This is me -- Rosie -- at the start of 2008. Aren't I pretty! I'm almost back to normal after a terrible life last summer and fall. Want to know my story?

Here it is:
 

My beagle friend and I had an "ok" life until our people had a fight and the man moved out. The woman didn't want either of us and told us to leave. She opened the door and scooted us out! We didn't know how to find food, but we eventually figured out we could knock over trash cans and go to restaurant dumpsters, but we had to fight with the rats to get enough to eat. What really was hard was that we couldn't find water.

I forgot to mention that I had puppies. I don't know what happened to them, but I know what happened to my friend. He was hit by a car trying to cross a street looking for food. I stayed behind because I was too scared. He was my whole world, and now I was on my own.

A nice lady started calling to me and fed me outside her house. I liked her a lot. She called me Rosie! I didn't know that it was "my" word. I thought it was the word for food. She tried to catch me, but I just couldn't go to her, although I would get close. When you're on your own, you don't take risks. I was hungry all the time and became very itchy. I was miserable.

One day I smelled something really good, but it was in some strange thing where the nice lady usually left my food. I couldn't help it! I walked into the thing and heard the door close behind me. I was trapped!  Other nice people appeared, and soon I was lifted into a car and was taken to another place. It was a cold night and I was so happy to be warm! The place had bright lights and more nice people who let me out of the trap. I was too tired and hungry to worry, so I walked out and was given food for my bravery. They looked sad...they were looking at me.

I stayed for a while in a place that helps other animals. The people were very kind, but they keep giving me baths and small round things in food. I didn't like that, but I sure liked the regular meals. I ate everything, and I felt a lot better and stronger too! For some reason, I wasn't so itchy.

Then one day I went to a "PETCO" where there were lots of dogs held by nice people in green shirts. Was this the "show" I had heard about? People came up to me and said I was "sweet" and "getting pretty!" This is how I looked at my first show on December 1st:

Now I'm in a foster home. My foster mom says I am just the best girl. I never make a "mistake" in the house and I follow her everywhere. I adore her but understand that something called "my own home" is in my future. It would be nice to have my own person to love me.  Am I asking too much? I hope not.

For more information on Rosie, or any of the other wonderful DAWG dogs, please submit an online application. There is no obligation. Once your application is received, a DAWG volunteer will contact you.