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Petfinder works wonders

Contributed by: Donna Hoffman on 1/4/2008

This photo popped up in my emails one morning. She was 7 months old and found running around in traffic in Pueblo. My search for a new dog was over.

Now driving down to Pueblo on a snowy December morning was not my idea of a good time, but having this little dog in my arms was. That morning I found out that they were transferring her up to Pike's Peak Humane Society which coming from Lakewood, was a lot closer for me. Although she had three "holds" on her, those were expiring and she would be available for adoption at Noon. I flew out of my house and started down I-25. Halfway there, traffic came to an abrupt halt. There was a horrible accident with many cars and loss of life. Everyone sat on I-25 for over two hours while authorities handled the grisly task.

Exhausted and depressed, I arrived at the Humane Society to find out that someone else had put a 24 hour "hold" on her. It was going to be a long day. I was not leaving there without her.

After three hours and to my complete delight, I learned that there was a mistake in the computer and that she was indeed available for adoption. I sat in the puppy viewing room for what seemed like hours while they looked for her. She was wagging her tail at the thought of getting out of there, and so was I. My eyes filled with tears at the realization that I had finally found a dog that could replace the one that I put down after 14 years of bliss together. I reached out for her and she was smaller than her picture, only 6 pounds. She was trembling and dug into my shoulder as I held her close. We were together.

When I said yes, yes, I'll take her; the attendant took her from my arms and told me to return to the front desk to fill out the paperwork. The terror in her eyes told me that I needed to handle this quickly and take that little dog home.

The day had passed and darkness was upon us when I finally wrapped up all the details. Driving home with her curled up in my lap I realized I didn't have any dog food, dog toys or anything to take care of her. We would have to make a stop at the local pet store.

Peeling her limp body off my lap I came to the conclusion that she was completely worn out and probably hadn't slept in days. Inside the house, I placed her carefully on the couch and started a fire in the fireplace. She slept in my arms for hours and I loved every minute of it.

I named her Sophie and that was two years ago. Not only was she housebroken, but she knew all of her commands as well. I called her my little circus dog because she could walk on her front legs through the snow, pretty talented for six pounds. She never got any bigger and my vet thinks that she is a mix of Maltese and Jack Russell. To me she's everything.

Donna Hoffman, Freelance Contributor

To find a pet, go to www.petfinder.com










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Showing 1-5 of 5 comments
Submitted By: Justinian Hatfield
posted on 1/9/2008 @ 8:44:00 AM
Rated Story
We too used Petfinder.com to find our dog Eddie. Although he was in a Rescue in Greeley. I wasn't too hot to the idea of driving to Greeley to look at a dog and then driving back a few days later to pick him up, but boy am I glad we did!
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Submitted By: Michael Kennedy
posted on 1/8/2008 @ 2:13:48 PM
Rated Story
Very touching. I felt like I shared every moment of the anxiety and the joy. What a wonderful gift to Sophie and to Donna. Hopefully, this will encourage someone else to give a lonely doggie a new home.
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Submitted By: Susan Anderson
posted on 1/8/2008 @ 2:03:22 PM
Rated Story
Very, very touching! Extremely well written. Capture's the reader's imagination immediately and keeps her there.
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Submitted By: Katherine Jerome
posted on 1/4/2008 @ 6:43:53 PM
Rated Story
Sounds like Sophie hit the jackpot!
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Submitted By: Erin Feese
posted on 1/4/2008 @ 5:12:21 PM
Rated Story
Awwww ... thanks Donna, for this heartwarming story! It was a nice end to my day.
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Showing 1-5 of 5 comments
CONTRIBUTOR INFORMATION

Donna Hoffman

Lakewood , CO

Donna Hoffman has posted 9 stories and 1 comment since joining on 1/3/2008. Donna Hoffman 's average story rating is 4.71.
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