Livie is a 5 year old Collie Shepherd that we think has some husky in her as well. She is the very best dog you could ever have. We first met a little over 3 years ago when I volunteered at the Humane Society in Houston. Her sweet angelic face captured my heart. I often think I should have named her angel, then she would have been Charlie's Angel! (ha ha) Anyway, she was the only dog in the big dog cages that did not bark, something was so special about her I just could not take my eyes off her. She would always be the first dog I would grab to walk on my weekend visits to the shelter.
Here comes the kicker as to when I came to the conclusion that I had to have her. Livie (or Shasta) at that time had I guess you could call a cell mate that she shared a cage with named Cassie. I enjoyed walking Cassie too so I would often take them out together and let them run in the pet cemetery, which was a fenced in area. This particular day was totally beautiful, the sun was beaming and the air was cool. I think it was the weekend after Easter. I let them both off their leashes and they took off running. About 10 feet away I saw this HUGE white rabbit under a small tree. I had a feeling that Cassie was going to chase that rabbit and from the size of the rabbit he was not going to be able to get away fast enough and I was right. Sure enough within seconds the back of the rabbits neck was in Cassie's mouth. I screamed and cried as I tried to open the dogs jaws of steal but they seemed to get tighter, challenging me. Livie stood to the rear of the dog watching in bewilderment. I tried everything to release the dogs grip on this poor rabbit that was losing her life right before me, screeching pathetically and looking at me with terror in her eyes. Desperately, I laid down on Cassie and put my entire body weight on her but still nothing. As I got up still balling my eyes out, I noticed Livie had still not moved from the back of this dog and was still seated watching all the fuss. I turned my head and then all of a sudden Livie jumped from behind at Cassie for a split second, nipping at both of her sides with vicious barks as if she had just figured out what was going on and was trying to help me. NO! IM NOT CRAZY!! I swear to you she did that, I could not believe it either!! I stood in disbelief over what Livie had just done and then the rabbit finally went limp in Cassie's mouth. She instantly dropped her kill. I was so disgusted with myself for not saving the rabbit. A similar event had happened to me the week before with another dog and a goose but I had managed to get the goose's neck out of the jaws of that dog. Angrily I jerked Cassie's leash off the ground and put it on her...I did not want to see this dogs face anymore! As I walked her to the gate Livie, who was unleashed still, walked perfectly abreast Cassie with her eyes full of worry. She brushed Cassie's cheek with her own several times, it was like an unspoken language was transpiring right in front of me! I knew Livie was special...full of compassion was all I could see. When I came back from the kennel to get Livie she was patiently waiting for me at the gate, seated the way she had sat as I was balling my eyes out over the rabbit and trying to save its life. After that episode, I knew I had to have her...I went up to the front desk that same day and filled out and adoption application. I also knew that she was too big for the apartment that I currently lived in but I did not care, she had spoken to me that day without saying a word and I had to have her.
The next day I was told that she was heartworm positive. For half a second I thought about the financial responsibility that I may be taking on and asked what would happen to her if I did not take her. I was told that because she was so large (40lbs) they would have to put her to sleep cause she is too expensive to treat. That did it! There was no way they were going to kill this precious animal! I decided whatever it took, I had to save her. The Humane Society was nice enough to give me a discounted treatment for the heartworms because I had volunteered so long at the shelter. I came up with Livie as her new name because I wanted something to do with life, cause she may have lost hers had she not crossed my path and also I was sure my life was going to be enriched with her in it! After the treatment shot I kept her on the monthly heartguard medication. I always feared a second worm test for fear that she still may be positive and was finally forced into one just a few months ago by the vet....and guess what!? The test was negative!!!! Together we have beat the odds!! The greatest gift for me is knowing that I have made a difference in her life, it is such a wonderful feeling. I have always dreamed of saving a life and feel so blessed that I was given the opportunity with my sweet dog!
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