Your Pet's Rescue Story
Not long after moving, our 2nd rescue pet Ubu died suddenly and my wife was particularly heartbroken with his passing. Shortly after that the pain starting to subside, my wife was diagnosed with breast cancer. It was a very turbulent time.
1 year after losing Ubu, my wife continuously going through chemo, surgeries and radiation we, my son included, decided it was time to rescue again. For months, looking daily, we could not agree on anyone. I saw a pic of "Chunk" (we renamed him Reagan), at Pet Alliance of Orlando. I left work and went to look for him. Once there, I sent a photo to my wife, (she was in her chemo treatment chair at that time), and to my son. We all liked him. I didn't bring him home that day, as we wanted to discuss his future in a home with 4 cats. Reagan looked a little rough as he had been an outside dog, he was thin, missing teeth and didn't have much hair but, all we could see were his kind eyes and they won us over. We all agreed, despite his shortcomings, he was the one.
I returned the following day hoping he was still there and found his pen empty. I felt as empty as his pen. When a pet member came by I asked about him. He said he is in the 'park' down from his pen. As I sat on a bench to observe, Reagan came over, put 2 paws on the bench next to me, as if to say, "I remember you, you may pet me." I immediately told his 2 handlers, I want to take him home today.
He helped my wife tremendously on those days when she felt terrible. He knew something was not right and would stay by her side 24/7 because. Lori has finished her treatments now, 'rang the bell' and is recovering.
'Waygun' quickly became very playful and grateful beyond belief. He has gained about 25 lbs, all of his hair is back and is a beautiful Aussie. He had never been given a toy so he didn't know how to react at first, but now, when we get home, he must check every bag for toy or treat. He has a basket full.
Almost one year after adopting, Reagan sustained a freak back injury and lost the use of his hind legs. The diagnosis was spinal cord injury. Fairly common, they say. Some return to normal, but others don't and require expensive surgery or a wheel chair. What we all knew was, after the healing he provided during our turmoil, we could not give up on him, during his. Since that day, he has been through 6 sessions of acupuncture and a ton of meds. He is still not 100% but, he is up and walking and well on his way to a complete recovery. This one Rescue(r) will no doubt continue to be 'spoiled' like no other.