Gabby

Every pet I have owned has been adopted or rescued from an unsafe or unsettling situation. I have never agreed with paying hundreds of dollars for a dog when there are thousands in shelters that need homes. I will never forget the day I rescued my dog. I looked for months for the perfect dog, the one that really called to my soul. I walked through shelters and perused adoption sites frequently, just searching for the perfect dog. I happened to stumble on a Facebook post in a local community group about a woman who had "too many Chihuahuas" so she had to get rid of some before having to "find another solution". I know what happens when dogs are relinquished to the pound, and I knew the other solution was likely to just abandon the unwanted dogs. The woman lived an hour away from me, so I almost did not go. I knew these dogs would end up abandoned on the side of the road though, so I had to at least go check it out.

It was May 21, 2013 at around 11 in the morning. I made my friend take the hour drive to the lady's house with me, so I was not going to a stranger's house alone. I got out of the car and could hear the high-pitched barks coming from the backyard. When I rounded the corner of the house, I saw a fenced in area probably about 10 feet by 10 feet with 8 adult chihuahuas and 4 puppies no more than 8 weeks old all crammed in the small, fenced area. My eyes immediately landed on a small, black puppy who was just staring back at me. I asked the woman about her. She said, "That one's Gabby. She gives me the most trouble." I knew in my heart she was the one. I told her I would take her. She asked if I was sure, pointing out the newer puppies she had while also telling me that Gabby was already 6 months old. I asked when she was born; the lady told me November 21, 2012 was the last litter she had before the new puppies came. November 21 was also my birthday, so this only further cemented my resolve.

I asked if I could hold Gabby. The old woman picked up Gabby and handed her to me. She immediately laid her head on my arm as if that had been her place her entire life. I told her I was sure this was the one. The woman said, "Good, she's yours. Have a nice day." I turned and went back to my car with my new dog, setting her in my friend's lap for the drive home. She shook the entire time and was covered in fleas. I immediately gave her a bath and treated her fleas, made a vet appointment, and told everyone I knew to please go help those other dogs. I wished I could have taken them all.

Gabby has been with me through changes in friends, boyfriends, houses, and careers. She has been my best friend when I needed someone the most. She is absolutely spoiled rotten. She has a bed in every room of the house because she must be always near me. She goes everywhere with my me and my son. Even more than before, I tell everyone how important adoption is. Just the thought that she could have been abandoned on the side of the road breaks my heart. I will forever advocate for adoption of any animal. I am so glad I decided to make the drive that day.