Mugzy’s story is a perfect example of how a little kindness can change lives for the better. We mean him when he says that a dog lives “happily ever after”.
In the summer of 2017, Kelly Duer participated in a foster care study sponsored by Maddie’s Foundation. During her research, she would take a dog out of its kennel for a clear day out of the shelter and spend the night at a hotel. Mugzy is one of the dogs.
Mugzy has lived at the shelter longer than any other dog at Ventura County Animal Services. Life hasn’t been easy for him, and Kelly feels that if anyone deserves to be out, it’s Mugzy.
He has drooping ears and vestibular disease, which causes some mobility issues, but he is as affectionate as a sponge and especially loves to rub his belly! Kelly happily snaps a few pictures of Mugzy while they hang out, showing him some love, but unfortunately their day is over and she has to take him back to her crib to continue her research. his rescue.
She posted pictures of their big day to IMGUR, where we discovered the subject and read his story. All of us at iHeartDogs were so captivated by his bright and happy smile as he stood outside the pet supply store that we reached out to Kelly and asked to share the photos. She sent more and told us the story of this handsome guy.
Kelly’s day with Mugzy was his first time leaving the shelter in more than 500 days. He loved visiting the pet store, curling up on the couch in his hotel room, but most of all, he loved the affection he received from the people he met that day.
Mugzy also appeals to our readers. His post has been shared over 1,000 times on Facebook – and reached Orinda Beiers with Hearthfire Animal Rescue Team in West Richland, Washington.
“Mugsy called Orinda from a shelter near LA. It’s not clear to us why we had to spend four days on the road looking for an aging pit bull. There’s no shortage of bullies, or old dogs, right here. But he waited almost two long years, and it was… necessary. “
HART arranged to pick him up, and they immediately set out for Southern California to bring him home. They were determined that Mugsy would never spend another night in a shelter. He became an Last Refuge dog with HART, and his adoptive mother fell in love with him and decided to give him a home for the rest of his life.
Mugsy is a member of the HART family, and through his frequent Facebook posts and photos, his fans are always aware of his situation. He received all the medical care he needed through their Last Shelter program. Kelly also follows his story and donates to help with some of the expenses.
Mugsy thrives on HART, and loves her new home and family. For two years, he lived the good life, with lots of friends, his own seat on the couch, a foster sister, and lots of love. We are sorry to hear that just yesterday, December 2, 2019, HART said goodbye to Mugsy.
In Mugsy’s fond memory, they shared some of their favorite moments on Facebook:
“Mugsy doesn’t have too many teeth, but he can slam any zucchini into the ground.
Summer has always been his favorite time of the year…except fall, winter and spring…because ANY time is spent in the lawn, the soft mattress or lying on his lap or in a chair back of a car, head out the window and patting in the wind – basically, anywhere out of a shelter – is GREAT time for an old dog! “
“Sometimes, when life is so good and he forgets it’s a serious problem, he has to be tortured. Like this time when his people made him dress up as a turkey. Look, Mugsy has been so clear about himself – he knows his worth. But seriously… a HUGE? Poor dog!
“Mind you, he never felt sorry for himself. Seriously loyal, he takes his job in keeping his people safe. There isn’t a single dish or a bowl of food that he doesn’t knock down with energetic enthusiasm. Since leaving the shelter, he has embraced life with passion and lived every moment he has to the fullest! “
“Many days in the house, he is allowed to sit on the couch with a special cover for dogs on it. He was not allowed to sit on the “clean couch”. His mother will pile various things on the couch to help him remember… and as far as Mugsy is concerned, they just make time on the couch more enjoyable.
“The problem with this guy is that he likes to make his own person happy. He really WANT them to be happy. But he never againI believe that following what he was told was the way to that end. For Mugsy, orders are just suggestions. Sometimes he takes them… and sometimes he doesn’t. His mother solved this problem by keeping him in a harness most of the time. It’s comfortable enough for him, and it means she has a grip when she needs to grab hold of it and keep him occupied.”
“Mugsy LOVES his daily walks. He never got far – his arthritis got worse, and over time it got worse, to the point that even medication didn’t really help. Going out to his particular slope for a short distance became difficult. So… he has a carriage. Sometimes he doesn’t need it, and that’s fine – Mom or Grandma Orinda will bring it. But usually at some point, he willrelieved to get on board and let the humans go for a walk.
“We have known for a long time that he is ready for his final journey across the Rainbow Bridge. He’s ready… but really, the people who love him aren’t. His mother Orinda – all his people – desperately wanted to give him just a few more days, and then a few more days, to run around and fool and cuddle in comfort. happy. But it became too difficult for him.
“Today when the vet came to visit, he was so happy to see her. For a moment, greeting her, he was his old self. But he’s not really like that. His muscular old body was tired, and it was time to let him go.
“He crossed the bridge with his high tail and his snubs blowing in the wind. We miss you, sweet boy. “
There must be many people to bless Mugsy forever. We are grateful for Ventura County Animal Services, Kelly Duer, Orinda Beiers and HART, Mugsy’s family, and all of our readers who shared his story.
Featured photo: Kelly Duer & @HearthfireAnimalRescueTeam / Facebook
