But I need to take a moment at this time of year, and give thanks - to the SPCA of Anne Arundel County where Mali came from. One of their staff found her running loose and frightened along a highway at about 5 months of age, and for almost 16 months, they took care of her and worked hard to find her a home. I learned about her from an email that one of the Anne Arundel SPCA staff sent out over the Best Friends e-mail network. I saw her at their facility, and the next day Chi went out with me - and Mali came home. All with the AASPCA staff's coaching and assistance.
And those 16 months of care for Mali were not where AASPCA stopped. It wasn't easy in the beginning. We didn't think we would ever be able to touch her. She is still skittish in some circumstances, but oh the kisses and greetings we get now. (Chi has helped show her how to treat your humans.) And the formerly tightly tucked tail now wags free! And then when the third day with us came around, Chi seemed to suddenly realize that she wasn't going away and he was determined to "draw the line" - he willingly shared his bed, toys and food, but NOT his humans! The staff were there for us - e-mails, phone calls, and even the new trainer called and talked for quite a while with me. They haven't stopped caring for her, and we so appreciate that! They helped us to have confidence in what we were doing, and my son can even get her to obey with hand signals. (A trainer we had worked with before wasn't sure that she could be trained to obey commands because she did not respond to treats - our Mali works on love and pride!) And Anne Arundel SPCA staff had most fortunately gotten her to KNOW her name - that comes in handy every day - today we visited a cousin's place out in Stafford, Virginia, and I could confidently let Mali and Chi run loose on the acreage because I knew that Mali would come when her name was called.
We have a healthy, very special dog - thanks to the SPCA of Anne Arundel County, Maryland!
