Westie Rescue Story - Ruff Ruff Rose, and Sweet Molly -Two Westies, Two Tales...

By Sharon Stajda,

When we brought that little bundle of white fluff home, we just new she looked like a Rosey... All cute, and sweet. We certainly had ourselves a bit of a lap dog? It did not take long to see we had no lap dog, we had brought home a "second hand Rose"... A dog that had so much spirit, and get up and go. Oh lord -- she runs with the big dogs!

Let's Talk Rose...
I did a great deal of research before deciding to add Rose to our family. I wanted a dog that would be true to being a dog. In other words, I was not looking for a lap dog... Yet I wanted a cute dog, that was not large, but loved the outdoors, and had lots stamina for long walks. Not asking for much - was I?

Well I decided to buy a "West Highland White terrier', otherwise known as a" Westie". We purchased Rose as a young puppy. She was so smart ! Very easy to house train, and we could see right off, we had made the right decision bringing Rose into our family.

Rose turned out to be a great little light-hearted dog. So quick to learn, she had a wonderful, unique personality - all her own. Most Westie owners will tell you, "my dog may be small, but has a very big personality." Westies are lovable, but will never be mistaken for a lap dog.

Rose is notoriously independent, and won't tolerate being held for very long periods. Yet she is always there with a little kiss, when it's most needed. She like to be in close proximity with the family, and has made a great little watch dog.

She is such a part of the family, when ever possible she is taken along when we visit friends or travel. She has always been very adaptable to any new surroundings. Plus, she is so friendly and love when it comes to meeting new people,especially children.

As I mentioned, I needed a dog that loved to take long walks. I love to hike, and I needed a dog that would be able to keep up on long walks. Rose love to walk long distances , and also took a real liking to wooded areas... This little sturdy white dog, could run with the big dogs, there was no dought about it, we had stumbled into " the best dog in the world". Her little face always seems to be smiling at you, her happy spirit always ready for a bit of fun...

One of Rose's favorite things to do is run and play in the snow. She is 13 now, but still doesn't know when to come in out of the snow. She gets her paws caked in snow 4 times there size! Then and only then will she give up the snow...

Rose always seems to be smiling...

Rose's best friends name is Clunky. He was adopted from the Detroit Anti Cruelty Shelter. Clunky was an abuse case. He was found in the basement of an abandon burned out home. He was just a small puppy, yet someone had beaten him badly and left him for dead, he was skin and bones.... He got his name from the shelter staff. You see Clunky was very clumsy, with splayed oversized paws. The splaying was due to the starvation he endured as a pup. Hence he "sort of clunked along"

Clunky was about 7 months old when my friend "Harry" adopted him from the shelter . After loosing his dog some months before, he had been on many adoption outings, and never had the heart to adopt, due to his grief over the loss of his last beloved dog. He spotted Clunky at a pet store on one of the adoption event days. He did not adopt a dog as of yet, but upon returning home, he just could not get that odd dog out of his mind... The adoption outing was held on a Saturday. He called on Monday morning to inquire on the dog? The dog was to be put down within hours of his call...

Well, this story has a great ending... Clunky was adopted by my good friend Harry. Clunky's life started out so badly, but he found himself a home, and a best friend.

You see Harry also needed a best friend, he had lost his wife a short time before bringing Clunky into his home. Clunky helped Harry through one of the most difficult times in his life, as Harry help Clunky in his time of need...

Rose loves "Clunyk" it her best pal, they are truly an odd couple - but make a great team. They love to tramp the woods together, and root around for "game".

Clunky rolls old tree stumps over, while Rose checks out what might be lurking under the them. They are a real team...

I am sure you can see how westies all look very simular.But unfortunatly, all are not created equal. Some end up in unsuitable homes. With owners that perhapes to put it kindly, were not cut out to own a pet. Please take time to read Molly's story.

I set out to build this page on my westie Rose. Let me first say that Rose's life has been a good one. She never new a hungry day or anyone even being cross with her. She is well taken care of, and totally spoiled, not to mention loved.

So. does Rose need a special web page on the Internet? Well maybe, my family and I sure love her, and see how special she is...

But I found a story on Flickr about a sweet westie, by the name of Molly. It so touched my heart, I thought I would share it with my readers. I think after reading Molly's story you will see why?

I hope Molly's story will aid in promoting selter dog adoption...

Molly's Story

"Molly's family of 12 years decided to dump her in a kill shelter in Collierville, TN. She had stereotypical skin issues that Westies can get with poor nutrition, and she had a urinary tract infection. Could that have possibly been the reason they dumped her after so many years of love and faithfulness? Both conditions cleared up very quicky with good food, attention, and love.

According to the surrender papers, Molly spent up to 10 hours a day in the laundry room, and apparently she spent her nights in that same laundry room.

In spite of all that, she was such a loving dog with such beautiful people manners, and a number of fun tricks. Molly was a testimony to the ability of a dog to forgive humans, and continue to find joy in giving love every day".

