Note: Rusty was an abuse case, and I'd like to thank Tammy & Mike Cohee for taking a chance on him and for seeing past the abused shell to the wonderful dog that was hidden inside. It is people like this who make what we do possible!

Hey! It's Rusty! You knew me as Rocky II but I have a new name now in my new life. It's been about a month and I'm doing great in my new home and have made a lot of progress. When I first got here, I wasn't interested in much, was confused, scared and depressed. Everytime someone touched me I jumped. I didn't run, jump, play or talk and only wagged my tail a little. Boy has life changed!

I went to the vet when I first got here and he checked me over good. He says I could be as young as 3 1/2 per my teeth but it's not necessarily accurate and I could be much older. He said I was still pretty weak and didn't have much muscle mass. It looks like I have had a couple of ribs that were broken in the past, possibly from being kicked. There's a disc in my neck that's sore and he put me on medicine for the inflammation and pain. I got my distemper booster and didn't even flinch. The vet says I'm a really good boy and his nurses fussed over me a lot.

Mom & Dad now take me and my new sister, Molly for a walk every day. We go through the woods, fields and ponds. I kind of just walked along at first but now I get real excited when it's walk time. When we start out, it's usually just us but by the time we get part way through the walk, some of our neighbor dogs, Buster, Bosco, Dusty and Gus join us. I didn't like them at first and hid behind my parents, but I've learned they're really good guys and I'm starting to run with them, chase sticks and explore the fields. Boy is it fun! I even chased a bird the other day! This is all so new and different from being chained up outside.

I'm getting pretty good in the house and only have an accident now and then. I'm still trying to figure out how to tell Mom & Dad that I need to go out and I'm not used to talking to people. But I'm trying! I follow Mom & Dad all the time and give them a lot of love. There's also these rawhide things and I didn't know what they were for but my sister taught me how wonderful it is to chew them. The squeaky toys were pretty scary but I'm getting pretty brave now and will make one squeak now and then. And tennis balls! WOW! I didn't know there were so many wonderful things!

Mom made me a special food and I've been putting on a lot of weight. My ribs don't show anymore, my coat is getting softer and I have a lot more energy. It was hard to get around at first and I stumbled a lot but it's much better. Stairs were a real effort and Dad used to help me climb on the couch but I can do it myself now. Between the walks, lots of love and the good food, it's made a big difference. Mom and Dad brush me every day and I hardly have any dandruff anymore and my coat is starting to fill back in. I get real excited now when they come home from work and wiggle my butt just like my new sister. I even have started to talk when I get excited. Woo! Woo!

I make progress every day. Mom said that the first time I talked, it was almost as good as a baby's first words. They love me a lot and are proud of the progress I've made. I love them a lot in return. Mom says she'll send a photo some time so you can see how I look now and that my eyes aren't sad so much. I'm a pretty handsome guy, even if I say so myself.

I just wanted all of you to know I'm doing great. Thank you for helping me find a new home.

Could you please forward this to the nice people in Cincinnati at the shelter who nursed me for 3 weeks? As sick and weak as I was, I could have been PTS, but instead they saved me, even though they thought I was 10 years old and may not be able to find a new home. Tell them Mom & Dad say they did a wonderful thing.

Love, Rusty