The Zim Family Cocker Spaniel Forum

Yes....thank you. Because you decided that you "didn't like him anymore", we have a fifth cocker spaniel. He is still scared if he is outside and we go inside. I guess he figures we won't let him in again. He "kisses" my dogs each day - licking at their noses and snuggling their ears. It's as if he's saying "thank you for letting me join the pack". He is so funny and when given the chance will play soccer with tennis balls. He loves to run after them. He's a little unsteady since that time you let him out and didn't bring him in and he got hit by the car that left his back leg bent and that's where the arthritis is. Still....if I toss a ball he'll sure chase it. Did you ever notice how he wakes up and night and looks around and then sighs a happy sigh, licks his human's hand and goes back to sleep? I guess it makes him feel good to know someone is there if he needs them. Do you know he likes cats - even though he didn't have one at home? He'll accept anyone, anywhere. When we meet people or people come over, he is so happy to meet them - he'll sit for hours as long as there's a hand to pet him. He also smiles when he knows you're reaching for a treat. When I give him the meds you said you couldn't afford to give to him (the ones that cost about $12.00 a month), he gulps them right down. He doesn't even fight them. It's like he knows they're keeping him feeling better. I really didn't need a fifth dog. I didn't even think about getting a fifth dog. I am very happy I have this fifth dog - and he's happy too. So thank you for throwing what you thought of as garbage my way. He has added to my family with his joy and brightened my days with his toothy grin. And taught my granddaughter something as well. As she so eloquently put it "Some people don't get it. They don't know what they have. I guess their hearts aren't open enough for them to understand."

I'm looking all over for a 'Like' button for your post.

That was very eloquently written.

Amen, Vickie!

They weren't good enough for him. Thanks for rescuing him!

Well said - I just hope the former owners somehow read this - did you send it to them (either by computer or by mail)? They should know just what a gem they "threw away". Thank goodness for such wonderful, caring people like you and Bob. You are saints!

He got the best deal ever Vickie!

I definitely feel the same way about my Bruce. I'm very sorry that he had to go through any unpleasantness before we found each other, but now he is one of the best dogs I've ever met. Tonight I was laying on the couch and playing around on my laptop... Bruce came next to the couch and started giving me this look he has that always means he wants to be cuddled. So I invited him up on the couch. He proceeded to come up onto my stomach, settle his butt down into the crack between me and the couch, and lay on his back looking into my eyes and nuzzling me while I petted his belly. All I could think when I looked down was, "I'm so lucky that family didn't know what they had."

God saw his need and sent him your way:) He couldn't be in a better place. Thank you people for giving him to Vickie's vet....what Sara said is so true...you didn't deserve him!"

Colleen K

Every day I work with people who are having hard times. Maybe they are dealing with a husband or wife's uncontrolled mental illness. Some have suddenly found they've lost their job and have no idea how they are going to pay next month's mortgage. Other's are trying to figure out why their kids are acting out, doing drugs, having a baby at age 15, etc., etc.

I have no idea why these people gave up their dog. Maybe they were irresponsible but maybe they were overwhelmed with responsibilities. Either way, I think it is wonderful that you can give this unfortunate dog a good home.

I need a 'like' button!

well said! if it weren't for former owners, i wouldn't have my heart dog Lucy!

Maddie is where he belongs, in your loving arms and family.

I truly believe that you are in your rightful place when you are a blessing to others. WELL...I see you and Maddie both are in your rightful place !!!! You are a blessing for each other !!!!! Olivia nailed it with "I guess their hearts aren't open enough for them to understand."
You and Bob have shown her what it truly is to have an open heart !!!!!!

Marsha

[quote="dawn & kevin"][color=#8000BF][b] Tears of joy, Vickie and Bob,

Even if these folks read this, they would probably not know that it WAS their dog that was being discussed. I think that it is not likely that they will ever step foot in a Vet's office again. Particulary your Vet. I sure hope so, because that would mean that they brought another living pet into their home again!

Hopefully, they don't have, and will never have another animal. I was going to say pet, but they obviously have no clue that a pet is something the you love and care for.

Vickie people just don't come better than you and hubby.

I happened to run into Maddie's owner last week. I've known Mowgli/Maddie since he was a pup; his former owners live only about three blocks away. Every time I saw the dog, he was off-leash and with the husband. I really don't know the family but have heard that life has been tough on them. I'm not judging but it wouldn't have been the choice I would have made. Anyway, the husband thanked me for taking in Mowgli and asked how he was doing.
We feel very gratified when we meet others that know Mowgli and are told that he never looked better. Sometimes the looks are quizical. They think he looks familiar but can't place him. I say it's the cocker formerly know as Mowgli... and almost always get, "THAT's Mowgli?!!!" His former owners were good not to insist that he be put down as they had originally intended and to instead give him up to the animal hospital. Animal hospital of White Plains and all their staff really did a great job of caring for him, cleaning him up, testing, surgery and getting him regulated on heart meds. That made all the difference in his quality of life.

Am I reading your post correctly-- you have known about this dog and how badly he was treated all of his life?

No....we would not have stood by knowing he had been badly treated all his life. That is not how either I or my husband operate when a dog is being mistreated - especially one where we know the owners - even as only people in the area.

We knew the dog most of his life and until the last few years he had been treated just fine. As he aged his owners apparently did less and less for/with him. As a matter of fact we didn't even realize he hadn't died until a few months back when his owner mentioned that he was still at the home. He was then turned in to our vet's office a couple of months back and that was when we got reaquainted with him.

Thank goodness, my heart nearly stopped when I read that. My sincerest apologies, I didn’t know who Bob O was. One of my girls was dumped at my vet at 6 weeks old by her “family kennel breeder” and nearly didn’t make it, so I am probably overly sensitive at times regarding these situations. Bless you for taking him and if you ever need donations for his care, please PM me.

No problem. Thanks for the offer but our vet is still giving him free care for most of the "big stuff" (I guess the fact we have four others going to them regularly makes her figure she could help out some for him). We're paying for the little stuff; food, toys, bedding, treats and tennis balls which he loves.

he sounds like a wonderful boy congrats on ur new boy give him some extra smooches and a belly rub from Aussi n I. You guys are wonderful people helping out all the fur kids that you can

I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE this post Vickie. I have so much respect and adoration for you and Bob. I wish so many more people in this world were like you and the rest of the forum members who have opened their hearts and homes to dogs that have been "thrown away." My mom has a Cocker Spaniel she rescued from Shorewood Cocker Rescue, she was severely emaciated and near death when she was found. Gypsy helped heal my mom's heart after the loss of her precious Abby (a blind since 6 months, deaf at 10 years and severly arthritic 14 year old ACS she lost in 2000). There is a special place for people like you and for people like Maddie's former owners and they are polar opposites in my book. Again, THANK YOU for all that you do and to all the others that make a difference in the eyes of their canine companion, bless you.

There is no other love like that of a dog and they are a great judge of character.

Sweet! Thank you for sharing thoughts all of us here would probably feel in the same situation.