ADOPT 09 CONTEST AND STROLL

Written by my mum;

Cherry, where do I start? I suppose starting at the beggining would be the way to go.

I was young, and had wanted a dog for so long. My parents finally gave in, and we wanted to adopt a dog. So, off to the local shelter we went. We saw the most beautiful cattle dog cross named Bud. I fell in love right away. And so did my mum. We went into the office to sign the papers, but he was already adopted. So our search continued.

We bumped into one of the ladies at the markets, and she said that there was the perfect dog for us waiting at the shelter! So the next day we went. I remember those 7 or 8 years ago, walking into that shelter, passing all the barking dogs, each and every one longing for a new home. As guilty as I felt for just passing them all, I had to see this one little dog who the staff had named "Cherry". We came to a halt in front of one of the cages, and I looked down to see a little staffy cross. She sat there, quietly with her gorgeous little cross eyes staring at us. She pawed at the cage quite delicately. Her petite little paws working so hard for our loving attention. I looked at her, along with mum and dad. And it was just one of those love at first sight stories.

The 9 month old pup ran around our yard, sniffing and peeing everywhere. She traumatized Charlie the cat, but soon learnt that Charlie was dangerous after recieving a few scratches.

A fair few years passed and I found out that I suffered anxiety. I would get scared of tsunami's, vomiting, literally everything. Life was a living hell, I can tell you that. After Lassie passed away, things only got worse. I would cry every night and think I had nothing left to live for. I didn't care if I died, I wanted to get away from all the pain, the horror of life itself.
But every night, Cherry was there for me. Laying in bed with me, she snuggled up to me, and licked the tears away. I always tried to hide the pain from mum and dad, so Cherry was my shoulder to cry on.

My friends always laughed and called me a freak that I was so freaked out about Tsunamis. I live a 5 minute walk away from the beach, which really didn't help. I could barely even enjoy a walk on the beach. But with a little hastling from Cherry, she got me there. Cherry and I, we're a team. We got passed the laughing and name-calling of others, Cherry with her cross-eyes, and me with my anxiety. Another thing that really triggered my anxiety, was a fear of murderers coming inot my room. Before Cherry, I used to lay in bed, by myself just staring at nothing in the darkness, in fear. But then came along Cherry. I know I have someone to protect me. I am not scared anymore. I am confident, because as well as being my baby and best friend, Cherry is my protector.

Things have calmed down so much with me now, with the help of Cherry and Rusty. I know realise I have something left to live for. Yep, that's my babies. Cherry is my baby really. She is my best friend, my darling.

Cherry and I, we are best friends. We visit the old folkes home regulary, and she works wonders. I love to see all the friendly faces of the people, and Cherry tricks get everyone smiling! One time I will never forget, is when Cherry and I met a a lovely old woman who doesn't talk much at all. Apparently you are very lucky to get any words out of her. But the moment she saw Cherry, her ace lit up, and er world just opened up. "Puppy, puppy, puppy!" She didn't stop talking, it was so amazing. I could feel the tears coming to my eyes.

Cherry and I, we are also a team in agility. We wipe the crowd away. Overtaking border collies, kelpies...we show what staffies have got!
But, talking about Cherry being a staffy...I actually have no idea what she is crossed with. It is a real mystery. But I don't care what breed she is...all that matters to me is that I have her...not someone else.

Hey, something else. Another mystery my baby has left me with...is
can she understand humans? Or was it just a coincidence? One time I was in one of my moods because I was going with mates to a beach where dogs weren't aloud...do no Cherry :( I told her we were going and she couldn't come. Anyway, when we got home..there was a hole in the yard and Cherry was gone. But luckily the neighbours left a note saying they had found Cherry about 1 km away, sniffing around, nose in the air. I was so thankful it was the neighbours who found her. That is the first, and only time she has EVER ran away. There have been many other incidents of her "understanding" me too.

Now, enough of Cherry supporting me...it is my time to support Cherry. She is battling cancer, getting constant mast cell tumours and having 3 surgeries already. I am constantly worrying and have had numerous vet trips. I don't know when her time will be up, but I am going to do my best to give her the longest, bestest life she could ever dream of.

To conclude, this is just a very very short version of the story of Cherry and I. I could go on for hours, motnhs, years...as long as I live talking about how wonderful Cherry is. And I am happy to say, me and Cherry and still here...here for each other. What adoption means to me - someone to help me through tough times, someone to always be there for me, someone who loves me no matter what, someone to lay with me at night, a shoulder to cry on, and a dog of many mysteries. I adopted in October 2001, and it was the best desiscion in my life.

Trip to the Old Folks Home

Yesterday mum and I went for a visit to the old folks home! Boy, did we have a great time! First, we went to all the liunges to see everyone. They all loved me, and I loved them too. After that, we went to the chapel because about 20 residents were doing exercises. They were all in a big circle. The nice lady showing us around said aI could perform. I showed the residents all my tricks, and they loved it!! I loved getting all the cheering too.
After that, everyone got to pat me. The smiles I brought to their faces was priceless. And their was one indigenous lady who I just loved. She got so excited when she saw me enter the room! She was yelling, "puppy, puppy, puppy!" in a very excited manner, and I went straight to her. She enthusiasticly petted me, and I didn't want to leave her side, BOL!
It was very nice doing such a good deed, and mum enjoyed it too! EVERYONE (literally) was very surpirsed when mum said I was turning 8 in a month...they all thought I was a fresh little puppy!

