A year ago, on the day after Thanksgiving, I made the 14 hr. drive from Long Island to Dowagiac, Michigan, the home of a wonderful foster mom, Jackie, to pick up a little Maltese girl, named "Hollie". I had decided to drive, because I wanted to be sure that my Yorkie, "Gizmo" would approve of the new addition.
We encountered some snow on the way, but much MUCH more on the drive back. I had made reservations at a dog-friendly motel in Ohio, because I knew I would need to break up the long trip. I had no idea how grueling the drive home would be. It was about midnight when we arrived. After depositing the dogs in the room, I went back out to the car, which was parked right in front of the door to the room, to retrieve some dog food etc. Next thing I knew, there was Hollie, who had managed to open the room door (which I had closed, but not completely, behind me) and wander out into the parking lot. She was frightened, and my startled response to her appearance did not help.
She took off like a rabbit. Across the parking lots, across the highway, back across the parking lot of another hotel, back across the highway, with me in hot pursuit. We were lucky that it was late and there was little traffic. I am not a young man, and this was more running than I had done in at least twenty years. I didn't know how long I could keep it up. Fortunately, she ran into some taller grass, which slowed her up enough so that I could catch her. By now she was really terrified. I brought her back to the room where she got herself into a corner of the room, behind a chair and growled and snapped when I tried to approach. I finally managed to pick her up and calm her. She spent the night on the bed with me, but as far away as she could get.
That was the worrisome beginning of what has turned out to be a wonderful life with my little princess, "Hollie." It has been a year since I first met Hollie; and it has been a great year. She is all that I could hope for and has filled my days (& nights) with joy and laughter. It has been a wonderful experience to watch her bloom into the happy and joyful little dog that she so deserves to be. And for this, I am truely thankful. I wish you all something to be thankful for.
Patrick
Northcentral Maltese Rescue, Inc.
Saving Maltese Nationwide
And They Lived
Happily Ever After
Page 11
Do you have a Maltese that you rescued from Northcentral Maltese Rescue, Inc.? Send us a paragraph
about your Malt and your family with a current picture to add to our Happily Ever After pages.
