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Omaha Steve

(98,872 posts)
Sun May 29, 2016, 10:00 PM May 2016

When we adopted him, he had no place to stay that night


The story begins when I got an email from a friend. She sends all her friends photos of animals that need to be adopted from the local rescue groups. I showed it to Marta.



We weren't looking for a dog at the time. But something about the look on his face got our attention. We phoned the Homeward Bound in the Heartland rescue group: http://homewardboundintheheartland.info/

They told us Dug was left behind when his owners moved out. No food or water. IF the landlord had not checked the property and found Dug,...

Now we were paying attention. They went on to say he had been adopted but didn't get along with their young son. We wondered if his previous home had a child that might have been abusive. We didn't have any kids so no problem.

They then said he was being returned that afternoon. The foster homes were all full up. She couldn't keep him at her place because Dug didn't get along with her dog. We went to look him over. That was June 10, 2010. The rest is history. He has a loving forever home.

He didn't know what jealousy was when he got here. He learned very fast as he watched our other dogs with us. He spends most of his time evenly between both of us.

The reason I'm posting is the photo at the bottom from today.

After just a day or two with us. Like me, he has put on a few pounds since then.


He has no problem getting along with our granddaughter. He sneaks her a kiss as she watches TV in 3D glasses.


All three of our dogs are kissers. All three are rescues. Sweetie's story is here: http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=132x3581271
Sweetie.


Dug asleep on my lap in my recliner.


Sharing my lap with Luka a few weeks ago. They are both on my lap as I write this. Luka is under his blanket. Dug rolled over for a chest rub.


Luka before age put a lot of white hair on his face. We almost lost him 2 weeks ago. The vet did an emergency procedure and he is fine today. Named after a young abused boy that lived on the second floor.


It is a good day when my dementia let's me write like the old days from time to time. I miss it when I can't

Today I went to the BIG 10 baseball tournament final. Marta sent me this picture of him waiting for me to come home.

OS


57 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
When we adopted him, he had no place to stay that night (Original Post) Omaha Steve May 2016 OP
sweet. nt WhiteTara May 2016 #1
Sweetie looks almost exactly like our girl, Lyric ms liberty May 2016 #2
Yes, Sweetie does love to burrow under the blankets... martalcd May 2016 #8
I don't know you, of course, but I really loved reading about your dogs and family here! bjo59 May 2016 #3
Sweet animals Scarsdale May 2016 #25
Whoops Scarsdale May 2016 #26
Spectacular! MerryBlooms May 2016 #4
Aww, nice story Omaha Steve arikara May 2016 #5
K&R! What a little cutie and thank you for sharing his story! Rhiannon12866 May 2016 #6
A good day, indeed. Thanks for sharing, OS! villager May 2016 #7
Very cool Steve-he looks like he has some Jack Russell in him. jalan48 May 2016 #9
All we really know he is a terrier mix Omaha Steve May 2016 #42
OH Steve blondie58 May 2016 #10
They are all so lucky to have found you and Marta. Land of Enchantment May 2016 #11
What a doll. SusanCalvin May 2016 #12
I love this story. Thank you for it. rusty quoin May 2016 #13
Thank you, OS! tom_kelly May 2016 #14
Here he is Omaha Steve May 2016 #17
Logged in just to rec this. flvegan May 2016 #15
My animal rights friend Omaha Steve May 2016 #44
Better every day, brother. flvegan Jun 2016 #46
Still kicking Omaha Steve Jun 2016 #47
Squeeeeeeeeeeeee shenmue May 2016 #16
OS, you make my heart happy! Enthusiast May 2016 #18
You're making me cry, Omaha Steve. OnyxCollie May 2016 #19
This is my favorite post of the week. Thank you so much for sharing all this beauty and humanity, JudyM May 2016 #20
scratches all around -- and love and hugs oldandhappy May 2016 #21
Thanks OS mahina May 2016 #22
Wonderfully kind madokie May 2016 #23
Dogs are good people, baldguy May 2016 #24
What a cutie-pie! And that pic of annabanana May 2016 #27
Omaha Steve malaise May 2016 #28
Great post Steve. rhett o rick May 2016 #29
Steve, a lot has been said Iwillnevergiveup May 2016 #30
Adorable. So happy you rescued Dug. I too have rescue dogs. OregonBlue May 2016 #31
Marta picked out Luka, he was our first rat terrier Omaha Steve Jun 2016 #48
I never thought I'd be one of those old ladies with a little dog but these dogs have just captured OregonBlue Jun 2016 #52
What great looking doggies! nt valerief May 2016 #32
Awww! Lovely story! Sweet doggies! smirkymonkey May 2016 #33
What a wonderful transition! Francis Booth May 2016 #34
Dug sure got lucky! dooner May 2016 #35
Your story made my day. Lucky dogs, lucky humans. Vinca May 2016 #36
Love this notawinger May 2016 #37
What a wonderful story and what a wonderful guy...you are! zwyziec May 2016 #38
I love stories like this! Duval May 2016 #39
Omaha Steve Diclotican May 2016 #40
They say you call tell a lot about a man...by the company he keeps. FailureToCommunicate May 2016 #41
What a sweetie pie! redstatebluegirl May 2016 #43
Dug is so lucky to have found his way to you! Rescue animals here! Dont call me Shirley May 2016 #45
you're such a lovely person renate Jun 2016 #49
Awww. myrna minx Jun 2016 #50
he is beautiful hollysmom Jun 2016 #51
Post removed Post removed Oct 2016 #53
Sweet, sweet Dug. May he rest in peace before chasing rabbits and eating treats from the hands of angels! MLAA Nov 2023 #54
Beautiful story of his life and adoptive home family, Steve. JudyM Nov 2023 #55
Full condolences Picaro Nov 2023 #56
So sorry to hear your story about Dug. 1WorldHope Nov 2023 #57

