I wasn't really looking for a dog at PetSmart, but our Old English sheepdog had died and my daughter wanted another dog. A woman from southern Missouri brought a van of rescues to PetSmart every weekend, so I was checking them out. In one cage was a skinny black dachshund mix along with a wild barking puppy. The doxie gave me a look that said, save me. I was hooked. He was about 6 years old and had been rescued from a kill shelter. His name was Percy, which my daughter changed to Hershey. We found out he must have been horribly abused because he was afraid of everything, hid under the bed a lot, and wouldn't come even for treats. It took a long time and a lot of patience for him to trust. But now, 10 years later, he is the sweetest dog ever. He is almost blind and deaf but still spry, and he follows me everywhere. He loves walks in the park and rides in the car. He is my Handsome Hershey.

Karol Walters
BALLWIN, MO