My daughter is animal obsessed so we are regular visitors to AWL to visit the dogs and spend some time with the cats. The day before school started this year I asked my daughter what she wanted to do on her last day of holidays. Her response – go to AWL to visit!
So, with no intentions of adopting, we went up to do a regular visit. We always visit the dogs first then guinea pigs and then cats. When we visited the first row of dogs I was stopped by a little chihuahua standing back from the fence and looking a little lost. I read she was just over 10 years old and my heart broke.
We kept wandering but I couldn’t get this little dog, Xena, off my mind. We went home and discussed Xena as a family. So, after school the next day we drove back to AWL to see if she was still there. I’d seen her on the facebook page that day so was sure someone would snap her up.
We walked into her area and there she was still standing back. We took her to the meet and greet section but we were told by the staff that she would probably be better in a house with another dog. We explained she could come to work with us every day so would not be alone much and the rest is history.
This little girl has now taken complete control of our lives. She walks to and from school everyday, comes to work with us each day, follows us everywhere and sleeps on her own bed on my daughter’s bed.
When we first got her I was worried about wearing her out walking the 6 blocks to and from school twice a day (24 blocks in total). We were soon to learn this 10 year old loved nothing better than chasing a squeaky ball and she can go for hours (amazes everyone who sees her).
Anyone who is hesitant of adopting an older dog don’t be. She is so full of energy and love it is amazing. Yes our lives are now controlled by this dog but she is so loving and tolerant and funny that we don’t mind at all 🙂 (The only one still not happy is our cat!)
Helen
