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Last Updated 07.07.09 by | Total Entries [0] | Total Comments [167]
Post 29 of 55
Lebanon Refugee Steals The Heart Of Fellow Biker
When my wife told me that she was going to spend a week at Best Friends volunteering in October, my only comment was "do not bring home another dog."

Kristin was very lucky that the week she was to be at Best Friends was the week that all the Lebanon animals arrived. I was getting calls and text messages from her letting me know that she was having an amazing time. She never thought that scooping poop could be so rewarding. She was telling me about how amazing all the staff and volunteers were to interact with while she was there.

Most importantly, she told me that her week at Best Friends was "one of the most rewarding experiences of her life". Needless to say, one of our 2007 vacations will be a week at Best Friends so that I can share in what she experienced.

When Kristin returned home to Boulder, she had great stories and a ton of pictures. The interesting thing is that there was one dog that appeared in the majority of the shots. She told me about Louise and shared Louise's story of being alone with no food or water for over two weeks due to her owner being killed.

I knew something was up due to the way that she spoke about Louise. Finally, I was able to get the whole story out of her. She explained how she didn't want or expect to meet a dog while she was there, but Louise just "spoke" to her (Ah yes, the power of unspoken dog language).

Kristin's attitude was almost like that of a small child wanting that first puppy. How could I get in the way of this connection? It took no convincing for me to say "let's get her", and the process of bringing Louise to her permanent home began.

Kristin made the trek back to Best Friends in early November to pick her up. Since then Louise has brought nothing but joy and smiles to our home. Louise seems to be the happiest dog around. Our friends, family, neighbors, and even our Vet clinic staff have all fallen in love with our little refugee.

Louise bounces around our world with her interesting little limp. Her tail is always wagging. She has the cutest little snore as she sleeps. She's a world class "chow hound" when its feeding time; and she is always ready, willing, and able to spend some quality snuggle time with anyone who is interested.

Louise enjoyed the blizzard over the Christmas Holiday here in Colorado. We have a funny feeling that she never saw this kind of weather in Lebanon.

Thank you for the great things that you do for all animals. Most importantly, thank you for allowing Louise to join our home. She's a great addition to the family.

Kristin Bresnan and Mark Stefanowski
Boulder, CO
Comments
Posted 2 Jan 2007 1:00 AM by doggoneguy
NICE ! now aren't you glad you listened Mark?

I am happy for all of you!

GREAT GOING !

Posted 2 Jan 2007 10:35 AM by FATJACK
Mark,

I could always tell when my wife was contemplating acquiring another animal. Like Kristin, she would always manage to mention something about the animal even though the subject of our conversation had nothing to do with aniamals.

Like me, I believe you are a softy. My heart always goes out to the needy. An animal in need of help was always welcome in our home.

Thank you for helping

Posted 2 Jan 2007 10:58 AM by frankie_paws
Mark, don't feel bad. Luckily my husband agreed to rescue our Louise and Thelma from Tylertown and Fred from Tennessee. And we already have two... and then there were five. We love it! I'm glad you do too!

Posted 2 Jan 2007 12:05 PM by daniellea
Kristin & Mark are two of the most wonderful adopters!! It was so great to see their excitement and enthusiasm about Louise. Thank you Kristin & Mark for giving Louise the love and care that she deserves and a home to call her own.

Posted 2 Jan 2007 12:08 PM by jennifer
Yeah Louise! Yeah Mark & Kristin! We look forward to seeing you both this coming year. I too, made the mistake of being there the day the animals arrived, to lose my heart to a little orange cat with amber eyes, named Nado. He put his little arms around me and wouldn't let go (which I learned later he does with EVERYONE!) and couldn't get him out of my mind. Luckily, my husband & I work at Best Friends, so we didn't have quite the trek, and like you, my husband easily caved.

Kristin - thank you for all the help you've given us, and thank you for making another convert!

Posted 2 Jan 2007 12:29 PM by judylew
What a great story! She looks like such a sweetie. Isn't it amazing how the animals know who to pick?

Posted 2 Jan 2007 2:39 PM by pattycatty
Hey everybody, lets admit that Kristin's first and best pick was Mark. What a loving and supportive partner you are Mark. Good luck to your newly expanded family.

Posted 2 Jan 2007 5:04 PM by angintn
Way to go Louise - you made one great pick and got two instead!! -- what a beautiful picture. Best of luck and thanks to the new family!

Posted 2 Jan 2007 10:49 PM by Squeakie42
Mark, you and Kristin not only brought another friend home -- you've given to all of us by sharing this story of hope and happiness. And I've gotta vote with Patty -- you're really are the pick of the litter! Happy New Year, happy snowshoeing, happy life to you all.

Posted 2 Jan 2007 11:43 PM by marla
WoW What a great story

Thank you for sharing with us. All the best to you.

Posted 3 Jan 2007 10:52 AM by Gloria
Well! I always know it’s going to be a good day here at the sanctuary when I start the morning out getting teary over one or our animal’s stories. Thank you, Mark and Kristen!

Posted 3 Jan 2007 12:05 PM by CCorbin
Tears of joy and happiness at reading this story. Way to go Kristin and Mark - what a beautiful new family member you have in Louise. Thank you for stepping up to the plate and giving Louise her forever home. Mark, you are in for the trip of your life when you go to Best Friends. Have lots of fun.

Posted 3 Jan 2007 3:44 PM by Shelleyt
What a beautiful story. Thank you so much for sharing your adventure with us. Louise has chosen a wonderful family and you have obviously developed a loving bond. Isn't it wonderful how somethings are just meant to be? Thank you both for takiing Louise into your family.

Posted 12 Jan 2007 12:23 AM by Bipedal
That picture shows just how happy you all are to
be HOME. A safe home for such a pretty girl and
I'm sure her happiness speaks volumes of
appreciation.
As I'm ready to go to sleep with my 2 dogs rescued
from Best Friend's Tylertown, I thank you for adding
to pleasant dreams in Minnesota.

Posted 3 Feb 2007 7:06 PM by BikerMark
Since I'm the guy in the picture and Louise is the most amazing refugee on the planet, I just want to say thank you. Thank you to all the folks who posted great comments and thanks to Best Friends for bringing Louise to our home. Can't wait to visit Kanab this summer! Mark S.

Posted 28 Feb 2007 1:49 PM by kathypat70005
thank you for sharing youe love story. when I was in a Red Cross shelter during Katrina many people were calling us ewfugees but we weren't we were survivors. In a way your pooch is the same way we were. She is a survivor. Now she has a forever home where she will be surrounded by love and where she can give her un-conditional love in return.

Posted 6 Mar 2007 4:54 PM by samglauser
What a wonderful story! Sounds like you both are as lucky as louise is!!! Enjoy!

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