H
i! My name is Annie, I think I’m 7 years old, I’m a Yellow Lab! I was adopted on July 13, 2008 from Good Dog Rescue and boy do I have a story to tell you about my life since then!
You see, it was not the easiest transition for me. GDR had me up for adoption and I passed their requirements, so everyone knew I really am a good dog, but I sure tested my new people! Ha! We all can laugh about it now. My mom rolls her eyes when those days are mentioned.
When I arrived at my new house, I was really scared. I didn’t want
ANYTHING to do with my new surroundings; I just wanted to go home to
what was familiar to me. I arrived at my new “home” and I was not even
the only dog living here, can you believe it?! 
Suddenly, I had a little brother, named Marty and he’s only 7 lbs! He
was adopted too, six months earlier. My people tell me he’s a purebred
just like me, a Purebred Terrier Mix.
I didn’t like him very much even though was really nice, he never barked at me or anything. I just did not like him and I made sure to tell him any chance I got! Everyone thought I was going to kill him, even a dog trainer lady that came to the house! I’ll tell you about her in a minute!
I was really terrible when I got here. Every time the door opened, if my new people weren’t careful, I would BOLT through their legs and be gone! I never went far since I didn’t even know what planet I was on! I went far enough where my new people had to get a car and look for me!
My new people decided to hire a personal dog trainer lady, even though they had dogs all their life! They thought she could help with my attitude towards my new brother and running away whenever they turned their heads. I wasn’t very fond of the trainer lady… nope, not one bit.
She told my people to get rid of “that” dog and “that” dog is going to kill Marty and “that” dog is out of control!” Umph? Me? Out of control? Can’t be, since I’m a Good Dog Rescue! She can’t be talking about me?! The trainer lady told my people to call GDR and send me packing. Sadly, they did call GDR to send me back, but when it came time for me to go they just could not do it. Did I tell you I’m cute? They must have seen other good qualities besides my good looks! My people were SURE I could be tamed…After all; it’s ONLY been a few weeks at this point!
Anyway, my new people let that trainer lady come three times then they ended up getting rid of HER! Ha! That made my happy! My people where SURE they could help me relax! So, my mom worked with me every day! You see, when you rescue a pup like me, I may need extra special attention to realize that I’m here to stay for good! That’s all I need, reassurance.
Because I was doing so much better at home, my people had the idea for Obedience Training … in a class….with other dogs! Ok…so I went, reluctantly. Now, let me tell you, there were dogs in this class that barked and barked and barked! Nope, this place was not for me! I made sure to tell them too! Me and my people work better at home together than I did amongst all these other dogs, in this cement room that reminded me of a dog pound! Yikes! Get me out of here! I’m already a nervous wreck and all this cement walls and smells made me more insecure! I thought I found a home, now this?? They might leave me here!!!
Well, that trainer lady felt the same way as me, and she asked my lady person to not come back to class, perhaps personal lessens were an order? My mom person laughed “we already TRIED that” I really AM good dog, honest… I’m just insecure. My new mom person is pretty stubborn too; she was not giving up on me at this point. I just needed to feel secure and loved.
Well, let me tell you! After a bit of work and love, I have the best life EVER! I’m the best dog EVER! I have a great life now. I love my little brother; I have a great home with lots of love.. I even get to go on vacation with my people! They never leave us behind! My mom has this motto “No dog left behind!” We even drive to the Florida for vacation FROM Massachusetts! It’s a long drive, but I’m really good in the car now! We stay at this GREAT dog friendly place in The Keys and I get to swim and run free with all the other dogs that are staying there too!
Honestly, it took a few months for me to feel settled. If anyone out there is adopting one of my peers, please, please, please be patient with them. I might take a little longer than you hoped to settle in, but it WILL be worth it! I promise!
Would my people rescue another one of us sight unseen? YES! Knowing what they have to offer a dog that needs a new beginning…. YES THEY WOULD!
p.s… I even have a pool now! And not only that… but GUESS WHAT… I’m the June Calendar Dog in the new Good Dog Rescue 2010 calendar! Life is good!
