Meet my dog, Fawn, a 16-year old, Husky/Collie/Lab mix. As you can see, her pedigree is diverse and multicultural, which makes her all the more special.

You're probably marveling at her age. Yes, she is 16 and still hanging in there. And a sweeter, gentler dog I've yet to meet.

Fawn was the replacement for my four-year old Lab mix Roxanne, who succumbed to bone cancer far too early in life. My husband and I fretted that Teddy, our Labrador retriever, would miss his companion. So, at the urging of a friend, we traveled to a shelter to interview Roxie's potential substitute.

The shelter, recently renovated, was spacious and clean with antiseptic concrete floors. Each dog kennel had individual outdoor runs, which were accessible through swinging "doggie" doors.

The Animal Control Officer brought us to Fawn, dubbed so by the shelter staff because of her color. I loved her name immediately. Un-spayed, the dog officer estimated her age to be a year to a year and a half.

For such a youthful dog, Fawn was a kind but timid soul. She feared the swinging door in her kennel, venturing outside only when shelter staff held it open for her.

We learned about Fawn's arrival at the shelter. Early one morning, as he drove down the driveway, the dog officer spotted her forlorn silhouette tied to the shelter's chain link fence. At least her former owners had the decency to drop her off there. So many unwanted dogs just get turned loose anywhere, immediately left to fend for themselves.

So Fawn took up residence and was soon showcased as "Adoptee of the Week" in the local newspaper. That's how my friend found her and, knowing I was looking for another dog, showed me the clipping and photo.

Outside, on her leash, Fawn instantly became animated. The shelter volunteer warned me, "be careful, because she loves to run."

I looked at her face; she had the darkest brown eyes I had ever seen, with contrasting almost-white eyelashes. Her tongue lolled out of her mouth, and the thick ruff of fur around her neck was a pale butter cream. My heart melted and tears momentarily welled in my eyes as I thought of my Roxie.

"My beautiful Fawn," I murmured, "how did I fall in love with you so fast?" "I'll never hurt or abandon you; you'll be happy for the rest of your life."

I've held true to my word.

Article Source: www.terrificpets.com
About the Author:

Author: Suzanne Quigley
Website: www.swqcopywriting.blogspot.com
Description: Suzanne Quigley is a freelance copywriter specializing in print and Web copy for pet and equine catalogs. Visit her blog to learn more or to post a comment.