ASPCA SUCCESS STORY OF THE WEEK: MANY HAPPY RETURNS When Linda Visnaws 16-year-old rat terrier, Max, passed away, she told her husband that another dog would come into her life when the time was rightand that, in some way, Max would return to her. Linda sorely missed Maxthe characteristic tan markings on his face and heart-shaped black spot on his back.
A short time later, Linda found herself at a shelter in Saginaw, MI, staring at a tiny little Chihuahua in a great big cage. She looked so sad and lost, Linda recalls. I took her into the play area where she showered me with kisses!
The dog, whom shelter staffers had named Tina, was a skinny 3 1/2 pounds, with a thin coat, dry skin and missing teeth. I originally wanted a puppy, Linda says, but this little girl won my heart over.
Tina proved a perfect fit. The very night she came home, she claimed the cat's bed as her own. And though she was a little shy at first, her unique personality soon emerged. She listens intently when you talk to her, and does the cutest little head ****, Linda tells us. She gets along with our two cats, and has my husband wrapped around her little paw!
And true to Lindas prediction, her new companion has brought a little bit of Max home to her. My vet, family and friends cannot get over how much she looks like Max, Linda exclaims. She is white with black spotsand even has tan markings on her face and a heart-shaped black spot on her back!
My emptiness over losing Max went away the night I brought Tina home, Linda says. I think that some things are just meant to be.
I get emails from the ASPCA all the time with stories like this one, but I had to share this one because it was a chi. It really put a smile on my face yesterday.
