"From the Streets to My Heart"
He is a rescue pup. I found Chakotay at the TriCity Animal Shelter in Cedar Hill, TX. The reason I went "looking" was because I wanted to open my heart and home to a dog that would otherwise be homeless. It was a way to honor of Patrick and all the love he gave me. I did not want to shut off my heart and love to a dog in need.
Meet the newest member of our family, Chakotay (Ja'kotay). I named my new baby boy after the Indian on Star Trek Voyager.
Although I went looking specifically for a female Cocker Spaniel, I didn't think I'd actually find one at a shelter. We searched three or four shelters before we found Chakotay. Before that, I told Sandra that I'd really like to find a back & white girl. In my heart I felt that "she" was out there and if I didn't find her soon, she would be put down…. so we went "looking".
The people at TriCity said Chakotay looked like he had been on the streets for many months. His hair was so matted and flea infested they had to shaved it all off and found that he was skin and bones. It had been a long time since he had regular meals. In spite of his appearance, he was very loving. At TriCity we took him out to the small yard (greeting area). He ran around, jumped up in my lap and nuzzled me as if to say, “Can we go now? You’re my new mom, right? I’m the one! I’m not a girl, but I’m the one! You need me! Can we go now?” I fell in love.
We took Chakotay to the vet for his check up and shots. They think he may be about 1½ to 2 years old. Although I feared he might have some major health issues, but I took a chance. My heart breaks when I think of all that he must have gone through. Well, he is home now and his health has steadily improved. It took a week before he realized that each meal was not his "last”. He couldn’t believe that he had his own dog dish.
Chakotay has been a happy dog from the day we met. He loves to play ball. The first day we took him home he gathered up all the balls in the back yard and piled them up on one end of the couch, covered them with the throw blanket and then a teddy bear on top. A few days later I found a pile of balls in my bed. Now He realizes that he doesn't have to be overprotective of all the balls...they will still be there tomorrow. Erica has to keep her bedroom door closed or he will move all of her beanie babies to my bed.
Chakotay is wonderful. After loosing Patrick, I didn't think I'd be able to find a dog that I could love that much... at least not so soon. It looks like God knew what kind of "angel" I needed. It seems most of my angels come with fur coats, four legs and a few fleas. Ha!
I believe that God laid it on my heart to search the shelters when I did. He has sent joy, love and light back into my life through this little furry angel. Maybe someday you’ll get to meet Chakotay. Thank you for letting me share my story with you.
Take care,
K9Moma
