner get out and run on the trails every night whether he
likes it or not.
We’ve been on road trips, too. I have a cousin in Richmond,
a fox terrier named Dasher who also did some time way back when. I’ve only gotten
carsick once, but that’s because my owner was driving pretty crazy in D.C. traffic.
Apparently, everybody gets carsick who rides with him.
My owner bought
me a Lands’ End Squall jacket to help keep me warm this winter, but when I was
wearing it in the woods the other day I got jumped by a pack of raccoons. I felt
like I was back in the pound. You never know what raccoons will be packing these
days, so I figured my life wasn’t worth a piece of nylon and fleece. Besides,
the cowardly creatures wear masks.
I couldn’t be any happier these days.
I’m no longer singing the blues, except when my owner is late getting home from
work.
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If you've adopted a pet from AWS and would like to share your success story, please
e-mail us.
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last modified on 04/03/2008 4:14 AM
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