William St. Patrick Carl LePage, aka Willie, was found tied to a sign post in Orangeburg, NY. No one knows how he got there. Was he abandoned? Was he lost and tied to keep him from running? We’ll never know.
A good Samaritan rescued Willie (he was nameless at the time) and delivered him to an animal shelter. He was cleaned up and offered for adoption. A few weeks later, with no takers, he was put on “death row”.
You see, Willie is a Rottweiler and “forever homes” for abandoned Rottweilers without a health record or history are not easily found. The animal shelter was crowded and the kennel where Willie was living was needed to house “more adoptable breeds”.
He was led to a small room at the shelter, strapped to a cold examination table and prepared for euthanasia.
As the vet technician filled a hypodermic needle with a compound that would quietly and painlessly put Willie “to sleep”, a miracle happened. The volunteer who had been working with Willie, training him and nursing him back to health, entered the room. Willie was missing from his kennel and she was there to give him his daily walk. When the volunteer realized what was happening, she demanded that the dog be unbound. A brief argument ensued and she was given an ultimatum; take the dog home or let him be killed.
The rest is a much longer, much happier story… but in the end, Willie found his way to our home and into our hearts. As I write this post, he is sleeping peacefully, without fear, in the corner of our living room. He has been with us for 5 years.
Willie is an amazing dog and an honored member of our family of three kids, six cats and a guinea pig (all rescues, except for the kids). To think that he was seconds from being put down “to make room”… is a sickening thought.
Part of our mission at Fivecat Studio is to contribute positively to our community and to provide hope and support to those in need. For the past 9 years during the holiday season we have organized the Pillows for Puppies Donation Drive, which collects towels, blankets, leashes, etc, for homeless pets residing at two local “no-kill” animal shelters, Westchester SPCA and Pets Alive Westchester (formerly Elmsford Animal Shelter).
With your help, we can make a difference. Donate today. Clean, new or used blankets, towels, pet beds, food, treats, collars and leashes may be shipped, delivered or dropped off at Fivecat Studio located at 48 Wheeler Avenue in Pleasantville, NY.
This year the campaign runs through mid-January. Please help us spread the word by sharing this post with your friends and family. Willie, and all his friends in the shelters, thank you.
For more information, download the Pillows for Puppies press release here.
So glad Willie has a safe and happy home with you and your family. He’s a handsome fellow.