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| Dima in the Sacramento River by Benicia, CA |
Someone else, trying to make amends for a mistake, ran out and got this 10 month old puppy from a disreputable rescue group as a gift to us. Prior to this, Dima was abandoned by his owners when they also abandoned their home. They left him in the backyard, where for about a week, he subsisted on grass. He floated from shelter, to foster home, to shelter, until this Someone got him. This Someone then tied him to a tree outside their house on a rainy night and told us to come get 'this dog'. We did.
For the next 6 months it was hell. Dima was obviously previously abused as well, because he would flinch if you reached to pet him, he would urinate if scared, and hid away from everyone. He ate his own waste to "hide his sin" as Vera put it. Every week, exhausted from dealing with Dima, we kept threatening...this is his last week...if he does not learn, back to the shelter.
And yet, we are animal lovers and suckers for big brown puppy eyes. And so we kept him, week after week. And the patience, love, and caring paid off.
Years later, he is the most well behaved, loving, grateful, and funny dog I have ever owned. He is sweet and loyal, and totally trusting of everyone in the family. He does not flinch anymore, and you can play with his ears while he sleeps and he does not care. He knows we love him and are not going to hurt him. Where once he whimpered and hid, he now brings you toys to play with.
This is my dog, Dima. He is a rescue. He deserved a chance at life and he got one.
Last Christmas, my family and I decided to save another life for the holidays, and we being ‘dog people’, adopted a dog from the shelter. Unfortunately it did not work out for a variety of reasons. It was heartbreaking, but still Vera and I wanted to do something for the dogs locked away in shelters who need just a little love until they can find their own permanent home.
After some discussion, we agreed to forgo buying Christmas presents for each other that year, and instead take that money and donate it to the local Humane Society in the form of new beds, blankets, toys, and food.
The feeling was incredible, and we are doing the same this Christmas by forgoing gifts for each other and instead donating to the local shelter. I urge you...if you have money to spare this holiday season, find someway to donate to your preferred charity. The season is about giving right? Find a way to give to someone (or some critter) who really needs it.
Some more pictures of Dima enjoying the life he nearly did not have.
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| Dima enjoying Lake Tahoe with his own sun-bathing towel. |
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| Dima enjoying a hike in the woods near Truckee, CA. |
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| Dima likes running in and jumping into fresh powder. |
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| Resting near Prosser Reservoir in Truckee, CA. |
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| Enjoying Martis Creek in Truckee, CA. |
-Brent
"If I have any beliefs about immortality, it is that certain dogs I have known will go to heaven, and very, very few persons." - James Grover Thurber
