Some of you may wonder how I choose the animals to write about or how they choose me. There are a great many that I’ve assisted whose tales are not told. With the rest I simply follow my instincts and I’d like to believe that I’m guided by a higher power.

I’ve recently finished reading a wonderful book called “Oogy” which I highly recommend. I believe this book played a great part in the tale I’m about to tell and it fulfills all three reasons stated above, instinct, animals choosing me and a higher power.

In the middle of last week, while leaving F.H.S. after concluding my morning shift, I spotted Angie talking to a young couple who had a dog in their van. It wasn’t an unusual occurrence for the shelter but I strolled over to see if I could assist.

The dog was from Inman and Angie was gently trying to explain that we cannot accept animals that come from outside our jurisdiction. I peered into the vehicle and was awestruck by what I saw.

Snowy is an Argentinean Dogo, 1½ years of age. This is the rare and magnificent breed I’d just been reading about.

I asked the young couple, “What happened to her leg?”

Her front left leg was slightly shorter and the upper bone had grown into a bow like form.

“We think it was broken when she was younger and it healed that way,” they answered.

“How do you come to have her?” I again asked.

It seems their uncle had passed away and their aunt couldn’t keep her, so they were desperately trying to find her a home.

“Can she walk on it?” I asked.

“Oh, yes, she gets around just fine.”

I sat in the van and took Snowy in my arms and, though she was shaking from confusion, she was loving and attentive. I tearfully kissed her , then turned to the young couple,

“I want you to gather whatever papers you have on her and take her down to Bonnie Brae’s clinic.”

“What do we tell them?” they asked.

“Don’t worry, I’ll contact them before you get there, just tell them to bill her care to Uncle Lennie’s fund. If it’s okay with you, from that point on, she’ll be my responsibility.”

“Thank you,” they responded in unison.

I took Snowy’s face in my hands and gave her a final kiss, then headed toward Bonnie Brae as I figured out how to rearrange my schedule. When I arrived, Angel Mitchell was in surgery but Dr. Ian Fitch spoke with me. He assured me they’d look into it and would call me when she arrived. I asked if they would give her whatever tests and medicines she may need and please x-ray her leg.

“No problem, Lennie. We’ll call when we have results.”

“Thanks, Ian,” I replied “And say hello to Angel.”

Two days later, Wendy, the staff leader, called and said they had the x-rays and prognosis on Snowy for me.

“Thanks, Wendy, I’ll be right over.”

Over the years, not only the vets but their staff also have become valued friends.

When I arrived Angel was with a client so I went in to sit with Snowy as I waited. Snowy was still shaking from all the confusion but was very gentle and accepting as I laid her head on my lap and spoke to her.

“Sweet girl, I know you’re confused, but I promise whatever can be done on your behalf will be done. Another good friend, Randy Grobe has also been contacted on your behalf. You’ll like him.”

For the first time, a glimmer of trust began showing in Snowy’s eyes and I welled up in tears. Angel came in as we were speaking and upon seeing us she also fought back her own tears.

“She’s sweet, isn’t she?” Angel said.

I just nodded as I left her cage to look at x-rays. Angel explained the cause of her deformity and said it’s too late to do anything for her.

“She isn’t in any pain,” Angel went on. “She knows how to put weight on it.”

“Can we do anything for her, Angel?”

“I’m afraid not, Lennie, any further surgery would be intrusive, expensive and most likely would do more harm than good.”

“Will she be all right?” I asked.

“Oh, yes,” Angel replied, finally smiling. “She’ll probably be arthritic later in life but that also can be controlled to keep her pain free.”

I hugged this dear friend of mine and then burst out, “Why are people so dumb?”

Again Angel said, “She’ll be fine, Lennie.”

Realizing I was preaching to the choir, I went in to kiss Snowy once more and left.

Please check out this magnificent girl, as with all my kids, she deserves a better fate than what she’s had thus far. I haven’t any doubt she’ll be a wonderful, loving and loyal companion for years to come. In the meantime, she’ll have to put up with Uncle Lennie and all the super people whose care I’ve placed her in.

Thanks for listening.