So let me just say that I feel PRIVILEDGED to be able to help Rescue Gladwyn. It was and will not be me alone to get this boy where he needs to be but here is my part of the story. I was a bit nervous about my first rescue but have found it to be an experience unlike any other.

So this poor boy, was found stray, living with a basset hound roaming around middle Michigan, which is pretty rural. As soon as they brought him out to me at the shelter he was waggin his tail and rubbin against my legs. He jumped right in the back of the car and sat down, he was obviously ready to go. Gladwyn rested, not slept, most of the 2.5 hour drive home. We stopped once and he did his potty and was very good with one stranger that approached. I had a divider gate between the front seat and the rear back and during the second hour he came up close enough so I could reach him and give him some petting, in return he gave me nice kisses.

He was extremely matted and dirty and was infested with fleas. It was my intention to give him a good scissor cut to get the worst of it and then give him a bath. I have never done doggie haircuts before, but he gave me his paw as if to say it's okay, I want you too. He then lay in my lap and started falling asleep while I cut through the mats and the burrs. His hair was so badly matted though at times I could not tell where the skin ended and the fur started. So I called our vet and they were able to get him right in to get shaved. While there, he made a ton of friends, you should have heard all the girls oogling over him ! Although a little shy, he is a very FRIENDLY, well socialized dog. He wanted to meet everyone there including the furry kind!

He quickly learned and was responding to his name Gladwyn, of which he was named by fellow DKrs. He knows sit, down, stay, walk on a leash. And he knows Tricks! Paw & High 5!! Whoever his family was are definitely LOSERS, even if he did just get separated from them somehow, they must be missing him dearly. But more likely, someone abandoned him. Whoever his family will be are WINNERS, he definitely knows how to love and be a good boy.

Rosey & Bandit took to him too. After the initial meeting at the park, helped by our dog sitter, they quickly bonded and were running and wrestling all thru the house. It was a nice evening, watching them all play, he rested too, which he seemed to be really grateful for. God only knows the last time he had been in a secure, quiet place with a soft blanket to lay on.

The next day the kids watched him and he was great for them. After work, I drove him to Ohio to meet his permanent foster, Sue. He again was a gem in the car, I gave him a marrow bone to chew on and from time to time he would sit up and gaze out the windows, probably wondering where he was going next on his journey. Once we got there, I was trying to be strong for him. I didn’t want him to think he was being abandoned. As I was walking him around trying to get him to do some business, he started being really playful on his leash. Then he just sat down and I squatted next to him and he just put both paws on me and gave me a hug. That’s when I cried and could start again now just remembering the feeling of him showing his love. I knew I had to let him begin the next chapter, so we finished things up, and said our goodbye’s. As I headed home I knew that I had been changed forever by this experience.

Being my first rescue, it was a bit overwhelming but Gladwyn helped me through it. I am so excited this wonderful boy has another chance at a wonderful life. Not even 2 years old this boy has seen a lot, met some good folk, and probably some not so good. He’s well on his way now. Thank you all at DK and DRC for the help & support you gave me and Gladwyn this past week. And DoodleKisses to you Gladwyn, I hope I get to see you again my friend.