The Diary Of An Angel

Adopt 08 Contest

I remember sitting at the computer looking at the local pound website. Seeing this beautiful ridgeback girl. 2 weeks had passed and no one had come to claim her. She was going to be euthanized but the pound decided to take her to one of the local shelters. She was taken to the shelter that I was volunteering at. I remember she was so frightened and terrified of people. Would just lie there in the kennel. After a few days passed she came out of her shell and I could see that she was a wonderful dog. The shelter staff had called her Sharna.

Everytime I showed her to someone she would lie in her kennel, wanting to have a new home so badly but no one ever showed any interest. She was part of a group of 4 dogs that were very good pals. They would go for walks together, play together. 4 long months went past and Sharna had still not found a home. The holidays were coming up so we decided to foster her out for a few weeks. She fit straight into the family although she was very frightened at first. She even tried to bite me a few times. She was terrified of sticks and water. Especially men who wore hats. After that one week we knew that we couldnt take her back to the shelter so we decided to adopt her.

Sharna was the best dog that I ever had. She was such a sweetheart that just wanted human love. She just wanted to make us happy. I may have only owned her for two and a half years but the bond we shared was amazing. I never thought that I could be that attached to an animal. She was there for me on my bad days and always greeted me with a wagging tail. She put up with all the foster dogs I brought home and after a while got rid of some of her bad habits ( and picked up some, BOL!)

I still remember the day Sharna died like it was yesterday. It was the morning of September 12th so mum was still a little upset from the day before. (September 11th in the USA). It was a terrible day for everyone. Sharna was so happy and healthy the day before and when I found her at 7am she was very close to death. I knew that she wasnt going to make it as I comforted her in the examination room at the vets. You could tell that the vets didnt think she was going to make it either. As she lay on the steel table I stroked her head and was fighting back tears. She was given a dose of anti vemon but it was to late. At 2:30pm that day we got a phone call from the vet saying that they had done everything that they could but she had passed away. It was a sad day for everyone in our family. I was overwhelmed with grief and cried for many days.

A paralysis tick caused Sharna's death. I miss her so much. She will always hold a special place in my heart. She was such a kind and devoted dog. I am so glad that I got to give her a happy ending to her bad life. I am glad that I tought her that not all humans are bad and that there is such thing as love. You could tell that she was very thankful to have a great home and she enjoyed it very much.

This is why you should opt to adopt. Shelter dogs are always so thankful to be given a second chance and that feeling of being able to save a life is just amazing!