08/23/2023
My husband and had been wanting a dog since our first one, Lou a Labrador, died after 2 years on chemo for blood cancer, but we were leary of the pain of losing another pet. My sister and I were driving past an animal shelter when I suddenly told her my dog is there. I felt the Holy Spirit so strong. So turned the car around feeling curious but trusting. I walked the aisle looking at each caged dog. By the I was almost at the end I felt disappointed and began to think I was wrong about being lead my the Spirit. I had 2 cages left and began to feel dejected, but I kept going.... and there he was. My heart knew tihs was the one I had been lead too. He was a pitbull mix, white with tan color blocks. He was huddled in the for corner and only lifted his eyes. You could see him shaking all over. I called to him several times but he didn't move. I kept trying and he slowly got up and walked to the cage door. You could see such sadness in his eyes and his whole body was trembling. I knelt down and put my fingers as for as I could into the cage. He snifed then licked my fingers. I saw his eyes begin to brighten. I could hardly wait to get him out of the cage. I knew he needed us. I told the assistant this is the one. She looked shocked and said are you sure. He's already failed 2 placements and he's a rescue from New Orleans after Katrina. I told yes yes I'm sure and would she take him out so I could see him and interact with him. She was hesitant and I said yes I want him. She left to get a leash and I read his story pinned to his cage. His name was Pety. I started calling to him his name and more life poured into him. When she brought him out he started to slowly wag his tail, still trembling and you could feel his nervousness. I just hugged him and petted him trying to give reassurance. But I could feel his fearful spirit. We went for a walk and he kept his head down but after awhile I noticed he was starting to come to life again. We went into the meet and greet room and by then he would come to me for petting without being called. He'd go around a small the room then come running back to me putting both his front paws on my lap and gave doggie kisses. I was thrilled. I just knew he was the one the Holy Spirit lead me to. I called my husband who was at work and told him he had to come, that i had found our dog. I was so happy and had already fallen in love with him. My husband said he was on his way. The interactions between Pety and me continued and I saw he was happy and his trembling had almost stopped. My husband arrived and when Pety saw him he came to me trembling again. It was obvious he was afraid of men. My husband tried and tried to make friends with him but Pety was just not having it. He was definitely afraid of men. He stayed by my side the entire time. Well we went through the adoption process abd Pety would just cling to me for dear life. I knew it hurt my husbands feeling and I told him not to worry Pety would warm up to him. As were leaving the tech said O I'm so glad you adopted him he was scheduled to be put down tomorrow. I was shocked, angry and thankful to the Lord for giving him to us. How could anyone think of putting this sweet, lovable but frightful dog down. Anyway we left, I drove Pety home and my husband followed. Pety was all over me with excitement. We got home, fed him and let him enjoy himself running and running around the back yard. When we came back in Pety headed straight to under the kitchen table and would not move, even when I kenlt down and reassured him. He was still learly of my husband and it became obvious to us that he must have been abused by a man. My sweet husband crawled under the table and slept with him for 3 nights, just to try and gain his trust. On the fourth night after much coaxing him got into bed with us. Of course he had to be touching me and slept right on my back. My husband finally got to sleep in the bed, haha. And so our life with Pety begain. With lots of love and patience he came out of his shell over time. I had to have back surgery years later and the whole time I was gone he stayed in "his chair" mopping. He refused to eat. When I got home the family was concerned about letting him on the bed with me. I was in so much pain I told them to let come to me, as soon as he laid down by my side the pain eased. I know it was because we were together again. Pety learned to be a happy dog again and I aiso learned from him. He had been abused years ago by now but he was still learly of any and strangers that he came across even though he had been in our loving home for years. I also had an abusive childhood and still hard a hard time opening up to people. It opened my eyes how no matter how safe and loving environment I was like Pety. Then I realized that I was holding myself back and opening up to people was ok and safe. He truly was a wonderful and loving family member. On Thanksgiving Day 2018 he broke his leg and became very sick and our Vet recommended he be put down for his own sake. We stayed with through out the procedure crying our eyes out. They let us stay with as long as we wanted. Such a heartwrenching time. We felt like we were losing our child. Its been 7 years now and we still love and miss him so much. I even dream of him being happy and whole running in heaven. I'm always so happy after those dreams. We can't or we have not reached a point to be able to even wanting another dog. He was our Pety Boy and no one could macth the love we had for each other. We will probably get another one but it's still to soon. Our hearts belong to him. Thank you Shawn & Martin Thomas ♥️
- Shawn Thomas -
