A Beautiful Soul Needs a Place to Call Home

[caption id="attachment_1205" align="alignright" width="266"] PHOTO CREDIT: Kisa Kavass Photography


There are many truly heartwarming and heartbreaking times in rescue. We take in so many dogs that I feel would never have a chance otherwise and their stories are often full of tragedy, trauma, neglect and sadly, pain. Such is the story of Xena, a sweet brindle female we rescued last winter. Her story became known when animal control responded to a complaint of neglect and cruelty. They found her chained up behind what should have been her home, on a windy, bitter cold winter night. She had no shelter, no food or water and was in the very late stages of her pregnancy. I try not to think about how many nights she spent hungry, curled up in a ball shivering, trying to stay warm. The AC officer decided to immediately seize Xena, intending to bring her back to the shelter where at least she would be dry, warm and have food. When she arrived back at the shelter, she found it full with dogs that had arrived earlier that day. Her choices were then to either allow Xena to be euthanized, or try to find a way to help her. She found a local vet where Xena could stay for a couple of days and she put out a plea to every rescue she could find, asking for help. When no one stepped up to take her in, she became part of our rescue and forever part of our hearts. The day after arriving in foster care, Xena had her puppies. She was a great, caring mother to her babies, who later found amazing families of their own. Now nearly a year later, Xena is still waiting.. Her rescue was heartwarming, but seeing her excitement and hope when greeting people at events, is the heartbreaking part because it has never been HER day. She is a very smart dog and is incredibly eager to please. I taught her "sit", "shake" and "down" in 5 minutes one day. This is why I know that Xena absolutely understands that she is being overlooked each time someone passes her at an event. Potential adopters are giddy with delight at meeting our puppies, or are immediately drawn to some of our other dogs, but never Xena. Maybe she seems too average, I honestly couldn't say for sure, because what I see is an incredibly loyal dog that would make the most devoted companion. I see a dog that never has a bad day and has never met a stranger. I see a dog that regardless of the cards life has dealt her, she is still so happy and hopeful for the day someone picks her. What worries me the most, is that someday that flame of hope that burns so brightly within her with flicker and die. Xena has not given up, so I refuse to either because we promised her a family and a better life. We must deliver because she deserves nothing less than the most amazing family out there. Her requirements are simple, a home with another calm male dog or she would like to be the only dog. Her bubbly personality may also be a little much for small children and knock them over, but a home with older children would be fine. She would love a fenced in yard, but this is not required if she is able to go with her family on daily walks. Xena is house-trained, crate-trained, rides in the car like a pro, she loves vanilla ice cream and Arby's roast beef sandwiches. If all of her dreams could come true and she could wake up Christmas morning with her family, then ours would too. Someone please give this amazing, sweet, loyal dog a chance. You will not regret it!

Xena's adoption fee is $200 which includes her vaccinations, fecal exam, deworming, heartworm test (she is NEG), spay surgery and micro-chipping.  Those looking to add Xena to their family can fill out our adoption application via this link: https://www.formstack.com/forms/?1201327-X9yESEs4rG.