Woody came to me at the ripe old age of 10. His owner was being deployed to Iraq and had taken Woody to a local "High Kill" shelter, because there was no one else to care for him. His owner was heart broken. He shouldered not only the responsibility of going off to war, but also knowing that his long time furry companion was most likely going to be put to sleep because no one wanted him due to his advanced age.
However, as luck would have it, I belong to a German Shepherd Rescue, and one of my fellow rescuers was at the shelter the day Woody was brought in. She heard his story, and saw the man saying his emotional farewell to his dog. Quickly, she sent an e mail out to the group pleading for someone to take Woody. She said, " This old boy needs an angel."
I had already had three dogs in my possession, but looking at the picture sent, and hearing his story broke my heart, so I took him. Now here we are three years and two brushes with near death later. One at the shelter that day, and last year with bloat. But Woody had made it!!
Regrettably, Woody is now plagued with Degenerative Mylepothy (where the back end dies), but we are making the best of it with medicines, supplements, a rear end sling, and a doggie wheelchair. And true to Woody's nature, he is a survivor and making the best of what is handed to him. He is my hero.
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