Story by Sherri Goodall
My name is Mulligan. It used to be Bella. I’m two years old, and for most of that time I lived in a breeding kennel. My main purpose was to have puppies so that my owners could sell them. I didn’t have much to do with people. Basically I was fed, bred and ignored. I was by myself most of the time, except when I was put with male dogs. I lived in a wire kennel with concrete floors. Life was not fun.
I’m small for a Westie. I only had one or two puppies in a litter, so I wasn’t much good as a breeder. One day my owner took me and some other Westie girls to an auction. There, we were sold in “lots” or groups. Many other breeds were there too, being auctioned.
I met my angel there, Meredith, from Oklahoma Westie Rescue.
She “bought” several of us Westies. She drove us to Oklahoma, to her home, Westie Heaven. She probably has 10-15 Westies there at any given time.
Meredith has several other “angels” that work with her as foster parents. They take us in, work through our fears, potty train us, hold us, and mainly love us. They give us something we never had before…TRUST. They also take care of our health issues.
My foster mom and dad picked me up at Meredith’s and took me to their house in Catoosa. I met another rescued Westie named Lola. The foster family loved her so much they adopted her. She was a mess! She had an under bite and a lo-o-o-ng body, like a dachshund. She was so sassy . She taught me how to play (I didn’t know what that was) and how to potty outside. I didn’t know what grass was. I sniffed it, and touched it with my paws, but was afraid to walk on it. I was used to pottying on concrete. I even had my own soft bed, right next to Lola. I felt safe enough to climb into my foster mom’s lap, but I was afraid of everyone else. I learned that I didn’t have to gobble up all my food at once, that no one would take it away.
I was learning to like my new home when one day a lady came to see me. She had a handsome Westie gentleman with her. His name was MacGyver. You could tell he came from very famous parents. He’s fourteen years old. I’m not that crazy about older men, even though he acted friendly. His mom was really nice, but I was scared. It seemed each time I got comfortable, something changed. I ran out in the backyard and tried to hide in the corner. MacGyver decided to chase Lola and flirt with her. I became a little curious and came closer to watch, but MacGyver only had eyes for Lola!
MacGyver’s mom told us that they had another Westie, named Queenie. She came into their lives as a lost puppy fifteen years ago. She crossed over the Rainbow Bridge the night of Katrina. Her family was so heartbroken. They hoped I would heal their sadness and be a playmate for MacGyver.
I guess I hit the jackpot without really knowing. I could tell the mom really liked me. I let her get close enough to lick her hand and I think that sealed the deal!
The next day, she and my new dad came to pick me up.
When we got to Tulsa, MacGyver was waiting. I had my own food bowl and kennel with a soft pillow; and a new plaid collar, just like MacGyver’s. In addition, I had a new name. My dad liked the name “mulligan” because it means second chance.
At first, I was too frightened to do anything but stand still or run away. I spied some wonderful big bushes to hide under. I don’t like loud noises, or nighttime. Both really scare me. It took several days before I learned to feel safe in my new home.
Now, I go to Puppy Kindergarten and “Doggies Day Out.” I’m learning to sit, stay, wait, and heel. My Mom says I need to learn that there are more than two dogs and two humans on the planet earth. Besides, MacGyver needs his nap. I love playtime now. School is so-so. I’m not crazy about fetching. After all, do I look like a retriever? I don’t think so…
I guess I am one lucky dog. My mom and dad tell me all the time, “We don’t know who’s luckier, you or us.
For more information on Westie rescue, go to www.okwestierescue.com
