May 24, 1999 we received an email from a lady with Happy Endings, a pet rescue group in Temple, Texas. She told us that two weeks earlier a chow was rescued up by the Temple Police Department. Neighbors had called when they realized a woman had moved out and left her chow in the back yard without food or water for about two weeks. He was turned over to the dog pound and scheduled to die on May 17. She had read about him in the newspaper and the pound gave him to her. She took him immediately to her vet where he was neutered, had all his shots and was found to be heartworm free. She had him groomed and took him home. She said that he was the sweetest guy, about a year old, and a beautiful blond. He got along fine with her other nine dogs--foster and permanent. She said he was happy, played well, and was not interested in her four cats. As she had not been able to find a chow rescue group in Texas, and many of their shelters there just kill them and don't try to adopt them out, she looked for another alternative. She wanted to find a loving home for him since he was such a gem.

We tried unsuccessfully several times to email her in return, but for one reason or another one of our systems was not allowing us to connect. Consequently, we posted the Chow on our websites and sent a message about his dilemma to a Chow list we belong to. Immediately, one of the members of the list wrote back to us privately asking for more information on him. At that time we had no definite description other than what you read above. Consequently, due to email problems we'd experienced, we suggested she contact the rescue lady in Texas personally. The next thing we knew a message came through to the Chow list saying that the Chow's name was Willie, he was a cream, and was going to be traveling from Texas to Nashville shortly to his new home. This was just the most wonderful news we could have received!!! We have in the past been able to aid in the connection of rescues and adoptive homes in states too far away for us to be able to help, and this was another special gift for us.

Willie now lives in Nashville with four other Chow rescue babies. He is 15 pounds underweight and very shy, but he is adjusting...as his new mom says "a real sweetheart of a boy". His new mom also said that not only is he "a little dream", but that he "desperately wants to play". She "bought a cheap, long lead to let him drag around the yard" as had been suggested until he gets used to his new home and family, but "he 'accidentally' chewed it in two while simultaneously chewing on a chewie."

Willie's story is just another example of the kind of wonderful people in this world who are willing to give rescue babies a second chance at having a good life. It also shows what is possible when people all cooperate in trying to work together. It is amazing what can be accomplished with just a simple email... We are grateful for all the people of this story who made the happy ending possible.

Donations

Chow Rescue of Northern Virginia is a non-profit organization. If you would like to make a donation by credit card to Chow Rescue of No. VA, you can register for online payments at PayPal. You can also make a donation by check payable to Michael McBee at P.O. Box 2083, Falls Church, VA 22042-2083.

Page created by: Chow Rescue of No. VA
8 June 1999