hungry and thirsty, there was nothing we could do to try and find our own food and water. One day, one of the other dogs got so sad and tired that he went inside his dog house to take a nap, but then he never came back again. I barked and barked for him, but I never saw him again.

I was 12 years old, and I was feeling very sad and tired too. I think that I would have gone to lay down and not gotten up just like my friend f I had to stay like that for many more days. That is when my luck started to change. A neighbor that I had never met noticed one day that she hadn't seen anyone go back to take care of the dogs in woods. She found me and the other dog there so thin and weak that we could barely move. She started feeding us, and then she started making some calls.

The other dog that was chained beside me wasn't old and sick like I was. Just a few days later, someone came and rescued him. I thought that they were going to take me too, but they didn't. Once again, I was left behind. No one wanted an old, sick dog like me, with tumors so big I could barely walk. Now, I was sad and alone for a second time. But, the neighor kept feeding me, and she kept making calls.

One day, Virginia Paws for Pits heard about me. It was a normal day, just like any other day. I peed in the same spot of dirt that I always peed in, and stretched my legs, and took a drink of water. I had no idea that my life would change forever. 

A nice lady from Virginia Paws for Pits came to pet me and look at me. Then, she did something no one had EVER done before. She reached up to my chain, and she took it off of me. She carried me to her car, and then she took me to the vet. I was happy, but I was also very scared and very confused. For 12 whole years, my little patch of dirt was the only thing I knew. My world had just gotten way bigger, and I didn't know what to think. I gave the rescue lady a few little licks to tell her thank you and then I hunched down beside her and took a little nap.

That all seems like ancient history now. Soon after I was rescued, I moved into a real home and actually got to live INSIDE. My tumors were removed and now I can get around much easier. I sleep on the bed and on the couch, and I am very happy. Sometimes I forget that I am safe with no more chain around my neck, and my foster mom will find me standing still in the same spot with my head hanging low. She gently pets me and reminds me that I'm not on the chain anymore, and then I remember. I remember that I am happy and loved and that nothing bad will ever happen to me again.

Thank you so much for listening to my story. If you would like to donate to my care, or to any other VPFP Hospice dogs, we would really appreciate that. Donations can be made by clicking on the link below. Thank you so much. I love you all!

Love, Mabel