In Spring 2005 I had lost my first dog, and wasn’t sure how long it would take me to be able to consider having another. I had rescued an older Australian Cattle dog, and thought I would have her 5-6 years or so, but apparently that was not God’s plan, and he called her to the big ‘doggie park’ in the sky in May; less than 3 years in my life. I was so sad and there was such a hole in my heart that I didn’t know if I could go through it again. But at the same time, I couldn’t imagine not having a pooch pal in my life and in my home. It seemed so quiet, and I missed the routine and the unconditional love.
In early June I decided to get online to just start looking at the various sites that link animal rescue organizations. A friend referred me to 1800saveapet.com. I looked every night for a few weeks, and I corresponded with a few people about a few dogs, but really my heart wasn’t singing. Then one night I saw my girl looking out at me from the screen, and I knew she was the one – I knew my heart was ready again.
Having gone through the painful task before of getting set on one dog, only to find out it had already been rescued (actually a good thing!) I was fearing the worst, and hoping for the best. I tried all weekend to reach United Hope for Animals, and was frantic not hearing from anyone, but Monday morning came good news that she was still available, and I was invited up that evening to meet her. As I knew I would, I went home cradling her in my arms that evening.
I named her Shiloh, and she has become the light of my life. She had just had puppies before she was rescued, but no one knows what happened to them. She was spayed the day I met her. Needless to say, her little system was quite messed up for several weeks and she was very quiet and mellow. But now she is very playful and loving friend who is either younger than we suspected, or she is now experiencing the puppyhood she never got to enjoy while on the street!
I believe she is an angel sent to me by my first pooch pal, Rosy. She loves to play fetch with anything for hours on end, chase bunnies and birds, cuddle and have her belly rubbed. Everyone I meet on the street says she looks like such a happy dog, which couldn’t make me happier! Thank you United Hope for doing what you do and making such wonderful opportunities available to the dogs and to us humans!”
Shiloh has gone from searching for food, water and shelter on the streets of Los Angeles to the safely and love of Hillary and her beautiful home. Here is Shiloh asleep on Hillary’s glass coffee table; yes she is in the lap on love and luxury now!
—Written by Shiloh’s “Mom” Hillary