Consumer Reports

Ginger’s Note: Our guest blogger this week is my dog. The blog below is his story… I just typed the words for him. Hello, I’m Conroe. Over 2 years ago my human was taken to a hospital. Someone was supposed to come take me in, but no one did, so I remained on the porch of my house waiting for my human to return. I waited for a long, lonely time. Thank goodness for the kindness of some neighbors who brought me food and water. The Converse Animal Shelter staff would occasionally stop by to check on me. They invited me to go to the shelter with them, but I declined. I needed to stay at my house so my human could find me when he came home. All I had was my blanket and a chew toy to keep me company. I waited for as long as I could for my human to return, but he never came. One day, I went to the car with the shelter ladies. When they invited me to come, I looked back at my house one last time and I knew that it was time to go. Life at the shelter was good. I had regular meals and other animals to talk to. I liked being around the shelter folks too. They took me for walks, petted me, and made me feel welcomed. Life was very busy at the shelter for me. I had important jobs like barking at strangers and sniffing other dogs to make sure they passed muster. Lots of people would come to the shelter looking to adopt a pet. We would all get so excited with the hope of getting a home and some new humans. I would always wag my tail fiercely and be very friendly, but many times the humans were looking for kitties or puppies. Sometimes humans would come in looking for an adult dog, but when they found out I was 8 years old and I had a heart problem, they would pass me by. I was in the shelter for about a year. I was promoted to shelter greeter. I would meet visitors at the door and show them around the place. Despite really loving my job and being happy enough at the shelter, I still hoped for a home of my own. Then last Christmas a lady came to the shelter. I greeted her and showed her around the place. She looked briefly at the kitties and puppies. The whole time she kept bending over to pet and talk to me. She went up to the desk and told a staff member that she was looking to rescue an older dog and she asked about me. I was so excited! I held my breath when they told her my age and about my heart problem. The lady bent down, held my chin, looked deep into my gentle, brown eyes, and then she said the most wonderful thing in the world, “Even a sweet old-timer with a faulty ticker needs a good home, right?” She adopted me and took me home for Christmas! I love snuggling up with my lady and being petted. I have 2 other dogs and a cat to hang out with. I love my family, although I have to keep a close eye on the cat. Keeboo is always swatting my behind and raising her paw to give me a high five. She seems to think she is a football player. If it hadn’t been for the shelter taking me in and giving me a safe place to live until I was adopted, I probably wouldn’t be here telling this story today. If you have the resources, please consider adopting a pet this holiday from an animal shelter. If you can’t adopt an animal, the Humane Society , American Society for the Prevention and Cruelty to Animals , or your local animal shelter can always use cash donations to pay for medicine, spaying/neutering, and pet supplies. You can always donate supplies or volunteer to help out around a shelter. On a final note, animal abuse generally increases during tough economic times. As people get more stressed they can begin taking their frustration and anger out on family pets. If you of know of animal abuse, please check out this reporting animal abuse page or contact the ASPCA . To my fellow rescued pets, please post a comment and share your rescue story. I will have my human help me post your comments!

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Donating to Animal Shelters This Holiday