One day we got a call that originated in West Virginia. Apparently an SPCA group up there had found some dogs that were owned by a couple who lived on a property that had no running water or electricity. The dogs were being kept outside without any water or food. They were told that if they were to allow the dogs to be confiscated by the SPCA, then they would not be prosecuted for animal cruelty. So, the people let the SPCA take the dogs and that was when we were called.

So, on October 29, 1998 at almost 8 p.m. we met in VA and picked up the dogs. One dog was a cream purebred Chow and the other was a red Chow Shepherd mix. The cream Chow is now named Gretchen and the red mix is named Rosie.

Gretchen was but one year old and came with two puppies. Rosie was only ten months old and had apparently already had a litter. We had no idea as to what had come of her pups.

I spoke with the lady we had gotten Gretchen, her pups, and Rosie from one evening and asked her about Rosie's pups. At that point she was surprised, as she hadn't known that Rosie had had any pups. I told her that when we'd received Rosie that her mammary glands had been engorged to the point that I had to milk her for the first few days that we had her. She checked with the SPCA that had rescued the Chows in WV and they in turn went back to find out what had happened to the pups. Apparently the people did not want the five pups taken along with Rosie, so they hid the pups when the SPCA showed up to take the dogs away. When asked what had happened to the litter, they said that someone they knew stole one of the pups, they kept one, and the rest of the litter had died.

We took Rosie to our adoption days and many people loved her, but no one put in an application for her. One of the employees of the store fell in love with her and wanted her, but couldn't have any more pets where he was living. They were planning on moving, so they hoped to find someplace that would allow them to have her. Unfortunately, the new landlord told them no and they couldn't adopt her. We had high hopes, as she also loved Jimmy and his dog Dakota.

One day a couple had come in and visited with our fur kids and had met Rosie. But as Rosie had a habit of barking at everyone at the store, they were not interested. The next time they came into the store, Rosie was behaving herself and being quiet, so they had an opportunity to actually get to know her. That was when they learned that she was a very friendly, loving, little girl. So, they put an application in to adopt her.

Rosie has a cat as a companion who she gets along with well. Her mom and dad take her everywhere with them, and when they can't, she gets to stay over at her uncle's house where she has a canine cousin to play with. There is a wonderful doggie park in her neighborhood where her parents take her to play on a regular basis. She is now a part of their family, and is very well loved and spoiled.

Rosie and her family have since moved to PA so her mom and dad can finally stop their long distance commuting.