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Do something kind | 3
Victory! | 19
my victory story Written by
Trina
{ with the help of Patti Muncaster }
"Today is her last day."
...was the first thing I heard that day. I’d been at the shelter for a long time, and no one showed any interest in adopting me. I hear them saying dogs are being put to sleep. Sleep sounds so good ...
"She has a rescue."
I don’t understand. They are taking me somewhere else? What is going to happen to me now? I’ll lay down and they won’t be able to move me. I can run. I can ...
"You're safe now,"
...she said as she brought me in the building. There are soft places here. She isn’t trying to touch me. Yet. There are other dogs here. They look nice. I wonder if they would be my friends. It’s been so long. Wait! Watch out! She’s coming! They aren’t scared? She left that gate down, maybe I will see for myself. Maybe.
"She's sleeping on my foot,"
...she whispered into that little box. The lady might be okay, but the box isn’t, it makes scary noises. I was right, the dogs are nice! I think they’ll be my friends! They play with me. They let me sleep with them. The lady gives us “treats.” Treat is a good word. I think Trina is a good word too. Whenever the lady says it, she smiles.
"I’m keeping her."
...she said. The lady has a name now. It is Mommy. She says I’m staying forever! Turns out she wasn’t trying to hurt me. She was trying to rub my back. And guess what? I’m not potty trained after all! My brothers and sisters all go potty outside! I am trying, but sometimes I forget. Even when I forget, nobody hurts me. Time to play.
"She's an adopted dog,"
...everybody says that about me! That means someone cared. That means my life matters. That means I’ll always have people that love me. Nobody will ever hurt me again. I’ll never have to have puppies again. I’ll always be safe. I am an adopted dog.
Victory! | 21
paper and I heard him gasp. He pointed to “Cold Noses — Pet of the Week,” female Tortoiseshell, Cleopatra. This Cleopatra was at St. John’s County Animal Shelter. It couldn’t be. Could it? Would her her family have turned her over to a “kill shelter?” Panic set in. A quick call to St. John’s confirmed my worst fear. The microchip number matched. Now my head was spinning. I stewed about it all weekend. Finally, Monday I drove straight to St. John’s and there she was! My sweet Cleo. I adopted her and brought her back to Jacksonville, where I knew her life would be spared. With tears streaming down my face, I left with Cleopatra, having no idea of where I was going to take her. I called the Humane Society on the way home. They advised me that St. John’s should have contacted them when they found the chip. They let me bring her in, and they would put her up for adoption, again. No way was I going to let just anyone adopt her. I was getting more and more attached every time I went to visit. She was so sweet, loved to be brushed, and loved to get her ears rubbed. Each time I went home, I asked my husband if we could adopt her. Realistically, I knew it was a bad idea, but who could love her more than me?
blossomed. Winston Churchill
Two months passed. Out of the blue one Sunday morning, my husband said, “Let’s go visit Cleo. If she is still there we’ll bring her home.” What? OK, let’s go! When we arrived, one of the volunteers took me aside and said that Cleo had an adopter. They were there to pick her up! I went to the cat room and there were Cleo’s new pet parents. A young girl and her boyfriend. I was so excited. I told her all about Cleo. I was feeling relived that Cleo wouldn’t have to spend another night in a cage. A few days later I received a frantic email from Cleo’s new mom—she was allergic and could I take Cleo for her. My heart shattered. Really? How could this be happening to my girl … again. I agreed to meet her boyfriend at the Humane Society and switch over ownership from them to me. We finally headed home with Cleo. I can’t describe how right this felt. Cleo is now the queen of this house. She is the highest on the totem pole now with five—yes five— other kitties below her. She doesn’t get along perfectly with all of them, but she tolerates them. She is right where she belongs—sleeping next to us every night. The only regret I have is not adopting her the first three times I had the chance! •
Victory! | 23
Do something kind | 35
Deliah Morrisseau, 6
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