Diamond in the Ruff...

Everyone who knows me knows I love animals.   All animals.  I am a proud mommy to a very high maintenance Siberian Husky .  She is considered a family member, and I have always considered an additional four legged playmate for her.  I never acted upon it, until a few months ago.  I will set the scene for you.

It was a normal Friday night in my house.  My teenage boys were out with their friends, my fiancee’ was working late, so where was I?  On Facebook, naturally.  While scrolling down my newsfeed, I saw a post from the Brookhaven Animal Shelter that caught my attention.    There he was…”Brandon,” a senior Lab/Doberman mix.  The video that accompanied the post tugged at my heart.  It was love at first sight.  I had to have him. 

The next day, I took my son with me to the shelter to see “Brandon” up close and in person.  “Brandon” was an old, malnourished, flea infested stray with a double ear infection and breath that could slay a dragon- not to mention that he had  flies buzzing around his head as well.  The shelter had just picked him up the day before.  My son looked at “Brandon”, then me, then back to “Brandon”, and finally at me again with that look that said, “You are KIDDING me, right???”  He knew.  I didn’t have to say a word.  He knew  “Brandon” was going home with us. 

I brought my very snobby, very high maintenance Siberian Husky to the shelter, along with my Fiancee’ to meet “Brandon.”  I actually got the same stare down from her as well as my Fiancee’.  Every two and four legged being knew that I wasn’t going to leave “Brandon” at the shelter.  Like it or not, he was as good as ours.  I left the meager fee they ask for to hold “Brandon.”  They were going to shine him up for me and give him a good and thorough check up.  We picked him up the next day.

When we picked him up, we also gave him a new name. GUS.  A brand new name for his brand new life.  He is a good boy.  He has all of the comforts of a loving home, along with an entire family  that loves him.  Eight months later, he has gained weight, has his own yard, and he even had a visit to the dentist for the first time in his 12 to 14 years of life. 

Gus, my  4 legged boy who has brought so much joy to my entire family.  My Diamond in the Rough.  I don’t know how much time we have left with old Gus, however, I know that he knows what it is like to be loved. 

If you are thinking about adding a pet to your family, please consider rescuing one from a shelter.  Consider a senior dog or cat. They will make a great addition to your family.