Thank you to Helen Woodward Animal Center for sharing this wonderful story of pet adoption from their Most Heartwarming Story Contest. It was submitted by Monmouth County SPCA, an Iams Home 4 the Holidays participating organization, in 2005.
December 02, 2005, the Monmouth County SPCA’s humane law enforcement division was dispatched to an address in Keansburg. A young, male Staffordshire Terrier/mix had been spotted in a backyard, abandoned, as his owner had recently moved.
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Captain Willie Wiggles (as he was later dubbed) was found, outdoors, locked in a dog crate, with no food or water, left there to die. He had been in this crate for several days, although no one knows for sure. But judging by the looks of him, he’d been starving much longer than that.
Needless to say, when Willie was picked up, he was severely undernourished, suffering from dehydration, and filthy. It was determined that he was approximately 10 months old.
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In spite of Willie's neglected and poor condition, he displayed a sweet and loving disposition, doling out kisses and wiggling as he weakly wagged his tail. As is so often the case with abused animals, he was utterly forgiving of humanity.
After being cleaned up and examined by a veterinarian, it was discovered that Willie was a truly unique dog. He had one big eye and one little eye and his head was slightly deformed. The veterinarian who examined him determined that Willie had been born this way, and that his misshapen head was not due to any abuse.
Captain Willie Wiggles won over the hearts of all the folks that came in contact with him. No one could look at that face and not fall in love. He charmed everyone.
One of the smitten ones was none other than one of our humane law enforcement agents, John S.
Soon after Willie’s arrival, John suddenly began to visit the Administrative office (where Captain Willie was recuperating) quite often. When Willie was out for a walk or a ride, John would inquire about Willie, afraid that he had been adopted and that he’d never see him again.
Meanwhile, Willie was gaining weight, and was almost to the point of weighing about what a dog his size and age should weigh. His fun-loving, mischievous nature became more apparent with every pound he put on.
And with every visit to the Administration office, John’s feelings for the wiggly dog grew, until by December 23rd, he could no longer take it, and he adopted Willie, just in time for Willie to have a “Home 4 The Holidays”.
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Since going to his new “forever home”, Willie has made remarkable progress. He has gained more weight, and begun obedience classes.
He accompanies John in the car on frequent trips, and has been back to visit his friends at the SPCA many times. The two have become inseparable.
For a story that could have had a tragic ending, Captain Willie Wiggles’ tale instead is one of joyfulness and elation. The happy soul that resided inside that pitiful, emaciated body on that cold December day found love, a permanent home, and someone upon whom to shower his affection.
Thanks to the “Iams Home 4 The Holidays” program, John found a friend with whom to share his life. Iams Home 4 the Holidays is an annual pet-adoption campaign dedicated to helping place orphaned pets into happy, loving homes. Started in 1999 by Helen Woodward Animal Center (in partnership with Iams) this is the campaign’s 14th year. Working with thousands of participating shelters and rescue organizations from around the world, the campaign has helped more than 7 million pets find loving homes. The pet adoption drive began on October 1 and runs through January 2, 2013.
To learn about how you can help get more pets adopted during Iams Home 4 the Holidays, visit www.Facebook.com/Iams and www.Facebook.com/helenwoodwardanimalcenter.
December 02, 2005, the Monmouth County SPCA’s humane law enforcement division was dispatched to an address in Keansburg. A young, male Staffordshire Terrier/mix had been spotted in a backyard, abandoned, as his owner had recently moved.
.jpg)
Captain Willie Wiggles (as he was later dubbed) was found, outdoors, locked in a dog crate, with no food or water, left there to die. He had been in this crate for several days, although no one knows for sure. But judging by the looks of him, he’d been starving much longer than that.
Needless to say, when Willie was picked up, he was severely undernourished, suffering from dehydration, and filthy. It was determined that he was approximately 10 months old.
.jpg)
In spite of Willie's neglected and poor condition, he displayed a sweet and loving disposition, doling out kisses and wiggling as he weakly wagged his tail. As is so often the case with abused animals, he was utterly forgiving of humanity.
After being cleaned up and examined by a veterinarian, it was discovered that Willie was a truly unique dog. He had one big eye and one little eye and his head was slightly deformed. The veterinarian who examined him determined that Willie had been born this way, and that his misshapen head was not due to any abuse.
Captain Willie Wiggles won over the hearts of all the folks that came in contact with him. No one could look at that face and not fall in love. He charmed everyone.
One of the smitten ones was none other than one of our humane law enforcement agents, John S.
Soon after Willie’s arrival, John suddenly began to visit the Administrative office (where Captain Willie was recuperating) quite often. When Willie was out for a walk or a ride, John would inquire about Willie, afraid that he had been adopted and that he’d never see him again.
Meanwhile, Willie was gaining weight, and was almost to the point of weighing about what a dog his size and age should weigh. His fun-loving, mischievous nature became more apparent with every pound he put on.
And with every visit to the Administration office, John’s feelings for the wiggly dog grew, until by December 23rd, he could no longer take it, and he adopted Willie, just in time for Willie to have a “Home 4 The Holidays”.
.jpg)
Since going to his new “forever home”, Willie has made remarkable progress. He has gained more weight, and begun obedience classes.
He accompanies John in the car on frequent trips, and has been back to visit his friends at the SPCA many times. The two have become inseparable.
For a story that could have had a tragic ending, Captain Willie Wiggles’ tale instead is one of joyfulness and elation. The happy soul that resided inside that pitiful, emaciated body on that cold December day found love, a permanent home, and someone upon whom to shower his affection.
Thanks to the “Iams Home 4 The Holidays” program, John found a friend with whom to share his life. Iams Home 4 the Holidays is an annual pet-adoption campaign dedicated to helping place orphaned pets into happy, loving homes. Started in 1999 by Helen Woodward Animal Center (in partnership with Iams) this is the campaign’s 14th year. Working with thousands of participating shelters and rescue organizations from around the world, the campaign has helped more than 7 million pets find loving homes. The pet adoption drive began on October 1 and runs through January 2, 2013.
To learn about how you can help get more pets adopted during Iams Home 4 the Holidays, visit www.Facebook.com/Iams and www.Facebook.com/helenwoodwardanimalcenter.
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