This was a first for all of us. Two dogs, mistreated their whole lives, abandoned by their owner, loved by a neighbor, picked up by the pound, and finally, turned over to us. What an ordeal!
These two brothers lived across the street from Vicki their whole lives after their owner came home with the 2 pups for his sons one day a year and a half ago. They were chained outside almost immediately, seperate from each other so they couldn't "fight" (we have had them for over a month and they have never fought - just love to play), with only one dog house that only one of the dogs had access to. Vicki often brought the dogs food and water, as she knew they were being neglected. Of course, she grew to adore these sweet brothers.
The owner got evicted from his home in January 2004 and Vicki was sad to think she may never see the dogs again, and wondered what kind of life they would have. After a week, Vicki's son heard dogs crying in the evicted man's backyard. They were shocked and appauled to find the dogs still there. They brought them water and bowl after bowl of food, as the dogs were starving. The owner had abandoned them.
The next day, Vicki brought this situation to my attention, as she is a co-worker of mine. I told her to call me that afternoon when she got home, and I would come get the dogs. Unfortunately, when Vicki got home, there was a notice on the evicted man's door from San Antonio's Animal Control facility, stating they had picked up the dogs.
At that point, we both thought that was the end. There wasn't much hope of us getting the dogs out of Animal Control, and they would only be held for 3 days before being euthanized. I tried to prepare Vicki for the worst, but Vicki refused to accept that these two poor dogs, who have had horrible lives, would now die a horrible death. She was right. I started making calls and sending out emails to anyone I thought might be able to help. I finally spoke to the shelter manager at Animal Control several times about our options, but he didn't give me much hope. Vicki tried calling the owner, and finally, on the second day of the dogs being at Animal Control, she got through to the man. After much convincing, he agreed to meet us at Animal Control and surrender the dogs over to us.
We rushed over to Animal Control that afternoon, and $180 later, we were loading two of the smelliest, most horribly matted, dirty, skinny, and scared dogs I have ever met.
They each immediately got a dose of Frontline and lots of food upon arrival at our house. After a couple days of settling in, they both got a good grooming from our wonderful neighbor, Laura Cude. The absence of hair revealed just how horribly thin they were. It was heartbreaking. But boy did they feel better after getting all that matted, smelly hair off! We decided to change their names, as their previous names were linked to a horrible life, and decided on Farley and Guinness. We were amazed at what wonderful temperments these two dogs had, after a life of neglect. They never once even growled at us. They always just looked at us with sweet, warm, thankful eyes.
Over the next couple weeks, we dewormed, fought off diarreah and kennel cough and found out that Guinness was heartworm positive. But both dogs have gained over 10 pounds each and are looking and feeling wonderful! They are scheduled to get neutered soon and then Guinness will start his heartworm treatment. They are now affectionately called "The Wonder Twins."
These two brothers are very bonded, and we would love for them to find a home together, but 2 loving forever homes apart is better than what they had before.
We have high hopes that we will find just the right home (or homes) for these two sweet, loving dogs that deserve a second chance.

2 1/2 months later.