A shelter dog's story

To the Editor:

My first experience of adopting a shelter dog was in 2006. We went to inquire about a 30-pound terrier mix that had been at the Allen Hill Shelter. I felt like a young girl about to explode with excitement in anticipation of adopting!

Behind the cage door we saw a silly looking dog. Her salt and pepper wiry hair was so unkempt, and her shape was that of a small wart hog! Once out of the cage she ran up and down the aisle, barking at all the dogs, tail wagging. She too was excited to greet everyone!

We were told she had a slight limp but she had little trouble showing off for us. We adopted this playful, spirited dog and she adjusted quickly with our other dogs at home.

The next day she was examined by a veterinarian and the x-rays revealed a badly broken rear leg and smashed femur head. Most likely she was hit by a car. This poor dog suffered in silence for a long time, hiding her injury so she would be adopted.

We chose not to have the leg amputated since there was a chance of saving the leg. Removal of the smashed femoral head and a plate with screws to fuse the broken bones was costly but needed. After many weeks of rest and therapy her leg healed.

Her personality earned the name Nutsy. She is about nine years old now and still greets us with a dance performance! Nutsy spins around and bucks like a bull in a rodeo! When we laugh she does it all the more. At one point we joked she was related to the Turner Beast, but a trip to Pampered Pups proved us wrong. A day at the "spa" with the groomers helps her to have fewer bad hair days. Everyone who meets her likes to guess what kind of dog she is. Nutsy is a good sport and doesn't mind the comments because she is a happy dog.

We hope Nutsy's story has inspired readers to send in their own stories of shelter dogs or visit RPC and get your new best friend. We are so thankful Responsible Pet Care now takes in stray dogs, along with the hundreds of cats they rescue every year. The staff works hard caring for so many animals in very crowded conditions.

RPC does a huge service for our community and our homeless dogs and cats. Please help them in purchasing the much needed bigger building. The animals are counting on us. Please send your donation, marked Building Fund, to: RPC, P.O. Box 82, Norway, ME 04268.

Phillip and Dianne Waterhouse

West Paris