I took this photo of Wilbur on Christmas Eve. We looked at him that night, dozing on his pile of fleece blankets on the living room floor, and marveled at how his life had changed since this time last year. It was a few days after Christmas 2011 -- in the middle of the week between Christmas and New Year's -- when someone reported this little stray dog out on a street.
Of course, we don't know the history, other than no one came forward to claim him at the shelter in east Texas. Who would turn a dog like this out, or not bother to look for him if he were truly lost, is hard to fathom.
Here's what he looked like in the shelter cage that week:
It was that photo that made us say "yes" when we were asked if we could take him. Those bulging, gray eyes were enough.
A year later, Wilbur is cherished and adored and has everything he needs to enjoy life. Like Widget, he is one of those dogs who make us smile and laugh every day. We feel truly blessed to have him in our lives. So over this Christmas it occurred to me that Wilbur was, in a way, a special Christmas present to us, and his new life was the Christmas present we were able to give him.
But it was all of our donors whose gifts really make this sort of happy ending possible, so Wilbur says, "Thank you and Happy New Year!"
New Shelter Challenge Contest -- Please Vote for the Farm!
The latest Shelter Challenge starts Monday, January 7 and ends on April 28. Grand prize in this round is $10,000, $3,000 for second place and $1,000 for third place, plus $1,000 for weekly winners and $1,000 for state winners. There are also other categories ... please see the Shelter Challenge website for details.
*** You will find us listed as Rolling Dog Farm. The state is NH for New Hampshire. ***
Please remember, you can vote every day ... consider bookmarking the voting page to make it easy.
We just won $1,000 as a weekly winner in the last contest, and thousands more in the previous contests. The Shelter Challenge really does bring in a lot of money for the animals here!
You can vote in the Shelter Challenge here.
Thank you for your votes!
I have been reading you blog for several years now & my heart soars every time I read it. The love & devotion you show these wonderful, sweet babies is beyond any words I can express. Thank you for what you do & here's to many more success stories like Wilbur. Happy New Year!
Posted by: Colleen & Andre | January 09, 2013 at 07:36 PM
What a difference indeed! I'm sure Wilbur can't even remember the bad old days. Happy New Year to everyone at Rolling Dog Ranch!
Posted by: Tonya Allen | January 09, 2013 at 04:15 PM
What a wonderful post to start the new year. Looking at how at peace Wilbur is in the top picture brings a smile to your face.
Posted by: Betsy | January 08, 2013 at 03:34 PM
"While visions of sugar plums danced in his head...." What a difference a year makes for the wee one and so many others that now call RDF home. Happy New Year!
Posted by: Kathleen Rivard | January 08, 2013 at 11:57 AM
Great post, Wilbur is soooo lucky to have found you. Glad you guys are making such a happy family!
Posted by: Adrian Meli | January 07, 2013 at 08:55 PM
Wilbur is like a little Christmas angel!
Posted by: Penny | January 07, 2013 at 05:40 PM
What a wonderful story to start out the New Year. Wishing RDF many blessings in this new year.
Thank you Steve and Alayne for your wonderful work and the love, caring and attention you give these animals.
Posted by: Chloe | January 07, 2013 at 03:49 PM
Great new year inspiration. Now to vote!!
Posted by: Linda Murphy | January 07, 2013 at 12:40 PM
I so love the Wilbster!
Posted by: Mary H./Washington state | January 07, 2013 at 11:31 AM
Happy New Year to RDF! What a GREAT way to start the new year to see how Wibur has gone from rags to riches. He warms my heart as does ALL the work you do at RDF to save these special, special creatures! Love to you Wilbur!
Posted by: Shirley * James/Portland, OR | January 07, 2013 at 10:43 AM
What a wonderful post. I can't help but say again how those little dogs like Wilbur find a special place in your heart. Not sure if it's the face or their size, but there's just something extra special about them. Happy New Year to Wilbur and everyone at Rolling Dog Farm.
Posted by: Barb Ribinski | January 07, 2013 at 09:47 AM
Thank you!
What you do every day is a Christmas gift for all these wonderful dogs and horses.
Also for all of us animal lovers.
Posted by: Glenda Nelson | January 07, 2013 at 06:31 AM
What a fabulous, heartwarming first post of the year, dear Alayne & Steve (and Wilbur, of course!)!:-)
It gives me boundless joy to look at Wilbur's top picture, in which he looks so relaxed and content, in such a sharp contrast with the one taken at the shelter in Texas.
A HUGE hug to you all from Italy, Carla
Posted by: Carla Polastro-Nigro | January 07, 2013 at 04:16 AM
Wilbur is a special little guy. It wouldn't have mattered what time of year he ended up at RDF to live the good life, but it's very apropos that he came during the holidays...a great gift for both you and him!
Hope you all had a wonderful holiday and a happy new year!
Posted by: Ann | January 07, 2013 at 01:36 AM
It really is a happy new year for wee Wilbur,and - - I hope - - for one and all at RDF. Have a new year chockful of blessings and happiness, everyone!
Posted by: Moon Rani | January 06, 2013 at 09:42 PM