Shortly after Colleen Vetter of Mahwah, N.J., adopted Abby Rose from Ramapo-Bergen Animal Refuge in New Jersey, Colleen's mother became terminally ill. It hardly seemed an auspicious time to have a new member of the family. Life was hectic. Decisions had to be made by Colleen and her siblings, who spent many hours on the phone. Abby Rose stood by as a beacon of reassurance during the crisis.
"She was a huge comfort and mental health benefit during that time and every day since," Colleen says. "She lay with me while I cried and played with me to keep my mind busy."
In other words, Colleen's new companion was the best antidote to grief
she could have found. When Colleen looked on Petfinder for a dog to
adopt -- before her mother's illness -- she was simply looking for one
who needed unconditional love. It was about what she could do for the
dog, and Abby Rose certainly needed Colleen because the dog had been at
the refuge for quite some time.
"She has a portion of pit bull in her," Colleen says, "which tends to get some dogs overlooked."
Then the act of kindness in adopting an unwanted dog turned into a blessing for Colleen herself as Abby Rose helped her new "mom" through her grief, a silver lining for both of them.
Previous Happy Tails:
A Pekingese poster child for senior-pet adoption
Two dogs - one with mange, one abused - come home
Saving a starved and scarred Pit Bull
An abandoned cat comes in from the cold
A puppy-mill Chihuahua learns to live outside a cage
Sacrificing to save an abused, overlooked pit bull
A sick, abandoned puppy's incredible before & after pics
Someone sees beauty under the scars
A 'wild' Chinese Crested puppy comes home
A dad with Alzheimer's gets a 'miracle dog'
The rock-star cat who looks like a polar bear
A senior Dalmatian loses weight, gains new life
Lovebirds go from hoarder to happy home
A former bait dog finds safety and love
A perfect match is worth waiting for
A deformed kitten gets a happy ending
The victim of a cruel prank finds happiness
A rescued Border Collie mends a broken heart
"She has a portion of pit bull in her," Colleen says, "which tends to get some dogs overlooked."
Then the act of kindness in adopting an unwanted dog turned into a blessing for Colleen herself as Abby Rose helped her new "mom" through her grief, a silver lining for both of them.
Previous Happy Tails:
A Pekingese poster child for senior-pet adoption
Two dogs - one with mange, one abused - come home
Saving a starved and scarred Pit Bull
An abandoned cat comes in from the cold
A puppy-mill Chihuahua learns to live outside a cage
Sacrificing to save an abused, overlooked pit bull
A sick, abandoned puppy's incredible before & after pics
Someone sees beauty under the scars
A 'wild' Chinese Crested puppy comes home
A dad with Alzheimer's gets a 'miracle dog'
The rock-star cat who looks like a polar bear
A senior Dalmatian loses weight, gains new life
Lovebirds go from hoarder to happy home
A former bait dog finds safety and love
A perfect match is worth waiting for
A deformed kitten gets a happy ending
The victim of a cruel prank finds happiness
A rescued Border Collie mends a broken heart
