Abby

My name is Abby. I am a five year old Cocker Spaniel. A year and a a half ago I was rescued by NMDR from a puppy mill in Missouri where I spent almost all my time in a cage having puppies. My new family adopted me shortly after I was rescued.

I was really scared of everything when I first got to my new home. All I wanted to do was run and hide behind the couch. The kitchen really scared me with the cupboard doors slamming and all the other activity. My new family put me on a leash in the house for a few days and took me everywhere in the house with them so I could get use to things.

Even though I was scared at first, from the beginning I was a great sleeper. It helped that Scarlett, my family’s wonderful German Shepherd, was there to make me feel welcome and safe. My new family found out I can really snore – I guess I make all sorts of strange sounds while I’m sleeping!

There were so many things I didn’t know about being a regular dog – like wagging my tail. I don’t think I’d ever wagged my tail before. It took about two weeks at my new home until one day while I was learning to play with squeaky toys I felt my tail wiggle. My new family was so happy and I realized that I was happy too! I wag my tail a lot now, especially in the morning when Scarlett I wake and put our front paws up on the bed to get scratched behind the ears.

I learned to love playing with my squeaky toys and I like to take them all out in the back yard and put them in a pile. I also learned how much fun it is to steal socks. I like to hide them behind the couch in the living room.

I loved taking walks on a leash from the first day I arrived at my new home. It was so nice to be out in the fresh air and sunshine. Now I go for a nice long walk every day. Scarlett goes too, but she doesn’t need a leash.

It’s amazing how far I’ve come. I pretty much think I’m the greatest now. I sure make my new family smile and laugh a lot. They tell me I’ve brought a lot of joy into their lives. What more could I ask for!