On her way to being shot

by Marchell
(Mt Shasta, CA)

You must be able to stretch a bit into heavens' grace for this story for what I am going to relate is 100% true.

Early Sept. 2001, my beloved black standard poodle, Sanga, and I headed across the bridge from Astoria, Oregon into Washington state. We were van camping for a month and were 1 week into a month long trip. The fog suddenly became very dense and I didn't know where I was on the road; couldn't read any road signs. I got a clear inner message to get off the highway, re-orient myself and ask for directions. The next exit was just around the bend, I got off cautiously and headed east. A few blocks down there was an advertisement on a telephone pole for a dog groomer. I felt like that was my sign so followed the arrows. She was grooming out of her transformed garage on a side street.

I knocked on the door and slid it open a bit, let her know that I was lost and needed directions. She was gracious. Behind me the door slid opened and a woman stepped up next to me. I heard her snapping gum, smelled stale cigarette smoke before I turned. When I did, I saw a big, grey standard poodle girl with her head almost touching the ground. The room filled with such sadness that tears came to my eyes. I will always remember the words, "Anyone want this dog? or my husband is going to shoot her." Eye to eye with her, I asked, "Is your husband in your car?" I suddenly had a few things that I wanted to passionately say to this person. "No" she replied.

I reached out and took the dog's chain out of her hand. "I'll take her." (Was I nuts?? I was living in my van with my own 75 lb doesn't-take-ANY-nonsense dog.) Asked for the dog's story. She lived with an old woman and spent 90% inside. The woman died. No one wanted this not-very-pretty-or-showy poodle girl and her husband just wanted to get rid of her. Her name was Mandy. I turned to look at my van. Sanga was sitting in the drivers seat. I knew that it was going to be alright.
Mandy knew nothing about being a dog. She watched Sanga at every moment and learned. He taught her, looked after her and took her on adventures. The rest of the month together in the van was perfectly peaceful. Not one growl or crinkled lip.

At home, at Christmas time, Sanga came and got me. He lead me to Mandy who was ill. She died in the night.
The vet did her best. Those 4 months on my ranch with the big black dog, were the happiest of Mandy's life. She turned into an awesome guard dog and was the sweetest girl in the world. She loved to wear t-shirts and adored new 'outfits'.

Please adopt. Today my current dog turns 13 years old; he was rescued at age 6 fr a vet's office. He is a special needs dog and is a miniature poodle. Please adopt. Please.