Entrant's Name
Ronnie

Animal Bio
Tiny Joey, a poodle/Yorkie was brought to the SPCA having been found in a box in a park. He was deathly ill, dirty, and his teeth were so rotten that two teeth had broken through his gums and into his nostrils. His breath was horrible. We fostered Joey because he was so afraid of everyone that he could not be kept at a shelter. Thanks to the SPCA, most of his teeth were removed and the infection in his mouth was cured. He was 3.5 pounds. We dont know how old he was.

I kept Joey in a baby carrier on my chest every possible moment for the first months he lived with us. Each and every noise startled him. He wouldn't let anyone near him, not even my husband, Rob. It took several months before Joey would let Rob pet him, then eventually hold him. Night time was very strange. I would take Joey to bed with me. When Rob would come to bed, Joey would start growling, snarling, snappping his remaining 6 teeth and running up and down the bed. He tried everything to prevent Rob from entering the bedroom. To this day, over 7 years later, he continues to snarl and snap when Rob enters the bedroom, but now he's also wagging his tail. It has become a game.

After living with us for a few months, he was healed and ready to be put up for adoption. As a big dog lover (think St. Bernard, Bull Mastiff), I wasn't thinking about keeping Joey as a part of our family. My husband, the one who consistently says "no" to my bringing strays home, said he would support me if I wanted to keep Joey. What?? He knew i didnt want to keep him. For 2 days, I kept hearing that he would support me. I cauggt on... he had fallen in love and didn't want Joey to go. And when it came time to meet potential foster fammilies, I couldnt atand the thought of parting with sweet, sweet Joey.

Joey has gained a full pound and now allows other people to pet him. A select few people can hold him, and he has even developed a strong bond with one of our woman friends. He tolerates our cat who begs him to play with her, but he is interested in only one thing: being cuddled and petted. With both hands, mind you. He will tap your our hand with his paw until he achieves his 2-handed petting experience.

Joey has had to have his remaining teeth removed, so he eats his kibble soaked and softened in homemade chicken broth. Joey loves to go with us to Mexico with us in the winter where he is remembered by the locals (they remember his name, but not ours:)

This little boy has brought us more joy than we could have imagined.