In August 2010 "Boy" rescued himself from the streets of Detroit by jumping into the open car door of a social worker who, fortunately, was also a volunteer for the pet rescue PAAW. He is a perfectly marked rottweiler who had been overly-trained, used for stud, then tossed out of a car in a strange neighborhood of Detroit. He was near death with various illnesses and starving.

The rescue called me and asked if I could teach him to "come." Sure, I said, bring him over. However, immediately I ascertained Boy was about 95% deaf. In spite of looking like a youngster with a puppy face, he was about 10 years old. He'd been harshly treated and jerked back in terror when I tried to pet him. He was near death with 1 1/2 lungs filled with pneumonia fluid, parasites, e-coli, severe arthritis, 30 lbs. underweight, ear and eye infections. And worst of all, he had never been loved.

The process began of vet visits, medications, special food and gently assuring him he was safe. The only name to which he responded when shouted loudly was "BOY!" - so I determined that should be his name. It worked.

After two or three months a new vet gave Boy a grim prognosis - he is "unadoptable" due to two kinds of heart failure and kidney failure. The severe arthritis in his front elbow was also in his spine and hips. His heart is very large, flacid and congested with fluid. His kidneys function less than 25%. The medicine for the arthritis hurts the kidneys and the treatment for the kidneys hurts the heart. It is a balancing act treating Boy and the new vet pronounced he would not live through this spring or summer. As PAAW is a no-kill rescue, we determined to keep him as comfortable as possible and let him live his life.

However, the one factor doctors had not counted on was Love. My heart wells inside as I watch Boy succumb to the effects of being shown love. Over the last 11 months he has gone from Terrified Dog to Moosh Dog. Slowly the fear in his eyes yielded to warmth, he began to smile and he selected his first toy - a stuffed bunny. Eventually Boy found a tennis ball and developed the self-play skills of tossing it, chasing it and pouncing on it like a kitten. The love in his soul was freed for him to attach to others. He began to hug me with his head and body and expect a nightly time set aside for hugs, head rubbing and kisses.

He is docile, happy, laid-back and a joy to be around.  Boy will help anyone with BBD (Big Black Dog syndrome) not to be afraid of his Love.  

Anyone interested should send an email to: PAAWarren@aol.com