The Bigger the Dog, the Bigger the Heart

Feb 07, 2012

Don't pass these awesome dogs by

We met Thunder five years ago. He was six years old at the time and weighed about 60 pounds. As handsome as he was, he was getting passed by day after day as families took home smaller dogs and young puppies.

I had never had such a large dog, living for the last 14 years with two Miniature Pinschers and two cats. But the more we learned about Thunder, the more we loved him and wanted him to have a great home. Turns out that great home would be ours, and we haven't regretted it for a minute.

Thunder's story is one we hear all too often: He had lived with a family since he was a puppy, but circumstances spiraled out of their control. They were forced to move to a tiny apartment and simply couldn't take him with them. As sad as it was for him, getting to bring him home with us was a true joy! He was already housebroken. He knew how to sit and shake and ask to go outside. He has never chewed up a single shoe or piece of furniture.

Five years later, older and larger dogs like Thunder are still getting passed by in the shelter environment -- sometimes that means they're not making it out alive. But if you pass them by, you're passing by some pretty amazing dogs, dogs that are well beyond that up-all-night, chew-on-everything, pee-everywhere stage.

Over the next few weeks, we're going to introduce you to dogs like Matilda, Jessica Simpson and Patricia. These dogs have big hearts to go with their big size. They are older, which translates to wiser and calmer in many ways. They're looking for homes with lots of love to give, plenty of treats in stock and a neighborhood walk penciled into the day's schedule.