Rizzo

Hello to Rizzo's friends at the animal shelter.

Today was Rizzo's birthday. (7 year adoption anniversary.) 7 years ago, he was picked up as a stray by another shelter. It was a kill shelter and, fortunately, your facility was able to take him from there. He was adopted and returned at least once. It may have been twice. He was in shelters for 2 months. Nobody wanted him. 

I still remember walking past him in the shelter. He came up to the bars and wagged his tail, so I stopped to say hello. He wasn't the dog we were there to look at. But your volunteer saw us pause and asked if we wanted to play with him. He was looking at me and wagging his tail, so how could I say no? I remember sitting in your play area as she explained that he liked stuffed toys. Rizzo brought me one of his toys, sat on my lap, and licked my face and I knew I needed him. I didn't know how much rejection he had faced and just how badly he needed a safe, loving home that would keep him and love him forever. He has so many stuffed toys now. All for him.

Today, he got "birthday" presents from a family that he is an essential part of. We moved out of Orange County last year and now he has a yard for the first time. As you can see, he loves sprawling out in the sunshine. He also likes chasing lizards, bugs, and squirrels out there in the yard. (Don't worry about the lizards and squirrels--he is an awful hunter. We just let him pretend he is a fearsome terrier. He is always very proud of himself.) At 11 and 1/2 years old, he continues to be in perfect health. I don't know if he remembers that nobody wanted him, but I do think he knows he is wanted now and will never be alone again.

I hope his happy face reminds you of the good work you do every day. You help animals like Rizzo and the people who need them.