AND THE WOOFIE FOR MATCHMAKING GOES TO... - by Tom Bayer
Neighbors and dog-owners at the Dog Park invariably ask if they are sisters. But they are not . . they are part of the magic generated by an enthusiastic DALMATIAN RESCUE OF NORTH TEXAS. Bali, seen in front, came to us as one frightened, clearly abused 2-year old. Overweight and very mistrustful of people, she was introduced to us as a girl who probably needed to be the only canine in the family. She was joining a family that had loved three Dalmatians before, and had waited a number of months before thinking about allowing another Dal into its still aching heart.
Bali captured our hearts as we worked diligently to shower her with love and the comforts of a proper home. But there were times we felt she might be bored with two ole fuddy-duddies. Eventually, we began to think about getting a second Dal to be her playmate. We didn't think we were 100% serious . . . just wondering about the possibility. Would Bali be jealous? Would they fight? Would they be more than we could handle together?
We decided to go one step further and see if a good match was available. It was just before the 2003 Cinco de Mayo celebration that we spotted an adorable Dal on the DALMATIAN RESCUE Web Site. Knowing that the group had a booth at the local Cinco de Mayo festivities, we all went to the Farmer's Market in search of the booth and hopefully a chance to adopt the precious Dal. But we were too late. A family had already adopted the little girl. Bali didn't know what she had missed . . she was all too happy to leave the raucous festivities and crowded celebration.
A few weeks later, our phone rang with news of another possibility. Somewhat wary, we arranged for everyone, including Bali, to meet at a nearby park the following Saturday. Our hearts sank when we saw the scrawny, saggy girl who had recently had what appeared to be one of many litters. How could this work? We could see her ribs . . she looked awful. But her sweetness quickly became apparent. Her condition would need to be countered with great amounts of love and compassion. We decided to take a gamble, reserving the right to bring her back after a week or so.
With much reassurance to Bali that we loved her just as much as before and that she, too, could accept the new girl we named Liberty, the two girls began the bonding process. The picture tells it all. They are inseparable. Bali and Liberty do everything together. Their habits seem carefully synchronized. Each sleeps in her own crate, but, together, they greet each day with unbridled enthusiasm for each other and for the new day. Life is good.
Bali has her girlish figure back, thanks to having a buddy to run with. And Liberty has lost her scraggly look. They are a beautiful example of the love and care that emanates from DALMATIAN RESCUE OF NORTH TEXAS. And together, they have enriched our lives far beyond what we could have expected.
Kudos and thanks to Ann Rutledge, and to others who may have been involved in the rescue of both Bali and Liberty . .. and of countless other Dals whose forever homes have been arranged by the angels at DALMATIAN RESCUE.
