After I graduated from college, all I wanted was a little brown Dachshund boy that I could name Harry Winston. We had a Dachshund named Popcorn when I was a baby and my parents always talked fondly of her, calling her their first child, and I really wanted a puppy that was "just mine".
I have always had pets, but they always seemed to worship the ground my mother walked on, with the exception of Fuzzball the cat who loved me for some reason... He was a good sport when I dressed him up in doll clothes... Anyway, I wanted a pup of my own knowing that I would move out soon and want to be responsible for someone.
I tell people that Harry kind of, "fell into my lap," because he really did. The sister of our customer service manager at work was looking at a kennel in Savannah, Georgia that had Dachshunds. Her sister got to talking to the breeder, and after she had picked out her own puppy, she asked about the little one with the overbite. The breeder said she would throw him in for free if she took the other puppy. Her sister did not want another pup and that's where I come in. I begged my mom for all of 45 seconds. I knew that I had just become the luckiest girl alive.
For the next two weeks I anxiously waited for my Harry Winston to arrive. I got the bowls, the collar, and the puppy food for my new playful puppy. Finally, the day came for me to get Harry and I was rather taken aback by what I had in my arms.
Harry was frightened, he was emaciated, had a curved back, and he could not walk. He not only had an overbite, and a kinky tail to boot. He was no bigger than my shoe. We took him home and he would barely look at us. I distinctly remember my mom saying to me, "Taylor, this dog is weird." I remember thinking the very same thing, something terrible had happened to him in his early life and he needed help.
We took him to the vet the very next day, and Ruth, our veterinarian, gave us the "I'm not convinced this dog will make it past the next two weeks" speech. We gave him the appropriate shots and started trying to get him better. Which was harder than we thought, since his back legs did not really work and he is a picky eater. Since that day, Harry has gone to work with me every single day.
Over the next few months, Harry gained weight and his ribs became less visible, he not only began to walk, but run, play, and jump! It was a good day when he figured out how to get on the couch by himself. He ate well and loves Pup-Peroni's. He lost his puppy teeth and he grew beautiful, white adult teeth, his curved back and kinky tail are just personality traits that make him that much more special. I am constantly reminded that he was neglected as a puppy, but his life is better now, he loves me and that's all I can ask for.
Now Harry is healthy, completely spoiled rotten, and happy. I am too. I remember thinking during those months that he was in sad shape, that a perfect puppy would be easier, but he wouldn't be my Harry. If I had to do it again, I wouldn't change a thing about him.
That being said, if you are thinking of getting a new pet. I strongly encourage you to look into different breed rescue groups such as Dachshund Rescue of North America. There are rescue groups for almost every breed imaginable, and some are country wide, and others are regional. You can also use websites like petfinder.com to find a pet near you or a rescue group. They have dogs, cats, guinea pigs, and even horses that need homes. Remember, that even though these pets may not look perfect, or even act perfectly, but they still need love and a warm home too.
Harry Winston makes my life better every day.