My name is Dexter, and I’m one of the dogs on the Pup Plaza mural (second from the right)! If you’ve been to Pup Plaza, it’s probably one of the first things you noticed. I’ve been told that those of us pictured in the mural are rescue dogs who have deeply touched the lives of the folks of SVPP. Today, I want to share with you how SVPP touched my life. In future blogs, you’ll be hearing from some of my friends who are also on the mural.
The day I was brought from the shelter to SVPP (Sept. 2016).
In September 2016, I was the very first dog that Sue, a new SVPP volunteer and foster coordinator, picked up from the shelter. Neither of us had any idea how much we would change each other’s lives, but looking back now, I think we were meant to be together.
For two months, SVPP volunteer and board member Maureen fostered me. When we first met, I wasn’t feeling great about myself. Even though I was only two years old, I had lost a lot of hair due to a mysterious skin infection, and was so shy and scared of the world around me. Getting too close to any human or dog and any sound made me jumpy. If it wasn’t for Maureen’s willingness to foster a scared, semi-bald dog, I would have been euthanized that day. Maureen truly saved my life and was the first person at SVPP who got me on the path to recovery. It wasn’t until I was rescued by the good people at SVPP that I realized before then, I hadn’t gotten the love and care that I needed and deserved.
With Sue, one year after I was rescued (Sept. 2017).
Then Sue volunteered to be my foster mom. Sue said that meeting me was love at first sight — and two months later, she and her husband Tom decided to adopt me into their family. Deciding to bring home a 23-pound Spaniel/Dachshund mix like me was a surprise for Sue, who had only had large dogs like German Shepherds her whole life. If you had asked her before we met what kind of dog her next one would be, she would have said another big dog! But, life had other plans for both of us, and I have taught her how great small dogs can be!
Over the last three and a half years, Sue and the SVPP team’s love and care have helped me slowly become more physically healthy, more confident and more trusting of the world around me. Sue jokes that I was the “Original Social Distancer” before COVID-19 because I never wanted to get within six feet of anyone! I’ve had a lot of small breakthrough moments, like the first time I let a man pet me and didn’t react in fear, and the first time I was able to stay on the grooming table at the vet for more than five minutes. These days, I get my full, luscious coat of fur trimmed at the vet every six weeks, and it’s one of my favorite activities!
Life is good! Taking a nap with my toys at home (2020).
I’m grateful to SVPP for introducing me to my forever family, showing me what a joyful, beautiful place the world can be, and teaching me what love is. There are a lot of dogs like me, and cats, that deserve a chance at health and happiness just as much as anyone else. To learn more about how you can help SVPP fulfill its mission of saving local at-risk shelter pets, visit the organization’s site.
With much love and gratitude to Sue and my SVPP family,
Dexter
Alandea Munoz, SVPP volunteer and guest blogger, helped Dexter tell his story.