Why is Your Pet "Rescued (or Stray) and Gorgeous"?
Hucklebee was found on the streets of Newark, NJ. When I saw her photo on Petfinder, I loved her little face. I remember the meet-and-greet at a tractor supply shop when we adopted her. She was only six months old.

We decided on the name “Hucklebee” because I am a fan of Huckleberry Finn. But “Huckleberry” didn’t seem right for a female dog, so Hucklebee it was.

Hucklebee has been in my life for 14-1/2 years now. She’s gotten me through some tough times, including a divorce, and moved with me to NYC and Philadelphia. She’s been my best friend, right up to the time I married again. (She’s still my second-best friend.) As a gorgeous family member, Hucklebee consented to being a bridesmaid at our wedding.

As a 22-pound pit-terrier mix, Hucklebee remains very active. She loves to play. I remember her going crazy over a big beach ball, trying to grab hold of it and bite it. She loves long walks, and snuggling. She’ll snuggle up to whoever drops by to visit, even if my wife and I have left the room.

The years have made for some changes in her appearance. The first occurred when she was only 3-4 years old, when she had to have her two front teeth removed. Her paws were once part pure white; we used to call them her “tennis shoes”. Her snout was originally black, looking as if it had been dipped in black paint. Now it looks like it was dipped in white paint. But Hucklebee remains as sweet and gentle as she was when I first adopted her.

The most remarkable relationship in Hucklebee’s life is the one she has with my 2-year-old son, Benjamin. Having rested her head on my wife’s belly when she was pregnant, Hucklebee greeted Benjamin almost as if she recognized him. “O, you’re here. Finally.”

When Benjamin cried as an infant, Hucklebee would begin howling. Benjamin would stop crying.

Now that Benjamin is two and sometimes gets a bit overwhelming, as two-year-olds do, Hucklebee just removes herself. But one day recently, when Benjamin had crumbs on his face, Hucklebee came up and started kissing him. No doubt, someday soon they’ll be best friends, just like Hucklebee and me.


Name of Rescue Organization or Shelter (or indicate "stray")
NJ Rescue