In January 2010, I saw a post on MHWR's Facebook page. The story about Pearl's owner having to surrender her because she was dying of cancer, broke my heart. She was brought to the vet to be euthanized. Luckily the vet decided she was too solid of a dog to just put her down even though she was clearly in her "senior years". I had no idea Pearl was in my area when I clicked on the Facebook post and offered to take her. After going through the paperwork and approval process I was given the opportunity to pick up Pearl from the vet which was only 15 miles from where we live in Missouri. This would have been a storybook beginning, except the vet decided to treat Pearl for heartworms. He gave me instructions on how to care for her, etc. Keep her calm. No excitement or running. Within three days Pearl went into convulsions and lost all control of her faculties. My kids and I were certain she was going to die but we refused to take her back to the vet knowing he would probably go ahead and put her down. We did everything possible to make her comfortable and keep her alive. With help from the MHWR gals who gave me instructions on things we could give Pearl such as Pedialyte and maple syrup rubbed on her gums to keep her blood sugars up??.A MIRACLE OCCURRED!!! She pulled through!!!! I continue to give her potassium, glucosamine and fish oil tablets several times a week. Within a few days I could tell the glucosamine helped her joints feel better. I had adopted a one year old Weim in June 2009 from a friend. Mollie is as wild and crazy as they come. Old Girl Pearl helps keep her in line, along with my five year old Bracco Italiano Pointer, Tucker. Pearl is so calm you have to sometimes check her for a pulse. But she gets excited when I come home from work or from an errand, and shows major enthusiasm when it's breakfast or dinner time. You can throw animal cookies in the air and she catches them just fine. She may be old, but she can still run with the other dogs! We are now a THREE DOG FAMILY.

The moral of our story is this????.never hesitate to adopt an older dog. Just think of the life they might have led before you decided to provide them with a safe, warm and loving home. Pearl looks at me with such gratefulness. WE ARE TWO OLD GIRLS WHO HAVE BONDED FOR LIFE! I am thankful she is there to greet me when I come home?.along with my other two pups that we adore!!!! I am thankful for the MHWR volunteers who take on such huge tasks to rescue this gorgeous breed that needs lots of love and attention, strong guidance and training. Thank you MHWR for giving us the opportunity to adopt Pearl.

Julie Nelson Independence, Missouri