Animal Success Stories
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Apache’s Happy Tails Story
I adopted Apache from the rescue group
colliesheltierescue.org
in Colorado, after losing my soul dog Rumi. Rumiboy was a miniature sheltie and was also my service dog for 14.5 years. I was absolutely heartbroken and filled with grief at the time. Truth be told, I didn’t really feel ready for another dog. And Apache had been a puppy mill animal, so we didn’t know about his prior treatment or how he would adjust. However, there was something about him that called me.
I felt it was Rumi who led me to Apache, knowing I needed help healing. I remember perusing sheltie rescue sites and wondering why I was on them? When I got to the this site, Apache appeared. I remember sitting up in my chair and saying our loud, “Why did you show me this dog? I’m not ready… my heart is still healing!” But Apache’s presence would not leave my mind. I kept going back to the website, and several days afterwards, I filled out an application and began the process…
Approximately 3 weeks later I flew from Phoenix to Denver to meet Apache. He was a sweet, mischievous, and precious little boy full of love. However he wouldn’t come to anyone. Within hours of meeting him, he came to me. His foster parents, Tom and Andrea, were kind enough to allow me to stay that night and have more time with Apache. The next day I was sure he was to go home with me. And they were delighted and comfortable with the match.
Apache is extremely smart and funny! I think Rumi choose him for me for many reasons… but mostly because he’d make me laugh. What I felt after reading his history and then meeting him, was that he needed me as much as I needed him. And this, is the absolute truth.
Apache’s now been with me for 4 months and we grow closer everyday. He let’s me know when he wants to go out and has not had a single accident in the house. He has been very trainable, yet independent, loving, and entertaining. Although he’s a bit of a thief and wants to take everything new to the living room and play with it, he has not destroyed anything. He loves playing with other dogs and has begun to trust and love people too. He’s learning obedience and commands very quickly and is an amazing animal. He’s very happy, and now feels secure.
I’m Apache’s fifth home. The love and trust between us grows daily. Apache is put through a lot of things in his training for a service animal and he’s had to develop trust very quickly. I recently took a trip where I could not take him with me, and left him with a friend who also had shelties. When I returned a week later, he smelled me all over and then jumped into my lap with joy. I remember feeling his communication… he expressed surprise that I came back, said no one ever had. When we got home he jumped on the bed and rolled in my covers with delight. He finally knows without a doubt that I am home.
I am deeply grateful for
both sets of his rescue foster parents, and this whole organization. Thank you Tom, Andrea, and Hope - the executive director,
for working to match us. Apache is with me for life.
I wonder sometimes why we call these animals ‘rescue animals’ when in truth, they come to rescue us. When you lose a dog… open your heart to another asap. They come into this world for us, and are simply waiting to serve individuals and humanity in a deeply spiritual way. Without good homes, we are both denied the gifts they bring.
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