Walter's Story: Pet Adoption Joy
- Thomas Smugala
- Sep 15
- 3 min read
Updated: Sep 20
There are several ways to adopt a dog. One can visit local shelters or rescues for adoptable dogs, seen as rewarding and life-saving. Others prefer to go with purebreds from reputable breeders to ensure the greater health of the pet. This story is about a dog named Walter, who had a very bad puppyhood, ended up unwanted, and was dumped on the side of the road. But thanks to the efforts of a pet adoption center, Walter had a wonderful life.
Walter the dog.
Walter, a scruffy pointer mix with soulful, light-brown eyes, sat nervously caged with five other hounds at a pet rescue center. His past was a blur of cold, loneliness, and an empty stomach. After his heartless monster of an owner dumped tiny Walter on the side of the road—and they call dogs dirty, the dirty dog who dumped these pups was the dirtiest dirty dog of them all. Walter and his four siblings were picked up by a kind soul a few days later, taken to a rescue center, where the pups were brought back to good health. One by one, all of Walter's brothers and sisters were adopted, but Walter was very fearful and standoffish—many families saw this as not the personality of an ideal pet, and so time passed, and Walter sat in a cage.
One day, hope flickered when the Smiths began their search for a family pet at the pet rescue center. A family of four—parents Jane and Mark, and their kids, Tommy and Delores—saw Walter cowering in the corner of the cage, but the Smiths fell in love with Walter instantly. They adopted him that day, giving him a cozy bed and endless treats.
Over the years, his muzzle grayed, but his eyes stayed bright. Walter lived to 15...
Ciapka, talks about dog-dumping dirty-dogs.
At home, Walter thrived at the Smiths' rural home. The Smiths showered him with affection, taking him on walks through the park where he chased squirrels and rolled in grass. Tommy played fetch with him, while Delores taught him tricks like “roll over.” Walter’s days were filled with belly rubs, squeaky toys, and warm laps. He felt safe, loved, and part of a pack, and soon Walter's fear and horrific experiences of his past became just that—the past. Walter became a confident and loving family member.
One sunny afternoon at the dog park, Walter met Daisy, a spirited hound with a penchant for stealing tennis balls. Their playful romps turned into a bond. The Smiths, amused by their chemistry, arranged “doggy dates.” In a whimsical backyard ceremony, Walter and Daisy “got married,” complete with a tiny bow tie for Walter and a white dress for Daisy.
In a whimsical backyard ceremony, Walter and Daisy “got married...
Walter and Daisy shared a joyful life, napping together in sunlit patches and guarding the Smiths’ home. The family cherished Walter’s gentle spirit, and he returned their love tenfold. Over the years, his muzzle grayed, but his eyes stayed bright. Walter lived to 15, passing peacefully surrounded by his family. His legacy of love endured, a testament to the magic of second chances.
How you find a pet is up to you and your research. Getting a pet from a good breeder can be very expensive, and getting a pet from an adoption center is not cheap. Pet adoption centers do their best to ensure the right dog is paired with the right owner. Somewhere out there, your Walter is waiting. Good luck.
HERE ARE SOME LOCAL ADOPTION CENTERS
Cape Girardeau Humane Society
Farmington Rescue Friends
St. Genevieve Animal Control
Festus Animal Control
Get Out There! Create something. Learn something new. Jump from a plane. Start a business. Do something. Do anything. What one person can do, another can do. That sunken sofa will be fine without you.
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