At the Niagara SPCA, this week developed into a full blown love story for two senior dogs and a man who has the biggest heart for older pups who have a much more difficult time finding loving homes.
Two dogs – one named Vino, is seven years old and had been with the rescue organization while completing his heartworm treatment. He loves being close and leans right into the human near him for affection. He’s a bigger guy, weighing in at 58 pounds and is friendly enough to share a home with another dog.
And the other pup, named Mimi is a 12+ pittie blend that has endured more than any dog ever should. Still, she greets the world with grace and trust. She arrived last year as part of a cruelty case where she had been living in a hot attic. Her body temperature had been 104 degrees Fahrenheit, and she had been severely emaciated.
The SPCA was ultimately awarded custody, and despite everything she’d been through, Mimi has proven herself to be sweet, steady and deeply appreciative of comfort, kindness and a soft place to rest.
With an adopter’s interest in both dogs, there had to be a meet and greet between Vino and Mimi. The two had become instant friends:
… Vino made his feelings very clear. While Mimi politely took everything in, Vino appointed himself her personal groomer and got right to work cleaning her ears. No hesitation. No shame. Just pure devotion. Mimi allowed it, of course. That was pretty much the moment we all looked at each other and said, ‘Well… I guess this is happening.’
So now let’s fast forward and meet their new dad, Rich. This man has a huge heart for senior dogs and has adopted from Niagara SPCA in the past. Mimi, the senior sweetie fit right into his wheelhouse, while Vino, although quite a bit younger, was definitely ready to find a home too.
The love story continues. Yes, the dogs had found one another at the shelter, but there’s more! On the way to the shelter to meet the dogs, Rich had been in a fender bender because of the snow and icy driving conditions. (Nothing was going to keep Rich from meeting these two.) The airbags of his vehicle deployed and when police responded, they told Rich he should no longer drive his vehicle.
Most people would have rescheduled.
Rich cut out the airbag and said, “I have dogs to meet.”
He still made it to the shelter. The shelter helped to arrange a tow and made sure he got home safely; then the organization’s staff delivered Vino and Mimi to him, because there was no way this love story was getting delayed.
Some adoptions are meant to be. This one came with a meet-cute, a plot twist, and the happiest ending.
(Questions about Chi – he’s “spicy with people so muzzled.” )
Many thanks to everyone involved in this perfect love story.
Follow the National Pet Rescue on Facebook for the latest animal related news.
