Thursday, March 31, 2011

Chance



This week I’m going to tell you the story of my only girl dog, Chance. She’s a yellow Labrador retriever and she’s a big girl -- she weighs about 140 lbs. My vet even commented the last time she was there, ‘Now that’s a big dog’. And he sees lots of dogs. Every inch of her is kindness, and if she has one fault it would be in getting over excited at the prospect of food. She came to us with a flaw though. Her heart was broken, I‘m sure. And I’m not sure if it has healed to this day, sadly. She was five years old and her owner had moved and wouldn’t/couldn’t take her. She can shake hands, is perfectly house trained, can catch a treat if you throw it to her and she lives up to her retriever name -- she greets us each time we come in the door with a ’prize’ of some kind, normally one of Jake’s toys. She was bewildered of sorts when she came to us. As I said, she was five and had always had the same, original owner. All her shot records from birth were sent with her, but no belongings of any kind except for the collar she was wearing. She had obviously been loved and taken care of. Her true story is still a mystery to us. At that time, she had been at a foster home with a rescue organization for a few weeks. They were looking for someone, anyone who would let a dog this size stay indoors. We sized up the dog door and she was ours. She’s been with us now for nearly five years. She’s lived her entire life doing exactly what her owners asked her to do, no complaints whatsoever. She loves her bed, she knows it’s hers and is always glad to end the day there. She drinks massive amounts of water when she gets up in the morning. She’s our ‘big girl', Chance.


Alice

7 comments:

Giupetto and Gianna Tails said...

I don't know whether to be happy or sad for Chance. Certianly happy she is with you now, and has such a loving home. So sad that she had her heart broken and was so confused. That is one big girl. I have never seen a 140 pound golden retriever.
I love the part where she greets you with one of Jake's toys. :-)
Thanks so much for sharing your stories Alice.

Three Wishes Collective said...

What a wonderful story of Chance! I'm so glad she found you to take care of her and love her. I'm sure she's forever grateful and loves you with all her heart.

HappyDapperDogs said...

Oh, I love Chance and I love you Alice for sharing your four-legged family with us! What an inspiring story of a second "Chance". That picture says it all. She looks like she is most definately a comfort to those who love her.

This one brought tears to my eyes!...and my verification word was cryses

Art and Sew Forth said...

What a perfect dog, Alice. So sad about a broken heart. I do wonder if the original owners felt the same and it was just a 'must do' kind of thing. How heart wrenching. But how wonderful that she fell into your hands. Couldn't have been better for her.

Oskar said...

What a true love story. Thanks for telling us all about Chance.

Nubbin wiggles,
Oskar

AngelPups said...

As my kids often say about my pups, Chance definitely won the lottery when she came to live with you, Alice ;-)I am sure her heart was broken, but I can't imagine she hasn't recovered and then some living with you in your wonderful loving home <3

God Bless All!

Pup Fan said...

Aw... I bet Chance's heart is on the mend since she's been with you. :)