From rags to riches: Zara’s story

Zara’s life didn’t start out very well. As a puppy, she was taken to a shelter with her littermate. The owner signed the release that they could be immediately euthanized. And the facility she was taken to is a place that euthanizes unwanted dogs three days a week. They receive mostly pit bulls, and Zara didn’t have much of a shot. Like so many other puppies before her, she would die because she was born a pit bull.

But in this case, Zara was lucky. You see, her littermate was deaf. And one of the shelter workers knew of a rescue volunteer who loved to work with deaf dogs. So she contacted the rescue volunteer and told her about the deaf dog. She also mentioned that the deaf dog had a sister who could hear.

The rescue volunteer could not imagine taking the deaf puppy and leaving his sister behind. So Zara and her brother Ziggy came to live with the rescue worker. Zara immediately became a favorite of the rescue worker, because of her cute, rather large ears, and her sweet disposition. Once Zara was healthy enough and had been spayed and vaccinated, she went to PetSmart for adoptions.

It was a very cold day last Saturday, and the store was not very crowded. Zara barked at everyone. Her foster mom worried that no one would want to adopt such a loud dog. Zara just wanted attention, and was so excited to meet new people and the other dogs. But she had a loud bark, and it would not help her get adopted.

Then, shortly after Zara arrived, a couple arrived to shop for their dog. They met Zara and remarked how much she reminded them of their own dog as a puppy. After visiting with Zara for awhile, they left and picked up their dog from the groomers, and then returned so their dog could meet Zara. And the dogs did great together. So the couple decided to adopt Zara!  Now Zara has her very own family, with another dog to play with, and a fenced yard to run in, and people to love her and spoil her. And everyone hopes that she’ll live happily ever after.