Farmer

Becki and Farmer

This is the story of a Velveteen dog. You know - like the story of the velveteen rabbit, the story of a bedraggled, beat-up stuffed bunny who came alive because of love?!! Well, that's Farmer's story. When he first came into our lives, he was just out of surgery for eating a rock. His previous owners elected to give him up, rather than pay for his surgery...He was bone thin, you could count every rib, weak, and smelled unpleasantly of a dog who was at the brink of giving up. Who knows how long he was sick before his surgery. His expression said the same thing, a look of defeat, as though he was telling me, "Hey, if you're gonna take me somewhere where I go through more pain, oh well - I just can't fight anymore." He came with medicine, special food and instructions to be kept very quiet. Farmer was supposed to be in my life only temporarily, as I was fostering him for Beagle Rescue of Southern Maryland until he found a forever home. The first few days were tough, he just didn't seem to have any more spirit to live or to heal. But I was determined to love him up and let him know that his life WAS worth living! And what happened after that was amazing! Right before my eyes, as the weeks progressed, Farmer gained weight, his coat became glossy and shiny, and he became a big bundle of loving energy! Yep, my Velveteen Dog came to life! Farmer approaches every day full of love and gratefulness for his second chance at life. He plays hard, eats hard, loves hard, and yes, even sleeps hard! From the moment he wakes up in the morning, stretches, and gives us his kisses, his expression now says, "What fun things are we gonna do today guys?!! It's wonderful to be alive!" Because of the special bond that developed between Farmer and our family during his healing process, we just couldn't give him up, so we decided to become his forever family. But that's just the beginning of my Velveteen Rabbit story. Farmer showed such an affection for people that he and I decided to work together as a therapy dog team, working through an organization called KPets. We have been working together for 4 years now, visiting a nursing home, a senior citizen apartment building, a library where children read to him, and now we visit an elementary school for a reading program as well. He is now sharing his 2nd chance at life with others, always willing to sit for a pat on the head, give a kiss, or even just to sit quietly and listen. He is loved by many! Farmer has truly not only changed MY life, but the lives of many others. When we visit people, I am just at the other end of the leash. I watch in amazement as he just seems to know who needs what as he goes from person to person. He is gentle and kind with young and old alike, a shining example of what a little love can do! Good dog, Farmer!