Happily Ever After

Shelter Dog Titus Believes in Miracles!

Reported by Kristy Schroeder
Owner of Barking Mad Pet Salon
www.barkingmadllc.com

A good friend of mine, Colleen Peltier, volunteers and helps to rescue dogs from shelters near Los Angeles. Every time we chat, we discuss the large number of dogs being taken into California shelters every single day. Wanting to help her in some small way even though I'm clear across the country in Indiana, I started sending her a "goody box" every few weeks. I would fill it with handmade bandanas for the dogs to wear, toys to play with, and treats to eat! Anything to help the homeless fur babies feel loved in what was more than likely their final days on earth.

Well, I will never forget the message I received from Colleen on the morning May 7th where she says, "Hey Kristy, your bandanas and toys were a real treat to these poor babies. One big burly boy heard that squeak from a red heart toy, and boy, did he ever light up! The shelter volunteer had forgotten to take the tag off of it and this big boy was not about to let her have it back!" That message had me in tears before I had even finished listening to it. I KNEW I had to save "that" dog.

I immediately called Colleen to tell her I wanted to save that dog and I had already begun calling "Titus." To my surprise she ended the call very abruptly.

Taken aback and feeling quite desperate, I followed up with an email so she knew I was serious. Colleen replied to that email and told me how she had to call the shelter immediately and put a hold on the nameless stray dog.

She continued to explain how he was a shelter staff favorite and how they had "extended" his time at the shelter by three weeks because he was such a sweetheart and they all loved him dearly. Colleen then explained how he was about to be euthanized on that very day. Titus was pulled from the shelter by an angel with the name of Marisa Robles.

Marisa not only volunteered her home to foster Titus until his flight to Indiana, but took him in as her own. She bought him toys, treats, and a crate for his bed. She took him to be groomed and pampered, and she hiked the gorgeous California countryside with him every day.

Now, Colleen and I began researching ways of getting Titus transported to me in Indiana. I posted to Pilots N Paws, knowing it was long shot since he would have to fly across several states, but a Pilot by the name of Vince Kreizinger with Pilots N Paws sent a reply to my request for flight. Vince said he would be making that very flight, Los Angeles to Indiana on Memorial Day weekend.

Now the reality kicked in that "Titus" was coming to Indiana I realized I had to help find him a forever home. Then it occurred to me, a new friend I had met via a popular internet socializing site had just started a non-profit called Stiggy's Dogs in honor of her nephew who had been killed while serving in Afghanistan. They rescue dogs then train them to become service dogs and present them to returning soldiers suffering from post-traumatic- stress syndrome and various other stress-related health conditions. What better place for Titusa rescued dog rescuing heroes!

Titus arrived in Indianapolis with Vince in the late evening hours of Saturday May 29, 2010. I will remember it always; the day I was finally able to kiss the dog that had started me on this incredible journey, and it was also the day I had to tell him good-bye. Titus, now renamed Stiggy, is the official rescued spokes-dog for Stiggy's Dogs. He travels to schools, military bases, and community affairs teaching our children, our military and civilians alike that there are many kinds of heroes and many kinds of rescues. I may have rescued Titus, but Titus was destined to be a hero!

For more information visit:
www.stiggysdogs.org