Because of all your kind words, and because I'm in the right frame of mind  ( I think) I hope you don't mind if I share more of Willow and Seven with you. I include Seven because Willow inspired me to adopt him, so I consider him part of her story.

I am so very lucky to have been blessed with Willow and Seven. They both had such sad stories, as all rescue babies do. But neither one of them had a home until they came here...both already seniors.

Willow had been found as a young dog, under a year old, living under the floorboards of a warehouse. She was taken to a rescue and lived there for about 10 years. She was adopted out twice for very short periods of time and then returned to the rescue. I don't know why...she was so sweet and so well behaved. When I saw her I fell in love but was concerned that she would need more care than I could give her. But then I found Tripawds and learned that wasn't the case! And when I realized that cancer would take her, probably sooner rather than later, I knew that she had to have a home before she died, and that it should be with me. I'm so happy that I was able gain the knowledge I needed from Tripawds to make one of the best decisions of my life!

And Sally, here's more about Willow to answer your questions. Willow hated the water. But she did love to sunbathe and drink ice water while lounging outside. She and I spent so many hours together in the backyard. The guy next door was afraid of her and she knew it, so anytime she heard his voice she would go charging up the side hill to the fence and bark like crazy. I know it was bad, but it made me laugh so much every time! Willow was a hunter... she would check every inch of the yard and chase the lizards and anything else that dared to enter her yard! In between hunting expeditions she would rest and relax for minute and then was off and running again. She was very fit for an old lady, and at 50 lbs she was the perfect size, because that last week before she died I was able to carry her everywhere. My sweet girl, I miss her so much.

When Willow died my heart broke into a million pieces. I hurt so much I didn't think it would ever stop hurting. I know there are people who don't believe that she and I could have been so bonded because she was only with me for 14 1/2 months, but from the day she came home with me it was like she had been mine forever. Although I was devastated when I had to let her go, I knew that I wanted to give another dog a home, and quickly...a dog who, like Willow, might get overlooked because it wasn't "perfect".  And then came Seven...

Seven had been abandoned at a boarding/training facility when he was a few years old. He supposedly was taken in for training because he fought with the family's other dog, but I have my doubts. His ears were cut way too short...probably with scissors, he has scars everywhere, and his tail has been dislocated at some point...so I suspect someone may have tried to use him to fight but it didn't work out. I'm fairly certain that his deafness and his neurological disorder saved him. And at least he ended up in a "safe" place. He lived at that facility for about 8 years because the woman that owned it felt bad for him. Then she had to close down and the rescue where I got Willow took Seven in. When Willow passed away and I went to the rescue to meet some dogs, Seven was the one they said would have the hardest time finding a home because he's a big guy, has Cerebellar Ataxia (not progressive, at least not at this point), was supposedly having seizures and was thought to have a brain tumor (no seizures in the last 9 months and vets aren't thinking brain tumor any more) So he got a home with me! He has changed so much since coming home...he was stressed and underweight at the rescue. It took some time and a lot of patience, but he is now a calm guy, has gained 15 lbs (now a beautiful 93 lbs), and regular walks have us both fit and strong and have helped his balance and coordination immensely.

Thank you for letting me share their stories with you, especially because one of them isn't a Tripawd. I'm so proud of both of them, and so in awe of their spirit and grace in spite of how they're lives started out.

Thank you Tripawds family. You're the best!

With love,
Carol

The first time Willow and I met (sorry, not the best photo):

Willow and I spent a lot of time together hanging out in the backyard:

This is how Seven lived for about 8 years, poor guy:

How Seven lives now, and how they should all be able to live: