How about a second incredibly happy ending in the same week?
John and Michelle W. from Buckley, Washington, had adopted a three-legged Border Collie named Cheyenne from us several years ago. Cheyenne had just endured having her right front leg cut in half by a leg-hold trap and was sitting in the animal control shelter in Browning, Montana, about to be euthanized. She had received no medical care for her leg or for her pain, and her leg was rotting and turning gangrenous. You can read Cheyenne's story here. Fast forward, and Cheyenne now happily runs John and Michelle's household, along with the rest of their dogs.
We had another connection with John and Michelle, because they had adopted several dogs from the same shelter in Shelton, Washington, where we adopted our own Dolly, Dillon and Shiloh when Alayne and I were living in Seattle.
John and Michelle recently lost their dog Molly to cancer, and they had always wanted to adopt another of our disabled animals when the time came. As it turned out, John emailed me about an adoption the same week that we had been asked to take Sweetie, the dog from ... yes, Browning, Montana. Maybe there's a little karma thing going on here, but Sweetie had ended up in the same shelter as Cheyenne, had the same mangled right front leg, and was rescued by the very same lady who had contacted us about Cheyenne.
Hmm.
John and Michelle said "yes" to Sweetie, and they drove out to the ranch today to pick her up and take her home.
Sweetie had been coming out of her shell while she was here, and had learned that no one was going to hit her. Although she still cowered initially, especially with men, once she realized she was safe with us she'd start wagging her tail and beaming a big smile. And while we typically don't let our dogs jump up on us, in Sweetie's case she had just started doing it ... and this was such an affirmation that she was trusting people and overcoming her fears that ... well, we were letting her do it. (We figured there was time to work with her on this later!) So here she is, saying goodbye to Alayne this afternoon:
Thank you, John and Michelle!
So I go out of town for a couple days and when I get back...TWO happy endings!!! Hooray for Sweety! I've been wondering about her since her arrival. Thanks John and Michelle!!!
Posted by: emily | May 10, 2008 at 10:46 AM
Awwe That is so great. Sweetie gets a happy Ending/Begining. Thank You Guys so much for everyhting you do. glad to hear this was a good week!
Posted by: Ashley | May 08, 2008 at 04:28 PM
I love reading all the happy, happy endings. It brightens my day each time to hear that these animals are getting a second chance with a loving family and will be loved and taken care of. It must be bittersweet for Alayne, Steve, and the staff at RDR to see each one go because they can't help but become attached to each animal. I'm sure it makes it easier to bear when they find special people like John and Michelle who will provide a loving home for these deserving animals.
Posted by: Gina | May 08, 2008 at 01:38 PM
That is GREAT!!!!!They are both such beautiful dogs and deserve wonderful homes. Also, thanks Steve for the monthly updates, I love to hear about what's happening at the ranch.
Posted by: Jan | May 08, 2008 at 12:44 PM
Wow, what a happy week! I will miss hearing more on Creighton and Sweetie, but what a perfect ending/beginning for them!
Thank you to all involved in saving them - now they can live the lives they are supposed to - and be loved.
Posted by: bregda,south africa | May 08, 2008 at 03:24 AM
OHHHHHHHHHHH....I just love these blogs when there is such a happy ending! I could tell Sweetie was special! Thanks for the wonderful pictures!
Posted by: Shirley & James, Portland, OR | May 07, 2008 at 09:40 PM
Yeah....what wonderful news for Sweetie!! Congratulations to all involved in making this a truly happy ending for a precious critter!
Posted by: Nina | May 07, 2008 at 07:22 PM
That's great news :) It's also nice to see that Sweetie is curled up with John given her fear of men. Congratulations to all!!
Posted by: Sharon | May 07, 2008 at 05:50 PM
Don't ya just love happy endings? Way to to Sweetie!
My little Frankie and I have been spreading the word during out school visits about your awesome ranch!!
Posted by: Barbara | May 07, 2008 at 10:37 AM
Congratulations to everyone...and happy new life to Sweetie.
Posted by: Jamie | May 07, 2008 at 09:30 AM
Awwww, that's nice. There's nothing like starting off a morning with a story that makes you smile. Do you remember the book series All Creatures Great and Small? Sure seems to me you could write a book that would sell really well too. You know.....in your spare time. :-) Maybe carry a small recorder with you & talk to it while you clean a stall and someone else could do the wordprocessing. Like nobody has ever suggested that! Ignore me, I'm just on a happy Sweetie high.
Posted by: Mircat | May 07, 2008 at 09:20 AM
Hooray for Sweetie and her new family! Two adoptions in one week? I like this trend. :o)
Posted by: Linda | May 07, 2008 at 09:04 AM
I'm so happy to hear such great news! Congratulation Brian, Michelle, Alayne, Steve and SWEETIE! It's truly magical when hearts are wide open.
Posted by: Margaret | May 07, 2008 at 08:57 AM
Absolutely wonderful story and pictures - Congratulations and a huge thank you to all involved!!
Am so happy for Sweetie.
Posted by: Angela | May 07, 2008 at 08:49 AM
There were definitely some universal powers putting these coincidences and ultimate adoption together!
Thank you John and Michelle for opening your heart and home to darling sweetie. I'm sure she'll enjoy life with you and her new dog pack.
Posted by: Boundforglory | May 07, 2008 at 07:24 AM
Great to read about another success story. :)
I must say though that I've let all the dogs I've had 'jump up' if they want to (don't have a problem with it myself), the trick is do they get down when you tell them to?
They have all learnt the the meaning of the phrases...
Hup
Down
and "don't even think about it"
Posted by: Andrew, NZ | May 07, 2008 at 05:49 AM
Oh yay! I love stories like that!! How and indeed - the universe works in mysterious and amazing ways.
Posted by: Morgan | May 07, 2008 at 05:26 AM
That IS fantastic news - I am very happy for Sweetie! :)
Posted by: maggie | May 06, 2008 at 11:31 PM
It seems of late, "When it rains, it pours." You were hit so hard with all the losses, I'm happy to see as much good goes around as well. The adoptions warm my heart and make my day.
Posted by: Nancy | May 06, 2008 at 09:39 PM
Yay! Beautiful dog comes out of shell / gets good home - so glad to hear Sweetie's doing well and going home. Thanks John and Michelle! ...And please send updates on Sweetie - would like to see more pics / hear more stories as she gets used to what a dogs life is supposed to be like.
Posted by: Karen | May 06, 2008 at 08:50 PM
Awesome! Congratulations!!!
Posted by: yoonamaniac | May 06, 2008 at 07:50 PM
Congrats to Sweetie and Creighton and everyone involved in these stories of tremendous love and devotion! Many, many happy years of lots of wet kisses and warm nights with two dogs who are truly man's best friend!
Posted by: Carolyn Kupferschmid | May 06, 2008 at 07:28 PM
Aw, that's so nice! Hee--reminds me of a dog we adopted a few years ago who came from an abusive home, and the poor dog had lots of medical problems on top of it. It took him a long time to warm up to us, and then whenever he showed signs of being a "normal" dog (jumping up, begging for food), we'd laugh and cheer--much to the consternation of our other dog, who clearly didn't understand why Teddy was being praised for things she'd get in trouble for!
Posted by: Amy | May 06, 2008 at 05:26 PM