"We picked up Molly from her foster mom near Birmingham, AL, on 12-28-05. She was our anniversary present, and she rocked our world"!

"Molly taught me how a Westie likes to be treated. She had so many social skills. She had more charisma than an elephant would need. By the way she held her head or paw, she even taught me how to groom her!"

"Molly was raised as an indoor doggie, but she took to the farm like a duck to water. All of her Westie instincts surfaced."

"Molly had such fabulous manners. She had a charisma she could turn on when there were guests. At the vet's office, she was like Marilyn Monroe walking in. She just had "IT"!

I liked the framing of the antique table legs over Molly while she patiently listened to the human conversation in the parlor. She never clamored for attention. Such POISE!"

"Molly was our first Rescue West Highland Terrier (Westie). We discovered Molly was eaten up with cancer not long after we adopted her at the end of 2005, so we lived to the max the ten months she was with us!I think she enjoyed being a country dog in the last months of her precious life..."

Please open your heart and rescuing animal in need. If you are thinking of adding a pet to your family? Please visit your local shelter, you just might find the friend your looking for. Give a shelter animal a second chance. As in Molly's situation...

Sweet Molly was an older dog, that spent her life cooped up in a laundry room, with little chance to be a dog. Thanks to her wonderful adopted parents, she got to at last experience some of the pleasures of being not only a dog, but a cherished pet.

Why not give a gift that will provide love and companionship for years to come? If you have the heart, and the means to care for a pet? Please consider adopting a shelter pet.

By Sharon Stajda,

Have you ever considered adopting a shelter pet? There are millions out there waiting for good homes.

Animals end up in shelters for various reasons. Some are given up due to a families change in housing situations. Others may become incompatible with the family situation, perhaps due to one of the family members becoming allergic to the animal? Some pets are given to shelters due to behavior problems. Sometimes these behavior problems may have resulted due to little or no training of the pet, and the pet is not at fault.

If you have are considering adopting a shelter pet, you need to stop and give some thought to your lifestyle, and readiness to be a responsible pet owner. Are you and your family ready to make a long term commitment to a pet? When bringing a pet into your home, you will be responsible for its total welfare. This includes supplying that pet with food, good healthcare, and a loving safe place for it to live its life out.

Before choosing the right pet for you and your family. You have to take some things into consideration? First think of who the pet will be in daily contact with? A strong, active pet may be too much for a young child? A small dog may be to delicate for a young child? Is there an elderly person in your home? Would a very active dog be to much for an elderly person to cope with? You get the idea...Just consider your family, and their needs, as well as the pets needs -- before picking out that special pet.

Another big consideration, are you ready to be a caretaker for a pet? Don't adopt a pet if you think it may get lost in the daily shuffle... So -- do you have time to spend with a pet, and the energy to make sure the pet is well trained, and cared for?

Last but not least-can you truly afford a pet? Owning a pet is an extra expense on a families budget. Perhaps you have the money to pay for the adoption fees? But do you have the money for the animals yearly check ups, vaccinations and so on...Will you be able to afford unexpected vet bills, if the animal should become ill?

Pets are living creatures, and deserve to be treated with love, and respect. So many pets are discarded to shelters, and so need second chances.

Owning a pet can be very rewarding. Pets become friends very quickly, and form bonds as people do. So if you think you can open your heart, and home to a shelter pet, you may be on your way to becoming someones very best friend?

Did you know lavender is a great flea repellent? Well, it is... I use lavender in many ways on my dog Rose. Check out Rose's Rinse. This rinse contains dried lavender bud, which not only soften, and soothe her skin, but repels bugs... Such as fleas, mosquitoes, ticks, and more.

I also make my own pet flea collars, just add lavender oil to a bandana or woven rope type collar, again it helps with doggie odor, plus repels bugs.

Does your dog sleep in a doggie bed or favorite blanket? Tuck a sachet of lavender under the lining of the bed. To chase away bugs. You can also just add drops of lavender oil to final rinse when washing your pets blanket.

If you purchase from this site, a portion of your cost goes directly to the ASPCA. Let part of the proceeds from your sale of Cesar's book help the ASPCA help animals in need...

Keep your dog safe. Did you know a dog can become badly injured by sudden braking? They cannot only sustain leg injury, but internal injuries, that may not be detected, until its to late to treat... harnesses are inexspensive, and really can prevent your dog from being injured while traveling in a car. Most also can be kept on, and serve as a walking harness.

Dog harnesses have become so popular for their style, ease of use and best of all reduced stress on a dog's neck. If you have a dog that loves to get out and walk, make sure to invest in a harness.

Not only are they safer for the dogs neck, but doges are more easily handled on a harness.

Any and all funds or proceeds, earned on this web page , to include item's purchased on ebay will go to aiding Shelter Animals via the ASPCA.