Entrant's First Name
Kristin

Your Pet's Rescue Story
Ralph was listed for "free" on Craigslist in 2010. Something told me to get him before someone bad did, not even knowing if I would keep him. Turns out he had been left in a foreclosed home, and a neighbor took him in temporarily. I was 25 years old and not sure if I was ready for a second dog. I knew he was ours the second he started cuddling with my other dog, Addy. Ralph was a wild man, who sought adventure, insisted everyone love him, and was full to the brim with unbridled joy. He was vocal, demanding, and hilarious. He would force himself onto strangers' laps, whether they wanted him there or not. Everyone would end up laughing and wanting him on their lap. He was an escape artist, and everyone in our neighborhood knew him and welcomed his unsolicited visits. Despite daily dog park trips and nightly walks/runs, he still had leftover energy. We moved from FL to NC in his older years, and he was in absolute heaven, living in the woods and on acreage. He would still visit our neighbors unannounced, even though they were about a quarter mile from our house! Nothing made me happier than seeing my boy explore the forest on our daily hikes around our property. He survived a tussle with a bear and being head-butted by a deer, and he once came home missing a tooth and with a turkey feather in his mouth. He was so proud of that feather! He had quite the "fan club" amongst our friends and family because of all his antics. He was a soul that could not be tamed. Despite his wild streak, he was my best little buddy. His favorite place to be was in my arms, being held on his back like a baby. We grew up together, and my greatest joy in life was being his mom. He was my "big helper" when I did chores around the house, and he went to work with me (upstairs...I usually work from home) every day, sleeping on a bed atop my desk. In his older years, we were inseparable. I lost him 5 days ago (June 27), and my heart will never be the same. As my neighbor said "When I picture you, I picture you holding Ralph. You two were a package." The pain of losing him has been excruciating, but every memory makes me laugh and makes my heart happy. He had a huge personality packed in his little body. My heart isn't ready yet, but I know he would want me to be happy and one day give another little boy all the love and adventure he enjoyed throughout his life.