I think I made a small difference

[UpInArms]

I adopted a dog in May … he was a pandemic puppy … and his people were overwhelmed by him … he is a Aussie … and has SO much energy … he was living in a city with no yard, no exercise and no training …

When I brought him home, he was aggressive and bit me 4 times … I almost gave up on him … but we are long past that now … he weighed 70+ pounds when we got him … he is a well-toned 60+ now … has 2 one mile walks every day, and lots of play time in our “park.” We live on 12 acres … so he has plenty of space to be a dog … as well as a sheltie sister … they LOVE each other.

Anyway … I agreed to keep them updated on Clifford (the giant dog) and have regularly sent them video and pictures …

I had also told them they could come visit him … it was obvious they loved him, he just got big and scared them …

So, a couple weeks ago … she asked if they could come and I offered to put them up … and then … I woke up the next day and remembered … COVID ….

So, I texted her and said they could only come and be on our property if they were vaccinated …

Then …

Radio silence …. And I was sad … sad that politics had clouded everyone’s ability to care for anyone else …

And, then … tonight … I got a text … telling me that she had a family member die from Covid … and she had been hospitalized in March with Covid … and was fully vaxxed. Hubby (who was on the fence) is now going to get vaxxed, as well as the 16 year old daughter … so they can come see Cliff … and she told me thank you.

[c-rational]

1. I think so too.

[Skittles]

2. it feels good, doesn't it?

I badgered an at-risk coworker to get vaccinated and she finally did - and because she did, three members of her family did too

and kudos to you for adopting a "pandemic puppy"

[Ziggysmom]

26. I work with an anti vaxxer. She believes strongly the vaccine causes sterility and that The Red

Cross won't take blood donations from vaccinated people. I've tried presenting logic and science with no luck. Now I just completely avoid her.

[Skittles]

31. I know one of those too

Trump humper

[alphafemale]

3. Thank you for saving that poor dog.

And being kind to the family who did not know what they were getting into.

He must have been absolutely stir crazy.

A smaller low energy dog would have been better suited for that life.

Or a cat.

[wnylib]

32. Too many people adopt a dog or cat

without being prepared on what to expect.

[Diamond_Dog]

4. What a great story. - nt

[luv2fly]

5. How awesome

For all involved. Thanks for making me smile.

[stillcool]

6. I'm sure you did...

just by writing this post. It's a rarity, and always helpful to be reminded of a human act of kindness.

[MustLoveBeagles]

7. You and Clifford are lucky to have each other

[TexasBushwhacker]

8. We need pix!

[UpInArms]

13. Here is a Clifford and Zena pic

[ShazzieB]

15. Awww, they look so happy together! That's really sweet!

🐶 + 🐶 = 💖

[spooky3]

20. + a bazillion nt

[MustLoveBeagles]

16. They're beautiful

Thanks for the pic

[Rhiannon12866]

18. Awwww! What a beautiful pair of pups!

Thank you so much for your (and his) inspiring story. And thanks for not giving up on him, I adopted my dogs from rescue, too.

[Fla Dem]

28. Beautiful and handsome dogs. You're very lucky.

Also beautiful acreage.

[UpInArms]

30. They are so sweet

and so good together … they have more energy than you can imagine … am so happy they have each other to chase and play tag and herd …

Sometimes just watching them exhausts me 😂

and … I love our view from the porch … actually from every direction … we are in the middle of nowhere and I have come to understand that there are no neighbors like no neighbors

Close enough that you can see the houses … far enough that you can’t hear them

[BigmanPigman]

29. I see two very happy dogs.

[fierywoman]

35. Look at those doggie smiles! Happy, happy beautiful dogs.

[3catwoman3]

9. No "think" about it - you absolutely made a difference.

Well done!

[halfulglas]

10. I smiled when I read this!!

You made a difference for that family by sticking by your "mandate" for vaccination, to keep everybody safe. But you also made a difference for our Clifford. An Aussie needs space and now he's free to be him.

[Chautauquas]

11. You made a big difference

A big difference in the life of the dog and the people you got it from. I applaud your efforts and commitment.

[niyad]

12. No, you did not make a small difference. You made a HUGE one. Thank you for

saving Clifford, aandthank you for being a caring and compassionate person.

[blm]

14. 💐💐💐

[FakeNoose]

17. When you get a chance, post a photo of Clifford on DU

Pretty please?

EDIT: Never mind, I see you just did post a pic a little while ago.

Thanks for sharing this great story!

[spooky3]

19. Wonderful! Thank you. nt

[Raine]

21. I'm so glad you never gave up on that sweet dog ♥️

now you have a new family member in Clifford and maybe can be friends with his first family ... good for you!

[canetoad]

22. Beautiful dogs

Does he happened to be named after CliffordDU?

[UpInArms]

25. I wish ... but

We can always think of him (CliffordDU) now when talking with Cliffie

[erronis]

23. "I woke up the next day and remembered ... COVID .... " - that's my place also

I live in one of the most heavily vaccinated states (VT) and pretty rural. I let my guard down a bit except when going to stores where out-of-staters may be shopping.

Still, I realize that chance meetings on trails or sidewalks aren't always completely safe.

In some ways it's easier to be constantly vigilant, or perhaps totally oblivious/uncaring like the rumpists.

[IbogaProject]

24. awe

Well I'll accept any late comers to getting vaccinated for any reason.

[Fla Dem]

27. Wonderful story. Thank you

[hamsterjill]

33. I'm so glad Clifford has you!

Yes, you’ve definitely made a difference - on many levels.

[Permanut]

34. You made a huge difference..

We adopted a 12 year old shelter dog several months ago, don't know if COVID was a factor in his being there. The records are kind of sketchy. He seems to have maybe chihuahua and dachshund in there and I don't know what else, but we were delighted to get him. Little Jake is helping me type this.

Good on ya for being an angel for Clifford.

[grantcart]

36. Cliffordu would have loved this.

[SheltieLover]

37. You made a huge difference!

Ty for helping this pupper.

And you might well have saved 3 human lives along the way!