I have to share an update concerning what happened with the stray dog that showed up at our home last Fall, that we named Scraps. First of all, I have to show you again what he looked like when we first met him:
I’ve told y’all before that he found a new home, but I never did solve the mystery that you may have wondered about. Our friend, Shannon, who just so happens to be the stylist who arranged our magazine shoot, was the person who adopted Scraps, paid for all of his enormous vet bills, then flew him home to Portland.
Can you imagine?!?
Anyway, we were thrilled beyond measure that Shannon fell in love with Scraps, a dog who someone abandoned like a piece of trash and who most people would have thought was beyond hope. When I think of him now, I always get a lump in my throat knowing that he has a life now that is a world apart from what he had before he entered our lives. I’m sure he knows that he’s one incredibly lucky dog.
Here are a few photos of him that Shannon said I could share with you. Oh, and one last thing: Shannon and her family renamed Scraps — he’s now called Eastwood.
Shannon’s son was briefly pulled out of school to meet Scraps for the very first time
Scraps shortly after arriving at his new home in Portland
Shannon and Scraps, now named Eastwood
a deliriously happy dog
Eastwood’s first Christmas
Oh, and I’m cutting and pasting the latest report that I received from Shannon:
He went through four months of heartworm treatment, and recovered 100%. Then he got neutered, wasn’t too happy about wearing the cone of shame, but he managed. He weighs 65 lbs. is so healthy and happy. He talks to us all the time, and is so smart!
His favorite things to do:
- Walks in the park. When we get ready to go, he puts his harness on practically all by himself!
- Belly rubs and scratches behind the ears
- Running free at the beach
- Getting treats from the mailman
Being a country boy he doesn’t realize certain city life styles like:
1. At the gas station, the gas attendant always has doggy treats. He’s just not interested (in Oregon, it’s against the law to pump your own gas)
2. Dog parks are also for play time, rather than peeing and marking a ca-trillion times!
3. There are a lot of streets and cars. Wandering, not so popular.
4. He could care less about all the ducks and squirrels as they walk by him in the park.
Some things, he is still working on:
1. Cameras are not guns
2. Car rides don’t mean that he is never coming back
3. Waffles don’t last long when buried in the dirt
taking a break at the beach
I’m so happy that Scraps found his forever home with Shannon and her family! I bet he thinks he died and found paradise.
Send that magazine lady my way! I don’t have a doggie she can have but I’ve got a great windmill she could shoot!!!
What a great story! Who doesn’t love an animal story? Animals definitely complete a family.
If you want to hear my animal story look here: http://www.justlikegrammashouse.com/critters/cats/little-squirt/
It is the journey of a cat, not a dog as in your case. My husband teared up when reading it.
Thank you for sharing.
Ohmygosh this warms my heart like nothing else! Thank you for sharing, and thank you Shannon, for the love you gave to Eastwood. He’s such a handsome man!
Pretty sure I love Shannon and her family!!!
Good or evil starts with one person , my peeps.
What a wonderful ending to a sad beginning! I’m so glad Scraps (Eastwood) found a furever home. He’s an older fella and that’s not always the outcome for those guys. He looks so loved and IN love!
Yes, indeed it is. Concerning his age, we first thought he was an older dog, too, but the vet said that some dogs just have grey due to their breed and after looking at Scraps’ teeth, he estimated that Scraps is about 3-5 years old.
Thank you so much for sharing!!!! What a wonderful ending to a horribly beginning. He is so handsome, and they are all so very blessed to have found each other.
Wendy
So glad to see this happy ending for all of you! God bless!
I teared up reading this! What a wonderful ending for Eastwood/Scraps!.We have had almost exclusively rescue dogs and they make the best companions that anyone could wish for. You made my week by sharing his story!
Thanks so much to Shannon for rescuing Eastwood and making such an incredible difference in his life. Hopefully this story will inspire others to adopt instead of buying a puppy”. We have two rescued dogs in our home and I think they make the best pets. They are so thankful to be in a loving safe environment.
Thanks for the update, why oh why do people dessert these lovable animals, Scraps (Eastwood) certainly reflects the love he is receiving. And I didn’t know you couldn’t pump your own gas in Oregan – what a great trivia question.
So glad you updated “Scraps'” new lifestyle for us! Should I ask why the name change to “Eastwood”?…
Maybe in honor of “Clint”? He just doesn’t appear to be a “Make my day” dog! LOL,LOL
He’s a beautiful animal that made it “lucky” . We had two of those, our very first schnauzer, Pepper, who was a wonderful animal and could have been a show animal, but we never had her cropped, so she had the floppy ears and the long tail when it wasn’t popular in the dog shows, plus the fact, we just were looking at a wonderful , happy, family, addition…who was so very grateful to have been rescued from the life she was close to having as a 2-3 month old “dumped” puppy. She was a wonderful asset to our family for about 14 years.
Such a wonderful story! We have 5 rescue dogs and they bring me and my family such joy!! Love absolutely unconditional!
Really great to see his ongoing improvement! Wishing you all the best.
Thanks for sharing, Kim. You and Shannon are both so wonderful for saving Scraps! He looks so happy and so sweet.