‘Patience, time and love were all they needed’ July 19, 2025
“Our story began 50 years ago when I adopted Barney, a Newfoundland mix, from the Nebraska Humane Society. Then came Odie, a Rottweiler; Kreig, a lab mix and Thunder, lab/mastiff mix.
Both Kreig and Thunder had been returned twice to NHS. There was nothing wrong with either of them. Patience, time and love were all they needed.
We then adopted Puddin, an American Staffordshire Terrier, who had waited almost nine months for a home. The only way to describe her past was a hell no dog should ever know. She was the only dog that took months before she would explore the whole house. After that, Puddin knew this was her home, and we were a family. We were blessed to share her life for nine years. Her loss was the hardest. We knew what she lived through, and we were determined she would be loved deeply and know she was safe. We knew she loved us too!
Our next was Kash, an 11-year-old boxer mix. He was the sweetest boy and loved everyone. Our time together was so short; a few days shy of five months. A few days before Christmas, he woke up vomiting and lethargic. An ultrasound showed a large mass in his abdomen, and fluid around his heart and in his abdomen. There was nothing we could do except let him go, surrounded by us holding him and letting him know we loved him.
We met our current boy, Pac, through the Barks & Rec program (highly recommend). Pac, who is five, spent four Friday afternoons with us. We went to Lake Cunningham, Mulhalls and our home. When we picked Pac up for our third date, he recognized us and ran to greet us with kisses. On Date 4, it was so hard to return him, and we felt Pac was sad too. I completed our adoption application that evening.
He has adjusted very well. He loves relaxing in a recliner, treats, toys and going for walks. Cuddling is also a favorite of his. Pac loves being with one or both of us all the time. Good thing I am retired! As I write this story, Pac is snoring in his recliner so comfortable knowing we are his family and he is definitely ours furever!
-Patricia
(132/150)