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 'FOR
THE LOVE OF PETE'
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Pete is a two year old beautiful black Cocker Spaniel. He is loving, friendly, and a most loyal companion. He now has a good and loving home where he will be taken care of. I can now rest assured that Pete will live happily ever after.
It was just two days ago when I got the keys to her apartment from her husband to be and walked in the door. I stood face-to-face with Pete. He was a mess. He hadn't had a good meal in three months and not had any water or food for the prior three days. He had been given no choice but to use the bedroom as his bathroom. Pete did not take too well to this stranger who had just entered his home. I stood perfectly still has he growled at me. After a minute or so, I calmly and quietly made my way to the couch and sat there very still, giving Pete a few minutes to, hopefully, get used to me. I was determined not to leave that apartment without Pete, as my mission was to rescue him from his plight.
I'm not sure if Pete was ever loved, as I have not known the owner a long time. Everyone loves a puppy. Unfortunately, sometimes the novelty of a new puppy wears off. Puppies do grow into big dogs and sometimes they lose their cuteness, or just get too big. Oh yes, and puppies chew on things. The delight in having a puppy can wear thin very quickly if one does not make a commitment to love and care for it. A dog is alive and it has emotions. It needs to be loved, just as you and I need to be loved. When we are neglected, or go through a span of time alone and without love, we become lonely and sometimes depressed. So will your dog.
Pete belonged to a developmentally disabled lady. She was deaf and now I know that Pete's function was to replace her ears. When the doorbell rang, Pete would let her know that someone was at the door. Pete was a most wonderful companion. This lady was very sweet and functioned in life very well, but as so many of us, her life had been filled with loneliness. Pete would lose his best friend to another man, this one a human, and would become a very sad, lonely and neglected dog.
I have had a very difficult time dealing with this situation. I have done my best not to be judgmental and, instead, to put myself in the owner's shoes. She had been carrying her own pain of not being loved all her life and now a man finally loved her. She experienced a joy she had never known. She spent every waking moment with her new love. Pete, however, was forgotten and left to fend for himself in an empty apartment. She now had new ears that would help her in life. Pete's ears were no longer needed. Her new love wanted nothing to do with Pete, but the choice was too easy for her. With a bright smile, she did as he bade and poor Pete was pretty much abandoned.
I became aware of this situation when I was asked, if I knew anybody who would take Pete. My countenance dropped as I heard these words, as she was so willing to forget a friend that had been there for her for two years. Then, I was asked if I would take Pete. I tried to explain that Pete loved her, not me. Why would she do this? I looked at her husband to be and pleaded with him to accept Pete into his life. This was to no avail. Not realizing the state that Pete was in over at that lonely apartment, I told them that if I could not find a good home for Pete, I would take him.
It soon became apparent that Pete's owner was spending every waking hour at her new love's apartment. While I became very saddened as to these turn of events, I assumed that she was still feeding Pete and taking him out. I assumed that she would spend the evenings with Pete. In the meantime, I had a new mom and dad in mind for Pete. If they would not take him, I would. With Pete's best interests in mind, I knew that this couple would give him a much better home than I would, as I have four other dogs and would not be able to give Pete the quality of attention that he would need. It was just a matter of talking the husband into accepting Pete. The wife was ready for a new dog.
Then came the moment that I found out that Pete had been cast away and, except for someone bringing him food or water whenever convenient, Pete spent his days and nights all alone, with no one caring enough to take him out, not for exercise, nor for any other reason. I asked for the keys to the apartment and decided that Pete would not spend another minute alone.
So I sat on the couch, as Pete growled, bearing his teeth at me. I sat so very still. After a while he seemed to calm down, as if he had possibly become comfortable with my presence. Half expecting to be bitten, I slowly extended my hand out to him. To my surprise, he sniffed and he let me touch him. Slowly, I petted him. Little by little he gained trust in me and then suddenly jumped on the couch and put his head on my lap. I loved him for a while and gave him the attention he had gone without for so many months. I filled his bowl with water and found food that he could eat. As he was scarfing down his food and drinking his water, I decided that I would clean the bedroom. I was so very tempted to just call the manager and have the maintenance man come and clean this horrible mess up. However, upon reflection, I realized that this is the very reason that some pet owners find it so hard to find a place to live. So I cleaned the mess up myself.
He was so terribly matted that it was impossible to brush him. His ears were like two big balls of yarn. I found his leash, attached it to his collar, and Pete and I walked out of the apartment together. He seemed to be so very happy to be outside. We walked a little bit and then it was time to go to his new home. We got in the car and he seemed to love the ride. Pete wasn't in the least bit scared. I drove to his new mom and dad's house, knowing that once mom saw her new baby, dad would have no choice but to welcome him.
Pete has been in his new home for two days. He, once again is a happy, loving and loyal companion. Only, this time, he is loved back. He goes on walks with his new dad, while mom dotes on him in all other ways. Pete has gone to the vet and is up to date with his shots. However, Pete has heart worm. His new mom and dad are treating him for this condition and I do hope he makes a full recovery, as Pete deserves all the happiness and love in the world after all he has gone through. He is groomed and, once again, is proud to be a Cocker Spaniel. I do believe that Pete will recover and live happily ever after.
I was able to rescue Pete and I have rescued other dogs in my life. I cannot rescue every dog in the world. All the shelters and rescue centers put together cannot keep up with the number of mistreated and abandoned dogs in our homes. Before you get that cute puppy for a birthday or Christmas present, please know that this is a living creature with emotions. This puppy you are bringing home will need love every day of his life, not just until you get tired of him. Know what you are getting into and please make that commitment. I did not report my friend because of her condition. I don't know what it is like to walk in her shoes, so I give her the benefit of the doubt. I stepped in and saved Pete. However, I would have reported anyone else. I would ask that, whether or not you are a pet owner, if you see an animal suffering, please don't look the other way. Take action.
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