Happy Gotcha Day Tommy

I'm really not trying to get extra attention here, Tommy's Day was almost exactly two years after Tasha's. It wasn't planned that way, I didn't even realize it at the time it was going on.

My domain (site where I post my pictures) has been a bit unstable.. sometimes pictures don't show up at first, if this happens I apologize :o. Anyway.. here is my letter to Tommy on his day.

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Dear Tommy,

On March 30, 2001, my brother-in-law, Donnie, pulled into the driveway with his truck. I raced out to see him helping you, frightened, from your crate. But once your feet hit the ground, you lit up. I couldn't believe how big you were! I had been told you were six months old, and I wasn't expecting a 65-pounder to come through the door. I wish I had some pictures of you that day.. Alas, I did not have my digital camera yet.

Let me back up a moment and describe the circumstances of how you came to us. David came home one day, and as Tasha and Willie greeted him, he looked at Tasha and said "How would you like a playmate?" I was astounded of course. He then proceeded to explain how a friend of Donnie's had taken a young golden retriever from a bad situation, living on the end of a chain out in a very rural area. You see, the friend, out of pity for you, had persuaded the owners to give you up. They wanted the money for you that they paid when they bought you, $350, but in the end wanted to be rid of you more. The friend was going to take you in to a shelter or rescue, but Donnie talked to David about you. Totally unexpected for me, David considered taking you in, and came home to talk to me about it. Would I have ever thought of saying ‘no?' You can bet your dog biscuits I didn't!

Now, we were not so financially stable at the time. When my brother-in-law first approached David, David explained we simply could not afford your shots and neutering at the time. Donnie was in a lot better straits, and being the dog lover he is, offered to pay all those initial costs if we could take you and give you a forever home. So you see, Tommy, there were many people involved in your rescue.

You had some issues, you were unsure, flighty, cringed easily, and submissive urinated like crazy, especially with men. On your blood tests, the vet found traces of rat poison in your blood. We will never know if that was deliberate :(. But you recovered. You and Tasha fast became friends and playmates. Old Willie again took it all in stride, quietly accepting, as he always did. You seemed to know he was old and fragile, and never roughhoused with him. Willie passed on from this life 8 months later.

I can't begin to describe all that you have brought into my life. A more cuddly and affectionate dog, I have never known. You adore above all else being touched and loved. Maybe partly because that was so absent in your puppyhood. You know what it means when someone laughs, and you will strive to do whatever you can to make that happen, no matter how silly it is. After three years, you will still ‘fight with your tail' to hear me laugh.

http://www.doordolt.com/~jfrank/Dogs3/tailgame1.jpg

http://www.doordolt.com/~jfrank/Dogs3/tailgame3.jpg

If I'm busy, you'll deposit toys in my lap until I notice. Or lay there and stare at me until I finally take notice.

http://www.doordolt.com/~jfrank/Dogs3/tommytoy.jpg


Who could not stop then and give a few tugs?
http://www.doordolt.com/~jfrank/Dogs3/tommytug.jpg

Tommy, you have the most arresting eyes, so deep, soft, gentle, and filled with feeling.

http://www.doordolt.com/~jfrank/Dogs3/tommyclose.jpg

http://www.doordolt.com/~jfrank/Dogs...ywoebegone.jpg

http://www.doordolt.com/~jfrank/Dogs4/tommyprofile.jpg

http://www.doordolt.com/~jfrank/Dogs4/tommyball1.jpg

You have grown into a magnificent boy, tipping the scales at 83 pounds, you are one large bundle of love and devotion. None of our lives, mine, David's, or Tasha's, would be the same without you. We love you, sweet boy. Happy Gotcha Day.

