Sam's Story – Puppy Farm to Real Home

I was living at a puppy farm where I was born. I can’t remember my mummy as I was taken from her very early. Then the men there found that I was very small for my breed (I am a Shih Tzu) and had a bent front leg, so I was separated from all the other puppies and they said I was no good for breeding. One day, along came a van from some kennels and they took me and some other puppies away to their kennels. I was so pleased, but I still remember those days and I still have nightmares and wake up screaming.
The kennels looked after me and one day a lady and a man came to look at all the other dogs (there were lots of them, all different breeds and sizes), I had just had a bath – I hate that, and was being dried when I was put into the lady’s arms. I was so scared at what was going to happen that I tried to run off, but there was nowhere I could run to. They caught me and put a harness on me which I didn’t like at all, I just pulled the lady down the path and didn’t want to go back. The lady gave me back and although she was nice, I didn’t know what was going to happen. A few days later I was taken to have my hair cut and when we got back to the kennels I saw the lady and man there again! They had a car which they put me in and I settled down, scared of where I was going next, but it felt so nice to be on the lady’s lap and cuddled to her. No-one had ever cuddled me before. We got to a house and I was taken inside – I didn’t know what a house was then. I settled down into a bed they had for me and I had my own feeding bowl (which I didn’t like so they had to try all sorts of bowls to get me to eat) and water bowl. They taught me some manners and to go outside. I love my new mum and dad, but specially my mum and I protect her from everything. No-one is allowed to go near her when I’m around. We go for walks, but I walk very slowly and sniff everywhere. Not long after I went there we did a big journey in the car. They put me in a box (they said it was for my safety) but I screamed as it reminded me so much of the puppy farm. Once I realised that it was cosy and comfortable and I could sleep all the way I settled down and now if we go anywhere I am always the first to get to the car. I love travelling now and have been to lots of places. My mum and dad take me everywhere they can. I still get nightmares so mum and dad let me sleep with them, then if I have a nightmare mum cuddles me until I feel better. They take me to what they call dog shows now too. They say that I will get used to other dogs (I just stand there if another dog comes near me as I have never been around dogs before and having no mum to teach me……). My human mum has all my rosettes around the house, she tells me she is so proud of me. I spend my days sleeping (I’m even allowed on the furniture) and going for walks with both mum and dad, but sometimes mum goes out so I have to go with my dad. I do play him up by walking very slowly (slower than usual) and stopping for treats every few minutes, but he doesn’t get angry, he just tells my mum when she comes in. I love my life now and I love my mum and dad.