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My New Buddy Willie

Meet Willie my new rescue puppy from Rough Start Rescue in Princeton, Minnesota. Twelve puppies, including Willie, arrived at a Houston Rescue in a wheelbarrow hoping for a new life in a new home. Leaving Houston, Texas on February 28 and arriving in Minnesota twenty-six hours later on February 29, 2020 was one bus with thirty-six puppies, two drivers and one vet tech. “With puppies on board,” explained one driver, “we only stop for fuel and human potty breaks. We change the pads in the dog kennels, give the pups some food and water and get back on the highway.”

I arrived at Rough Start shortly after the bus. I had an eleven o’clock appointment to pick up Willie but started out a bit early unsure of what traffic would be like on a Saturday morning. As I was ahead of schedule, I got to witness a well organized unloading of the bus and it’s precious cargo. A small army of volunteers dressed in blue Rough Start t-shirts knew the plan. Each puppy was carried to the door of bus where his/her name was announced. A volunteer stepped forward to a chorus of oohs and ahhhs as the little guy was handed down into waiting arms that provided a tender hug and kiss welcome., The next step was a vetting to insure that a heathy pup was being delivered. And finally a meeting with the arrivals new foster family. That was me for little Willie. HIs name was actually Daniel and he traveled with Connor and Sean his actual litter mates. And oh my were they “ripe”!

When you are handed a little three pound bundle of fur looking at you with big dark eyes and shivering as if his life depends on it, how can you not take him in your arms, no matter the smell, an hold him close and whisper sweet nothings in his too big for his head ears! It was love at first sight for me. I was also handed a large grocery bag with Daniels name on it filled with dog food, treats, toys, a collar, coupons, his microchip tag and a folder of instructions. He had had a flea and tick treatment as part of his vetting so therefore no bath for forty-eight hours. Oh my! And so it begins . . .

Willie makes a trip to Princeton this Friday for his neutering surgery. They will be amazed at how much he has grown in a week and how much better he smells! Progress is being made on the house training - I’m not sure who is becoming trained however - Willie or me!

For more information on Rough Start Rescue see: https://www.ruffstartrescue.org/