ms liberty

(8,438 posts)
2. Sweetie looks almost exactly like our girl, Lyric
Sun May 29, 2016, 10:12 PM
May 2016

All of her spots are a brindle rather than black as Sweetie's look to be. Does she like to burrow under the covers or blankets? Lyric does! I've always had poodles and German shepherds, and they don't, so it's a new one for me!

martalcd

(42 posts)
8. Yes, Sweetie does love to burrow under the blankets...
Sun May 29, 2016, 10:21 PM
May 2016

as does Luka. Everyone I've ever talked to that had rat terriers, says the same thing. They like to burrow.

Scarsdale

(9,426 posts)
25. Sweet animals
Mon May 30, 2016, 11:04 AM
May 2016

Love to read happy stories, where the abused animals find GODD forever families and learn what love really is.

arikara

(5,562 posts)
5. Aww, nice story Omaha Steve
Sun May 29, 2016, 10:14 PM
May 2016

Dug looks like a different dog in the time between the top photo and the second one.

Thanks for sharing.

Rhiannon12866

(202,184 posts)
6. K&R! What a little cutie and thank you for sharing his story!
Sun May 29, 2016, 10:15 PM
May 2016

Though I have to admit I am pretty choked up after reading it, poor confused little pup.

Both of my my guys are rescue as well, over the years I have adopted the older ones, have always felt they needed me the most, and I have never been disappointed. Thank you for all you do...

blondie58

(2,570 posts)
10. OH Steve
Sun May 29, 2016, 10:49 PM
May 2016

You tell a great story! I am so glad you found him. Sounds like you are meant to be together.


Karma will catch up to his previous owners. I just hope it doesn't take too long! 😼

SusanCalvin

(6,592 posts)
12. What a doll.
Sun May 29, 2016, 10:59 PM
May 2016

Every living, feeling thing should have a place to be.

https://www.goodreads.com/work/quotes/2887127-double-star

This does not include my quote, from the last page. They have feelings. They can hurt.

tom_kelly

(946 posts)
14. Thank you, OS!
Sun May 29, 2016, 11:29 PM
May 2016

Dug looks so much better since he got to his furever home with you two.

I took in a stray cat a few years back and named him Peeps. There was a large population of strays in the complex and Peeps was the ruler. I didn't know this as I hadn't been there that long. I had him fixed and kept him in for about a month. After that he was in and out through his kitty door. He still got into fights but he was getting less muscular since getting fixed and began to loose those fights. Didn't take long for Peeps to become more peaceful, and lazy. He got too fat to fit through his door and one day I found him running through the parking lot with the kitty door stuck around his mid-section. Diet cat food saved him from that embarrassment again

One of the endearing traits Peeps has is that he always meows whenever someone says hello to him - just one meow, like a "what's up"?

Two months ago I moved to the east coast of FL. I decided to leave Peeps with my buddy Glenn who lives on the other side of the complex until I was settled. He has kept me apprised of Peeps' welfare and it seems he is more happy and active than ever! There is a dog across the way who is his new best friend and daily play-mate, and all the neighbors love saying hello to him. He meows back to them, of course, and they think he's a hoot.