http://www.doordolt.com/~jfrank/Dogs7/springday24.jpg

http://www.doordolt.com/~jfrank/Dogs7/springday17.jpg

Dear beautiful Tommy. Your mommy's sure got the water works going this time. I had no idea you were so terribly abused during your puppyhood precious boy:( No wonder you were so terribly frightened and skittish that day you jumped out of Donnie's truck and into your mommy's arms. Before "coming home," all the humans in your life had let you down, shown you nothing but neglect and cruelty:( Thankfully, and in the nick of time, all of your many earthly rescue angels conspired to remove you from those horrors...David, Donnie and of course, your loving mom:) And now, you're the happiest, healthiest, most lovable Golden Guy on earth! It never ceases to amaze me how willing you puppers are to forgive, to put those unhappy days behind you, to learn to love and trust again. All it took was a bit of patience, a little time and a lot of loving from your devoted mom, dad, Tasha and dear, dear Willie and before long, you were transformed from a scared and cowering puppy into a confident and joyful furry love sponge!:D Tommy, it's impossible to look at that sweet, sweet face (especially when you're mouthing that ball!:D) and not smile from ear to ear! How lucky is your family to have been blessed with such a beautiful, sweet and gentle Golden boy. I wish I could be there to congratulate you in person, Tommy. I hope your mom will give you tons of hugs and kisses for me on your special day:)
Happy Gotcha Day, TERRIFIC Tommy!!!:) Love, Sandra, Cody and Star!

http://www.doordolt.com/~jfrank/Dogs3/tommytoy.jpg

What a wonderfull tribute to a sweet Golden boy. My eyes are leaking.

Thankyou to all that were involved in your rescue dear Tommy i hope you have a great day filled with fun and lots of extra treats.

Awwwwwwwwwwwwwwww. Tommy, if your mama doesn't already know it, she is one special lady, and so is your daddy. I thank them with all my heart for knowing that it was the right thing to do in taking you into their loving home. I know that Tasha and Willie must have loved you from the very first moment too, sweetheart.

Tommy, you are a Golden Love Boy, just like my Zipper. You boys never cease to amaze me with your trust and love after having such a rough beginning.

Happy Gotcha Day to you, Tommy. I hope you will celebrate many, many more with your precious family!!!! :)

Thank you for the heartfelt responses :)

Tommy did indeed have a rough start in life :(. He's so happy now, you'd never guess it. When he first came to live with us, he'd flop over on his back with his tail tucked every time he was approached. He's so much more confident now. Even in the past few months, he has made progress. For nearly as long as we have had him, he has cringed to objects held out towards him, and just very recently seemed to get much better about this. It just goes to show how incredibly impressionable they can be in those first six months of life.

Whenever Donnie visits, he always remarks about how Tommy has such a good home now, and how happy he is. I know he feels really good about his part in Tommy's rescue. I keep telling him he and his wife should get a house instead of renting their apartment, so that they can get their own pup, as both love dogs dearly.

I'm so very happy that Tommy is a part of our lives and home. He and Tasha are so good together. Tasha yells at him occasionally if she feels he is intruding on her space, but overall they get along perfectly. Tommy always defers to her alpha status. :)

Aww, what a lovely tribute to your gorgeous boy. :)

Happy Gotcha Day Sweet Tommy! :D

What a beautiful tribute to both of you! I'm sitting here at my desk (at work) with tears of joy in my eyes.

I'm always in awe of how things work out for the very best. It doesn't happen all the time, but when it does - it really does! Makes you really believe that someone up there is watching out for us.

Congratulations to all of you for a wonderful past 2 years and many more to come.

What a great story about your special boy!!!!

Happy Gotcha Day Tommy!!!!!!!

Aww, that was so sweet, Jessica. My eyes are watery.
Well Tommy, it seems you landed yourself in the best home possible! :D You're a beautiful Golden boy, and one of my favorites here. It's amazing how dogs can forgive us, even when they've been in such horrible situations. But, that's a Golden for ya. ;)

HAPPY GOTCHA DAY, TOMMY! :D:D:D

Happy Gotcha Day Tommy. :)

Awww, Jessica, you write such touching letters. I knew before I opened this tread up that I would get weepy and yes, I did. Thank you so much for taking Tommy in and taking such wonderful care of him and showing him that there is love in the world. Special thanks for sharing him with us!

Happy Gotcha Day, Tommy! You great big bundle of red beauty! We love you!

Robin :)

Oh Tommy.. just like your sister's story, yours brought the tears out of me.

Happy Gotcha Day to a handsome boy. :)

another wonderful tribute k9soul! that tommy has such a sweet face, especially when he's got a toy in his mouth, just calls out for a kiss on top of the head and a toss of the toy for him.:)

Par...