Skittish Dog Rescued From Abuse Becomes Well-Adjusted, Clothes-Loving Pooch

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I saw a posting about a tiny five-pound underweight and abused rescue pup. He was some sort of Chihuahua mix, with huge ears and big scared eyes. Despite his absolute terror of me when I first picked him up, I slowly earned his trust with hamburgers and fries on the drive from Chattanooga to Nashville.

He quickly became my constant companion. Where I went, he went, too. Simon was an old man in a dog body. Full of hilarious quirks, fearless of all other dogs, patient and zen. He would grab my arm and guide it to his chest with his paw when he wanted to be pet. He loved being kissed on his nose.

He also loved to wear clothing and would beg me to put hoodies on him and then prance about knowing he was pretty. And he lived for food. Nothing made him thrill more than a piece of cheese. I swear he understood every word I said. Loyal and loving, he was my best friend, a once in a lifetime dog.

He came with me when I moved to Los Angeles, where he adapted brilliantly to being a city dog. He met and approved of my now-husband (the only boyfriend he ever liked).

I think I was in denial that dogs live shorter lives than humans, and it came as a shock when he was diagnosed with congestive heart failure at 13-years-old. He rallied and made it another two years to the day before succumbing. Losing him has been a heartache like I’ve never known before. I realize 15 years is a long life for an abused little farm dog from Tennessee, but I would have taken 15 more and it still would not have been long enough.

I love you Simon. I hope that you are out there amongst the stars, eating cheese and being loved by those you meet. I miss you every day and remain so grateful for the time that I got to call you mine.

Story submitted by an anonymous user from Los Angeles, California.

This story was originally shared on The Animal Rescue Site. Share your very own rescue story here!