The Rancher’s Daughter meets Mickey

Mickey. SOMEBODY slipped me a MICKEY when I wasn’t looking! Rescue a homeless dog today; these animals need us more than you know. They are amazing, loyal, innocent creatures…they need love and a home.

I ran to Petco 3 years ago on a Saturday morning, and there he was.

This dog needed rescuing in the worst way.

The tiniest little puppy. He was so sad, so depressed, looked like he had lost his last friend, if he ever had any.

I knew I was taking him home with me.

I asked the Humane Society to let me hold him.

We were instantly bonded.

Me and Mickey.

Not me and the Humane Society.

Those are great folks and I love what they do.

But the bonding was between Mickey and me.

I loved him, he loved me, and he was going home with me.

Now here is the humane society with several dogs with NO home.

You would not believe what they put you through to adopt a homeless puppy.

The cost was $95, that part was fine. I am happy to contribute to a worthy cause.

The paperwork was ridiculous. You would think I was adopting a child.

They called references, they verified information on my application. I would not put the dog down, he was not going back in that cage.

He was SO tiny.

I forgot what I came to Petco for. Oh well. While they processed his paperwork, me and Mickey shopped. (more bonding)

I picked up some food, a tiny collar, and about an hour later we were riding to his new home.

This tiny little puppy was so glad to be going home with me.

He had been found in a wooded area. He had a healed wound of some type on his back. There is still a scar there. We are talking about a puppy that weighed about 3 pounds. On his own, alone, and unloved. OMG! Till NOW!

We think maybe someone shut a door on him, or maybe another animal hurt him, but it is an actual “indention” on his back that barely has any hair.

I had two pugs at home already, was not sure how this was going to work out, but that was not what I was worried about.

What I was worried about was LB.

When I showed up with a new dog, there would be heck to pay.

But, as Scarlet O’Hara would say, “I won’t worry about that today. I’ll worry about that tomorrow.”

And that is how Mickey came to live here as my trusted and devoted friend.

But there’s more. A lot more.

He stuck to me like glue. I bathed him, took about 3 times the first day, I was trying to be so gentle with that little bitty dog. I finally got all the fleas off. Mickey was so little, I took a nice soft dry bath towel, and placed it by my mouse pad. He laid there, sleeping and so contented, so adorable.

He would not let anyone near him but me. Not LB and not Magpie. He would not leave my office.

My “office” is a work at home office just outside my bedroom door. So he was NEVER alone, he was just liking that SAFE feeling. We gave him TIME. I took a small Priority Mail Box and filled it with soft blankets, and he learned to jump in that and called that “his bed.”

When I went to cook, he’d cry. I’d pick him up, box and all, and put him in a warm spot with me in the kitchen while I’d cook.

Doors scared him to death. I think a door might be what hurt his back, not sure, I was not there. But if I HAD been there, and could get my hands on whoever abused him, well, we won’t go there.

Eventually, a “nose” would come out of my office door.

Then a leg, then a body. Eventually, he came to love LB and Magpie. When a dog has been abused, and he feels renewed, he regains trust. That trust should NOT be abused. The animal thinks of you as his rescuer; therefore he wants to forever rescue YOU in return. Not just “trust.” I’m talking about, “I’ll Protect You Trust.” He thinks he I am his love and his life, and that is ok; this little dog is in a place where he is pampered, fed, taken care of, and most of all: loved. LOVED. Dogs need love, love one; they will love you BACK one thousand fold. More than we deserve.

He never leaves my side. Thank you Lord that I work at home, and can be with him always. He sleeps with me, works with me, we are rarely apart. That is really hard sometimes? But if I even make a move like I am about to run to the grocery store? Like put on shoes, fix hair, etc.? He is nervous; lots of anxiety. He is afraid I will leave him. So I never do. How’s that for the Love of a Dog?

~ the Rancher’s Daughter adopts Mickey