Adopter Name

Kari Shields

Rescue Dog’s Name

Dodger

Where Did You Find Your Dog?

I found Dodger at the Cincinnati SPCA in Sharonville. When I walked into the shelter I had no intention of getting a dog- i was ”window shopping” wishing my life was ready for a dog. Little did I know, I was ready. He was in his little enclosure with his feet crossed and his head rested on his feet when I first walked by. I wrote his kennel number on my little piece of paper to remind me to go back and check him out before I left. The second time I went back Dodger put his teeth to the glass like he was going to eat me so I quickly scratched his name off my list and went on to ask the volunteer about the long haired white dog in the other cage.

Tell Us About the Moment When You Knew that You Two Were Meant for Each Other.

While I waited for the volunteer to bring me a fluffy white dog, another volunteer came out and said ”how about this sweet boy” and released Dodger into the yard. I remembered his face and how scared he was – but he had a new face now. His long floppy ears were flapping behind him as he ran circles around me like he’d never run before. He sniffed me and checked me out and licked my face – he was mine and I was his.

How Has Your Hero Changed Your Life?

Dodger came home with me that day. His past foster mom contacted me and told me about how he was a stray and so scared and starved so badly when she got him and how she was so happy someone came to love him as she did. He was skinny at first but he has gained 10 pounds. He loves running, and soccer, and bread (if i leave a loaf out, he neatly opens the bag and eats all the bread). He chases birds in the sky and tries to catch passing cars while his head hangs out the car window. He is a funny dog and so fun. But recently Dodger showed me the real, heart warming compassion I can only imagine he felt when I collared him up to take him home. I had to Put down my 19 year old companion that my parents got me when I was 5, my little calico Kitty. Dodger watched me cry and licked my face and stayed by my side the whole time. This photo is of my last day with my kitty, and my hero Dodger – making sure that mommy is ok. Someone left him for dead – they must not have known how much love he had.