Hello, my name is SUNSET but my foster mom calls me SUNNY. She says I am bright and shining like the rising sun. All I know is that I like having a name, not just a number! You see, I was living in what they call a “Puppy Mill”, and over time I forgot what it was like to be well-fed, loved and petted. Some of those old memories are coming back now that I have a real home again, even if it is just a foster home.
I was so scared when I was taken out of the pen, but figured things couldn't get too much worse. I was so glad when the chain I wore around my neck with an auction number tag on it was replaced by a pretty red collar - I knew all along that I was somebody special, but for the first time, someone else was seeing it, too!
I was bathed, the mats were cut out and my teeth were cleaned. I feel so much better now, and people can stand to be around me since I don't smell so bad. My nose is starting to heal, too. It was during the dental that they learned what I had been eating in order to survive (yuck). My apologies to the staff at Sugar Creek!!
I am now living in a house with people that pet me, feed me, and I have a big yard in which I am learning to run and play. I can’t run very fast yet, and my legs get so tired, but I sure am trying! Each day I feel a little bit stronger. I just know I am really going to like being someone’s special boy and that someone really terrific will apply to adopt me, because I am such a SUNNY boy!
SUNNY’s Foster Mom adds:
SUNNY is a true delight (really bad pun). He loves to run in the yard and stretch his legs. He is also very fond of meal times! He is about 15 pounds underweight; however, we are doing all we can to remedy that problem, but at a slow pace, as slow weight is good weight! He is as good as gold in the house and always takes himself outside through the doggy door for his potty breaks. I wouldn’t say he is “housetrained”, but he does go 'outside' just like he did in his pen. When you live in a bathroom, you relieve yourself at the farthest point from where you eat and sleep!
He sleeps loose in our room at night with the other dogs, and is content to lie on the floor. Although he has a nice soft dog bed he could sleep on, he chooses the carpet. I guess it is just too much “luxury” for him to absorb all at once. In the evenings, he lays by himself halfway down the hall. He is happy to see us, and will interact with us if we initiate it, but he does not approach us on his own. Hopefully, with time and affection, he will learn how to let down his guard and will give and receive love freely. He has so much to offer a family, if only someone with kindness and patience will give him the chance and to learn and love.
Update 4/20/07:
SUNNY is changing everyday! Tonight he greeted us at the door and is wagging his tail like fury! He has just opened up! He is playing, coming over for petting and is quite the little guy. He is now saying, “Here I am!!!!! I have a real name now and I am learning it very fast. I am loved!” What a wonderful spirit this boy has, to have lived in such conditions, and yet he still is willing to give us humans another chance. Fostered by Becky in KS.