At this point I'm not sure what to do. Cats are so republicanesque when it comes to change. Would he rather be in his familiar environment? I miss him terribly. Glenn would like to keep him too! The good thing is that I'm not pressured into making a decision.

I don't know how to paste a picture of Peeps here.

JudyM

(29,105 posts)
20. This is my favorite post of the week. Thank you so much for sharing all this beauty and humanity,
Mon May 30, 2016, 12:14 AM
May 2016

Omaha Steve.

madokie

(51,076 posts)
23. Wonderfully kind
Mon May 30, 2016, 03:51 AM
May 2016

is how I would describe the family of yours Steve
Family means all the critters included



Have a wonderful Memorial day today

Iwillnevergiveup

(9,298 posts)
30. Steve, a lot has been said
Mon May 30, 2016, 12:20 PM
May 2016

about "carbon footprints." We're admonished to leave them as minimally as possible, right?
Well, you and Marta over the years, with your devotion to needy critters (including wildlife) have left huuuge "humanitarian footprints." It's been an honor and a pleasure to read about them over the years - cyber hugs for both of you.

OregonBlue

(7,743 posts)
31. Adorable. So happy you rescued Dug. I too have rescue dogs.
Mon May 30, 2016, 01:37 PM
May 2016

Got 2 toy rat terriers who we fostered at 6 weeks and of course ended up adopting. They had been abused at that early age but have grown into two of the sweetest dogs imaginable. We loved them so much we got another rat terrier for our grandkids so now we have a pack. Cheers for you and for Dug.

Omaha Steve

(98,872 posts)
48. Marta picked out Luka, he was our first rat terrier
Thu Jun 2, 2016, 03:54 PM
Jun 2016

I really wanted a bigger dog. I didn't think much of him on the way home. I think it was just two days later Marta caught me calling him my pride and joy.

OregonBlue

(7,743 posts)
52. I never thought I'd be one of those old ladies with a little dog but these dogs have just captured
Thu Jun 9, 2016, 06:16 PM
Jun 2016

our hearts. They have just amazing personalities and are hilarious. Keep me and hubby in stitches all the time. My son is going to get a female and we are going to have some puppies. All of our friends and neighbors now want ratties!!!

Francis Booth

(162 posts)
34. What a wonderful transition!
Mon May 30, 2016, 02:44 PM
May 2016

From fearful and nervous to happy and confident. What a beautiful smile.

Huge dog lover here.

dooner

(1,217 posts)
35. Dug sure got lucky!
Mon May 30, 2016, 03:27 PM
May 2016

He obviously couldn't have found a better home for himself. And looks like you got a pretty
sweet dog out of the deal too.

zwyziec

(173 posts)
38. What a wonderful story and what a wonderful guy...you are!
Mon May 30, 2016, 05:32 PM
May 2016

Dog lovers are special people. Like you! Many thanks for sharing this.

Diclotican

(5,095 posts)
40. Omaha Steve
Mon May 30, 2016, 06:18 PM
May 2016

Omaha Steve

You are just a great man, who care. Thank you for your care for others What a great dog he is, and how great he is who came to your home.

Diclotican

renate

(13,776 posts)
49. you're such a lovely person
Thu Jun 2, 2016, 04:40 PM
Jun 2016

I mean it as a real compliment when I say that if dogs had a committee to decide these things, you and Marta would be made honorary dogs.

Response to Omaha Steve (Original post)

MLAA

(17,115 posts)
54. Sweet, sweet Dug. May he rest in peace before chasing rabbits and eating treats from the hands of angels!
Thu Nov 9, 2023, 09:49 PM
Nov 2023

Picaro

(1,477 posts)
56. Full condolences
Fri Nov 10, 2023, 05:13 PM
Nov 2023

I've lost a lot of dogs over the years. The pain is almost unbearable.

You have my utmost sympathy. Dug looks like a wonderful dog.

I'm so sorry.

1WorldHope

(671 posts)
57. So sorry to hear your story about Dug.
Fri Nov 10, 2023, 06:02 PM
Nov 2023

I am in love with the original Dug. My granddaughter introduced me to Up and the Dug Days cartoons just last year. What a sweet name to pick for your puppy. I'm sorry for your loss, and I imagine that you will still open yourselves to more future losses by saving more pups. What else can can anyone do?

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