Sara !
 

Sara's Story, by new Mom,
Dianna Bonder

Sometimes things are just meant to be....this is definitely the case with Sara.

A couple of months ago, Gail from Big Heart Rescue told me about a dog named Sara that had been rescued and needed a good home. As a family with a young child and other pets to consider, we had been waiting for that "right fit" when it came to a new dog. We had told Gail to keep us updated with new cases and let us know if a large, older dog came along.

Well lo and behold, a beautiful purebred Neapolitan Mastiff found her way to Big Heart Rescue and eventually found her way into our lives. Gentle, loving, good natured, good with children, good with other animals...Sara was a perfect fit.  Additionally, we had always wanted a mastiff dog but didn't want to buy a puppy. We wanted to adopt an older dog and give an animal in need a good home.  When Gail emailed us the photograph, we couldn't believe how perfect Sara would be for our family.  Within just a few weeks, we had signed all of the papers and ventured off to Vancouver to pick up our new friend. We didn't know what to expect when we arrived as Sara had been a very neglected, sick dog when she was brought into Big Heart Rescue...but we shouldn't have worried because not only was she as beautiful as her photographs had suggested but she was as gentle and loving as Gail had described. We were greeted with a big sausage like tail thumping against the floor and big (and I mean BIG!!) wet kiss!!! Within just a few hours, Sara was on her way back with us to Gabriola Island and had settled into our car like she had been in it a million times before.

That was over 6 weeks ago and Sara continues to impress! She has not only adjusted extremely well to her new life but has accepted every single creature that lives in our home. Within a day, Sara was playing in the backyard and sleeping beside our bed in the master bedroom along with our two other dogs (snoring ever so gracefully and loudly!!) There was never a moment when I felt at all concerned about Sara playing around my 2 year old daughter...she seemed to have a very gentle nature about her and I felt immediate trust with her. We have had many different people visit (both young and old) and Sara has always been very polite and very obedient.  We never have to raise our voice to her and from day one, she has always come when called.   I am amazed at how a dog that suffered at the hands of other human beings can be so calm, and trusting and loving. It speaks volumes of a dogs ability to forgive and forget.

Today Sara enjoys the many pleasures that a rural island lifestyle has to offer. Room to explore, beaches to run on, clean air to sniff and a most importantly , a family that loves her. Gone are the chains, the lack of food and water, the concrete bed and the constant abuse and neglect.

Thank you Big Heart Rescue for finding Sara and helping make her a part of our family.

Your friends,

Lee, Dianna, Ekko, Rocky, Chili, Fargo, Einstein, Lauren and Sara Bonder

Contact Big Heart Rescue for more information.

www.bigheartrescue.com