Blind Willie Gets Adopted!
Just three weeks after one of our volunteers from Missoula, Kate W., adopted blind Luke, we have another wonderful adoption to report. One of our volunteers, Katie R. from Helena, adopted blind Willie today! Katie had been planning on adopting Willie for a few weeks, but was waiting until she got married -- just two days ago, on Friday! So on her way to Twentynine Palms, California, where her new husband Greg G. is stationed with the Marine Corps, Katie stopped by this morning to scoop up the Beagle boy and take him with her.
Willie was always a bit of a wallflower and quite timid around people. Often he seemed interested in people until they got to within a couple of feet of him, but then he would drop to the ground and slink. (We suspect plenty of abuse in his past.) Yet the first time Willie heard Katie's voice, he sprang to life and started running in circles, tail up, just as joyful and as happy as could be. He was incredibly excited at the sound of her!
Alayne was there to witness his reaction, and she couldn't believe the transformation. We had never seen him like this before. From then on, we figured we had an adoption in the works.
In our spring newsletter article about Willie, we joked that he was learning how to be a Beagle and would soon graduate from Beagle Basic Training. We invoked the U.S. Army's famous motto, which for Willie meant, "Be all you can Beagle." But little did we know at the time that Willie's future would actually involve the U.S. Marine Corps, not the Army!
I took this photo of the newly married couple and their newly adopted Willie just before they left on the long drive to California. Less than two hours later, Katie called from the road to say Willie had already climbed from the back of the car and into the front seat, and was now lying sound asleep on her lap as she drove.
I think this is going to work out just fine!
(Click on photo for larger image.)
OMG I am soooo happy for Willy and his new mommy and daddy :) I just have to say I come here so much it just warms my heart so much you and your wife are amazing and i cant tell you how much you make so much of a difference to so many animals out there :) we have six dogs and all from a shelter and i would take in any animal that needed me if i could :) what a wonderful new family :) Congrats to you all !
Posted by: Emma | July 13, 2007 at 02:27 AM
What a sweet family portrait. You go, Willie.
Posted by: Janet | June 26, 2007 at 02:37 PM
Congrats to the new couple & their new addition! That is wonderful news, I am so happy for Blind Willie!!!
Posted by: Danielle | June 26, 2007 at 02:31 PM
I had just come back from Paris when I read of Willie's adoption: what great "welcome home" news!:-)
I'm sooo happy for Willie, Katie & Greg. I believe adopting a furkid is a wonderful way to start married life.
Congratulations to all involved,
Carla in Italy
Posted by: Carla Polastro-Nigro | June 26, 2007 at 01:38 AM
This is a beagletiful story.
I love this. God bless Willie and his new family.
Posted by: angie | June 25, 2007 at 08:01 PM
Wow, You go Willie !
What a sweet, sweet story. God bless the three !
Posted by: Karen | June 25, 2007 at 02:58 PM
Congratulations to Willie - sounds like a match made in heaven, I'm so happy for all of you. Another great story ending from the Ranch!
Posted by: Katy | June 25, 2007 at 10:28 AM
Congratulations to Katie and Greg on their marriage and adoption of their boy, Willie. It sure sounds as if Willie knew who he wanted and chose his human well! Best wishes to all!!
Posted by: Miranda | June 25, 2007 at 09:48 AM
What a great adoption story. It sounds like Willie has found a wonderful home. Yay!
Posted by: Linda O'Neill | June 25, 2007 at 08:53 AM
AWESOME! I am so excited for Willie! He is such a wonderful dog... And just think! He will be back in a warmer climate...
Posted by: Laura B | June 25, 2007 at 08:26 AM
Oh I am crying tears of unbelievable joy in reading this!!! To have seen him come so far and now to have him find the one person he was obviously waiting for his whole life!
I am so, so happy words cannot adequately express.
Posted by: Morgan Skilling | June 25, 2007 at 08:16 AM
What a happy looking (new) family!
Congratulations on your marriage Kate and Greg and what a great wedding gift to give one another....Willie!
Be safe and happy and thank you for sharing your love with Willie.
Posted by: Boundforglory | June 25, 2007 at 07:42 AM
What a happy family! Willie knew a great thing when he heard Katie's voice, & he followed his ears to a new home! Congrats to the new family & we wish them a lifetime of love & happiness together.
Big hugs,
ginger, Tobias & the cat that came in the dog door (still without a name)
Posted by: ginger & Tobias (the greythound) | June 25, 2007 at 06:07 AM
Sounds like a wonderful match for Willie!!! So glad he picked his new mom (dad included!) Katie!
Posted by: Nina | June 25, 2007 at 05:29 AM
Katie, Congrats on Willie and getting married!! I know Willie is in good hands with you. I will miss working with you as a volunteer. Keep in touch.
Posted by: Laura Whale | June 24, 2007 at 11:49 PM
When I saw the headline I yelled very loud and enthusiastically to my husband, "Oh my gosh Willie got adopted!!!!” What a great story!! We hope to adopt from the Rolling Dog Ranch in the future and have our eye on a few of the residents at Widget’s House.
Posted by: Shirley & James | June 24, 2007 at 10:19 PM