Thursday, August 22, 2013

The Story of Willis



Since a few of my readers have commented on Willis, I decided to share his story with the rest of you.

This month, my pet turns two. At the time he came into my life, I was still telling people that there was no way I could take on the responsibility of owning a dog. I had grown up with dogs and loved them dearly, but with my schedule, I didn't think that I'd be able to find the time to properly care for one.

And then I saw the email with Willis' photo (seen above).

It wasn't just his expressive eyes and cute floppy ears that got to me; it was his story that moved me to say "yes." Found in a city near the border, he was only about two months old. He had been wandering the streets with another dog who had become the victim of a hit and run. Willis curled up with his dear lost friend, refusing to budge. Covered in fleas, he protectively growled at his future rescuer, allowing him to approach only when he was bribed with a leftover piece of pizza. Fortunately, this man and his wife are passionate about animals and were well versed in fostering them until they were able to find a permanent home. The email that they sent had a photo of him curled up in the street with his dead friend. Absolutely heartbreaking.

Even though I had seen countless emails showing dogs that needed homes, this particular one hit me like a ton of bricks, and before I knew it, Willis had moved into Daveland. Here's one of the first photos I took of him.



Flash forward two years, and you can see Willis in all his glory, dressed up for his first Black Tie Event, the Humane Society's Black Tie Ball.





Willis' debut on the red carpet:



The band Haute Chile entertained at the gala:



I had to take a photo of this couple, even though I didn't know them. I thought I was crazy about my pet...it would appear that I pale in comparison to this duo.



Willis was very well-behaved, earning his share of attention and treats.



Here are the Belle and the Beau of the Ball; obviously, Willis had not been entered, otherwise, he would have been on the stage instead.



The chocolate dessert (which Willis could not partake in), from Pamplemousse Grille in Solana Beach.



The Live Auction brought a lot of money in for the Humane Society; items on the block included a $12,000 Birkin Bag.



In the past, I was intent on (one day) getting a pure bred...one that wouldn't shed and had a mild temperament. Thanks to Willis, my priorities have greatly shifted, and I couldn't imagine adopting a pet anywhere other than from a foster home or the Humane Society. There are so many wonderful pets to be found there that it would be out of the question for me to look anywhere else.

See more vintage & current Sleeping Beauty Castle at Disneyland photos on my Castle web pages.

6 comments:

K. Martinez said...

Thanks for sharing Willis' story. Sad but sweet and with a happy outcome. I'm glad you decided to take him into your home.

He has such an expressive face! Just seeing him in photos and knowing he has a good home brightens my day.

PsySocDisney said...

I adore hearing rescue stories like this one. Willis is one lucky pup and has the cutest little face! And what a great story of loyalty.
We rescued our Aussie mix Coulson a few months before a sudden family illness took over our lives and he couldn't have come at a better time. I always thought those "Who rescued who?" slogans and stickers were corny until what was a simple pet turned into a source of great comfort in our time of need.
I wish you and Willis many years of happiness together!

Anonymous said...

Good for you Dave. My dogs all came from shelters. And I've never regretted it.

KS

Anonymous said...

What KS said. Our many cats over the years have either found us or come from shelters. My wife's sister volunteers at a local shelter, the stories and pets there are "heartwarming". (usually I hate that word, but for this, nothing else works).

So glad that Willis has a home, and you have a devoted friend. Please continue to share your stories. I have to go, I have something in my eye.

JG

Daveland said...

PsySocDisney - I think that the majority of the time, it is the pet that rescues the owner. They really help put things in perspective; things that we typically think are so important get obliterated when you look into their eyes.

JG - I'll be sending a kleenex over for your eye!

Connie Moreno said...

What a great story!