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For the month of November, I wanted to feature one of my wonderful rescued pets, and give special thanks for all of the happiness that my rescued pets have brought to our lives. As they say, it is a two-way street when you choose to rescue/adopt a pet from a shelter or rescue organization. You save the animal and give it a loving home, yet that animal gives you so much love, appreciation and joy in return. It really is difficult to tell just "who rescued who" sometimes!! Here is Tallie's story:

I decided one April, while living in Los Angeles and volunteering for a wonderful rabbit rescue organization called Zooh Corner Rabbit Rescue (www.mybunny.org), to go to one of the most high-kill shelters in the city, and rescue a rabbit or two,  just in time for Easter. Rabbits generally do not get much of a chance in over-crowded, high kill shelters, as they are quite low on the "totem pole" beneath dogs and cats. While I was at this particular animal shelter, I did find two bunnies to adopt, but while I was waiting for them to complete the paperwork, I spied a door off to the side of the dog kennel area, which said "quarantined". I walked over and saw a photo and info about a tan puppy who was being kept in there, and I asked one of the staff what the story was. It turns out this particular puppy, 7 months old, had been brought into the shelter with her siblings as a tiny puppy, and had been adopted, but a few months later, was found wandering around the city neighborhood again, and was brought in by the dog catcher. No one claimed her, and by now, she also had a couple of very curable medical issues. Since this particular city shelter was so over crowded, their policy was to put these animals down, rather than treat them. I asked if I could see her, and when I was let into the quarantine area, it was heartbreaking. She was missing a lot of her fur, and her skin was in terrible condition. She was so sad-looking, but when I spoke to her, she was still able to muster up a little bit of a tail wag, and soon, she walked slowly over to the cage door and stuck her nose through, while giving me that (now familiar) big Tallie smile.

The staff member told me she was scheduled to be put down that day, so I made quick call to my veterinarian (the man was and is a complete angel) and he said to bring her straight over, and he would treat her and  make a space for her to stay until she was well.

After she was better, we decided to foster her, until we could find her a permanent loving home....but because she is a Pit Bull mix, everyone we talked to wanted to turn her into a "junk yard dog" and we knew this was unfair and was NOT Tallie's personality. She does have a VERY LOUD SCARY BARK and would protect us with all of her might if necessary, but she is not a vicious dog. She is gentle and kind.

After a while, we couldn't even fathom parting with her. Now, ten years later, Tallie is a much loved member of our family, and is still going strong, although her muzzle and eyebrows have turned a lovely grey. We joke that she "moved on up" to the suburbs, from her beginnings "on the street". She is our protector and yet, one of the sweetest dogs on the planet, who loves to chase butterflies, squeaks at the cats, and who has made friends with a toad and a lizard in the backyard over the years.

I am thankful for the joy Tallie and ALL of our wonderful fur and feather kids have brought to our lives. Happy Thanksgiving, from our house to yours!!

Love, Carolyn

Name:  Tallie (Short for Tallulah, which is a Native American word for Dancing Water).

Age:    Eleven years

Breed:  Lab/Shepherd/Pit Bull Mix

Best Fur Friend:  Eliza Jane!! And I kinda like those cats and rabbits....although I'm not sure what to do with them sometimes, so I just squeak at them!

Best Non-Fur Friend:  I love pretty much every human I have ever met, and I have made friends with several toads, lizards and butterflies in the backyard.

Favorite Past Time:  Car Rides!! I love to hang my head out the window and sometimes bark when I see a dog in another car!

Best Trait:  My giant Pit Bull Smile, and Sweet Personality AND my white socks!!

What I'm especially good at:  Tolerance! I am never mean and I love the puppies and cats, even though they a can be quite annoying. Mom says I have the "Patience of Job" (whoever Job is!)

Favorite QVC Product:  I LOVE my new large MyPillow Pet Bed!! Although I DO share with a cat or two sometimes!

PS: I DO love TURKEY!! (Hint Hint, Mom!!)