My story

     Before I found Mom and Dad, I was a young stray - all alone on the streets of Cleveland. During the day I would wander - avoiding everything scary like big dogs and trucks. At night I would hide in the weeds… scary things during the day are twice as scary at night! Rain really stings when it comes down hard hitting all over your body. When lightnening streaks across the sky you jump knowing thunder will hit next - loud and ground shaking. There were so many things I didn't like about being alone. One day a really nice lady saw me hiding in the weeds. She called me out and offered me a treat. I was too scared to eat the treat but the lady seemed nice. I let her pick me up and put me in her truck. She took me to a big building that had lots of other dogs and cats. There were other nice people there too but I was still scared from being on my own. They put me in my own cage and let me outside on a little patch of grass where I could run around in circles. Whenever I woke up there was food and water in dishes for me. When I got tired I could close my eyes and sleep. The scary things weren't in this building.

After a few short days, they took me out of my cage on a leash and led me to another room. This room was big with lots of space to run and toys to play with. But the best thing about this room was that was where I found my Mom and Dad! I loved them the first time I smelled them. We played and they clapped and called me as I ran around the room. They took me outside for a walk but I like to run; so, I just ran around them while they walked. After a bit, the people in the building took me back to my cage. I was by myself again but I wasn't sad or scared like I was when I was on my own. A little while later I found Mom and Dad again in that big room with the toys. They brought me a blanket and chew bone. They hugged and kissed me and clapped their hands while I ran around the room. We also went for another walk outside. When the people of the building took me back to my cage that time, they brought my new blanket and chew bone. It felt like Mom and Dad were in the cage with me - I could smell their love when I snuggled on my new blanket. Boy was that chew bone awesome - I had a great time grinding it down with my teeth. The next time I found Mom and Dad in the big room they were really excited! We didn't stay in that room long - they walked me out to their car and put me in the back seat. We left that big building with all the other dogs and cats and we never went back.

Every day since that first car ride has been my favorite! Mom and Dad love me so much and I really love them too. We share everything! They give me breakfast and dinner everyday! In the evening I get some mini milk bones or a broth bone. And our bed is really big - I get to sleep in the middle. Sometimes I snuggle against Mom and other times I snuggle against Dad. We have a big family but they don't all live with us. They do come to visit and we get to play and have treats. I love my family. We also have another house on wheels that we take to new places for sleepovers. We take lots of walks when doing sleepovers. I get to meet lots and lots of people. The little ones are especially sweet to me - they always say I'm so beautiful and they love me.

Sometimes when it storms or when I see a big scary dog I remember how it was on my own. I don't like remembering when I was scared and hungry; so, I snuggle a little closer to Mom or Dad. Looking up at them I see their smiles and feel their love and remember how happy I am that I found them.