I can't wait to go on Friday. I get to see everyone, and perform on stage for ALL the residents...not just 20!

Wanna See My Weekly Updated Diary Entries?

If so, I don't post them here. Rusty and I share diary entries in the "Down Under Chickadees" profile.
http://www.dogster.com/dogs/621785
Please check it out!!

ADOPT 08

Cherry started off as a stray, long before I knew her. She then got taken to a shelter, and sat, wished, and waited for a home.
But, fate brought us together. I was in search for a dog, but little did I know, a shelter dog, is a best friend….
I was looking through the wire cages, seeing big sad eyes, and wagging tails of dogs in hope for a second chance. This all made it so hard on me. But, in a glance, I saw the most beautiful dog. She came by the name of “Cherry”, a Staffordshire bull terrier cross boxer. I just knew she had to be mine! So, a walk went, and the cash I payed.
We were going home, and the look on Cherry’s face was just priceless.

Over the next few years I’ve done I.Q tests with her, with her getting at least 2 points away from the highest score, and even once getting the highest score! She has won many many agility and jumping competitions, and we have just started to do obedience as well.
She is my dream dog too…well, except that she would love to kill each and every cat she sees! Although, wait, I’ll take that back. Charlie is the only cat Cherry doesn’t touch…Charlie is too scary! But, Cherry is such a snuggle bug, and she lets me dress her in things from dog T-shirts, to dog sports jackets, and even her dog bathrobe! She is also extremely people friendly, likes some dogs (mainly the un-“fixed up” males! =S) and she is extremely photogenic! This means, much to the computers disgust, there are many millions of photos uploaded a month! =P

Well, in conclusion of me sharing a short but sweet version of Cherry and our life together, I just want to say that I could not recommend adopting a shelter dog any more than I do right now. Because, this is my motto, “Give a shelter dog a best friend, and you’ll get one right back”

I’d also like to say, that since adopting Cherry, in support of animal shlters, I volunteer and give up my time at a non kill animal shelter…the same one Cherry came from.
By Kelly, Cherry's mum.

Playdate with a Dogster Pal!

Yesterday, I went on a playdate with Sharna's sister Shandi! Mum was really surprised, because usually I am growly and grumpy with other females (not Lassie of course). But, with Shandi, that was another story. I was great with Shandi! I actually RAN with her, and I normally never ever run with another dog. And I only growled once at Shandi! Unfortunately mum didn't bring the camera, but next time she will =D

Valentines Tag!

Yipee! I've been tagged by Sadie!

Here's how it works:
"I am going to tell you 5 Valentine wishes, and then tag 5 friends with pmails or rosettes.
I will then write a diary entry and name the pals I tagged. Those friends tag 5 new friends, and so on…"

1. For my pressie to arrive from Jakey ♥
2. For all pups to have a grrreat Valentines Day!
3. To perhaps, see Samson
4. Get a good walk down at the beach
5. Get a bucket full of hugs from my mummy!

My Tagged Pals:
1. Jake (631939)
2. Pogo (572515)
3. Nutmeg (186735)
4. Kuai (389726)
5. Brutus (176902)

The Result...

SUCCESS!!!!! All the prayers have actually worked! It turned out just to be a fatty lump, that a may have bruised a few years back! Thank you so much everypup who has supported me through this! I couldn't thank you all enough!!

The Horror of Being Dropped off

Right, Thursday morning began good, I was happy, I was INSIDE and Lassie was OUT. So, I expected that I was being treated like a princess, and this would be princess day for Cherry. By this time, I had furgotten all about my operation. But then, things seem to get worse.....

I didn't have anything to eat or drink that morning, and then, mum got my leash. "Oh great mum", I thought, "you're planning me to take me on a walk with an empty stomch?" But, I let her clip the leash. Mum put me into the car, and we were off!

We arrived at the vets, I got weighed, and, we got taken into a special room with lots of new smells! But then, I got put into a really small cage. As mum walked out I started crying, you know dog crying. As mum turned around, I saw here wet face, and it made me cry more.....

Oh Dear, a Delay

Oh deery me! My operation has been delayed until Thursday :( Now, we have to have an extra couple of days worrying. Just wanted to let you all know, and I'd like to yet again thank you all who have given me rosettes, special gifts, and stars! You all really are the shiny stars of my Dogster life :)

I'll have more info on Thursday ;)

Love,
Cherry xoxoxoxoxx

One More Day!

OMD, one more day until my operation! The suspense is just so agonizing!! I'm really hoping that everything will beOK, its going to be a big scary day, and I'll come home with stiches, AND the result *gulp* So, I'm still hoping hard, mums still praying hard, I'll updateyou tomorrow to see how it goes ;)

Cherry xoxoxoxox