Who’s that girl? Willow!
August 8, 2025, is the official “adoptionversary” to be celebrated by me and my new girl, Willow! She is a mostly pittie-mix (with a dash of chow, boxer, and miscellaneous-DNA-too-small-to-measure) who was picked up as a stray in Houston, Texas, at around five months old. She went into foster care in Houston, and then transferred to Colorado (it’s much easier for dogs to find homes here — we are big, big fans of dogs in this state), where she was spayed and again lived in foster care as part of the Evergreen Animal Protective League until she and I connected via Petfinder.
And Willow is a LOVE. She thinks every new person she meets is the best ever. She thinks every single dog is amazing (to the point that she sometimes loses her mind with excitement — we’re working on that - lol). She is a smartie. And not only is she ready for adventure, but she loves to crash out on your lap for a good snooze when the time comes. Snuggles and cuddles are her jam. I’m in love.
Huge thanks to every foster, every organization, every single action that helped my new girl, and so many other wonderful dogs get a chance at life with a loving family. Please adopt from your local shelter or rescue!
Edit to add to the above: On August 8, 2026, while celebrating the first anniversary of my adoption of Willow, I learned something that nearly broke my heart. The wonderful woman who fostered Willow in Houston told me Willow “almost didn’t make it out of Texas.” Apparently, Willow had been picked up and was in the observation area of the shelter (so, not on public display yet), and after only a few days, Willow was placed on the euthanasia list. (!!) Because of space limitations in Texas, and low adoption rates, (and perhaps a population that doesn’t spay/neuter their animals at a high rate?), dogs have very little chance for a happy ending. A behind the scenes volunteer at Willow’s shelter met her, and posted a video of her on social media. Willow’s Texas-foster mom saw the video and said she’d foster her. So, she truly SAVED Willow’s life. I’ve been thinking about how many things had to go right for Willow to get her safe — the volunteer posting the video, her Texas foster mom raising her hand, the Evergreen Animal Protective League offering to bring her to Colorado with another foster mom in the waiting, and then me. She is so lucky! But sadly, so many other dogs are not. And that crushes me.
PLEASE please please bring home your next furry family member, and every one after that, from a shelter or rescue. If you’re heart is set on a particular breed, there a breed rescues that would love to talk to you. If you’re worried dogs from shelters, mixed-breed or otherwise, are somehow flawed, please be open to learning more. Willow is the seventh dog I’ve adopted, and every single one have been amazing, sweet, wonderful beings that love with their whole heart.