Your Pet's Rescue Story
I would like to nominate my four-year-old Yorkie Schnauzer mix Sienna for the “My Best Friend” wine label contest.
I have always had pure-bred dogs - the most recent of whom had become elderly and passed within weeks of each other. I was very lonely and missed the energy of dogs in my home. I had rescued cats - just not dogs because I thought I had to have a specific breed to know what their temperament would be. A friend suggested I attend a pet rescue fundraiser where rescue dogs were featured in a fashion show. A little brown bundle of joy came out in a blue raincoat. I was immediately smitten, but we could not find her at the event. I scoured the lobby of the hotel looking for this little brown dog. My friend called the shelter the next morning, and the first dog out was this happy little dog. I was elated to have found her, and adopted her immediately.
I named her Sienna because she is the color of my favorite crayon - burnt sienna. This dog is the happiest creature I have ever seen. Sienna loves to take walks, to greet my neighbors, and has never met a stranger. She is a better politician than I could ever be. She wakes up happy and can’t wait to start her day every day. Once when I was going through her paperwork the shelter gave me, I noticed that they had taken a picture of her in the kennel. She looked scared and sullen, a dog I have never seen, but I knew it was her by her floppy ears. I wondered if I had possibly made her happy as she has made me.
Sienna knows when I am upset and has been with me through thick and thin. During the aftermath of the Pulse massacre, I was having a hard time sleeping and frequently suffered from insomnia. When I could sleep, I was crying in my sleep, something I have never done before. I would wake up to this sweet dog kissing my tears away. People often ask who rescued who when it comes to my dog, Sienna. I know the answer! She rescued me during the darkest time in my life and continues to be the best part of my day.
Sienna likes to help other dogs and cats and has served as the spokesdog for Paws for Peace, and is a pet member of the Mennello Museum of Art. She resides in my Colonialtown bungalow with her sister, the cat Nina Simone, several goldfish, and three urban chickens.

Commissioner Patty Sheehan