About two and a half years ago, this adorable shih-tzu/pekinese mix came into our lives. I decided to honor her by putting her story on our website because she deserves to be honored every chance we get. I hope you enjoy her story as much as we enjoy her.

One June morning in 2004, I arrived at work at 5:00 a.m. as usual and started to walk up the stairs to our old facility. It was still dark, but I noticed some movement at the front door. Much to my surprise, there was a little, four-legged miracle curled up on the welcome mat. When I bent down to pet her, she turned around ferociously and let me know she wasn't very happy to see me. I then told her that I was about to help her and asked her to please never treat me that way again.

I knew I couldn't bring her into the facility not knowing what might be wrong with her. From the looks of her, I was pretty sure she wasn't current on her shots. As I picked her up, I discovered she was infested with fleas. My heart broke for this precious girl that had been so obviously neglected. I fell in love with her instantly and made her a promise that her life was about to change - for the better.

We put her out in a crate away from the house until the vet opened. We gave her a blanket and some food and would periodically check on her. Every time I looked at her, I would notice yet another thing that seemed to be wrong with her. I worried that she had ended up on our doorstep too late. I prayed that we had gotten her in time so that we could give her a life filled with love and happiness.

After her visit to the vet where she attacked everyone there, she came back with me, and I tried to determine the course of action that was best for her. Dr. Felix Smith had said she had a multitude of ailments. He said we could start with the basic tests and go from there. He had diagnosed her with an eye disease that would require two types of ointment administered three times per day. She had a horrible skin condition. Her skin was so dry and irritated she looked like she had pink elephant skin. Hair was almost nonexistent on the majority of her little body. She weighed only five pounds.

We decided to name her Hope. We wanted her to know there was hope for a better life - that even though life could be almost unbearable, there was always hope that it could get better.

Over the next few months, we all struggled to get her better. We found out Hope could be quite moody at times. Although she didn't have many teeth, she certainly knew how to utilize her existing ones. At one time or another, she bit everyone at Endless Love Pet Palace except for me. Hope and I formed a bond after our first encounter that morning. It was as though she knew all I wanted to do was love her and help her. When she wouldn't come out of her kennel for anyone, she would happily come out for me. As strange as this may sound, when I hold her she climbs up on my shoulder and literally hugs me, and I can feel her absolute contentment. I can feel the love she has for me. I know she also feels the love I have for her.

As time has passed, Hope has become an important member of everyone's family. She touches everyone's heart. We have clients that bring her gifts. She loves stuffed animals and soft blankets. We could open a store with all her belongings!! We love to watch her when she gets something new. She lets you know how much she appreciates it. We even have clients that donate money for Hope's care from time to time.

Hope now has a full, beautiful coat of hair covering her little body that now weighs close to ten pounds. From time to time, she has flare-ups with her skin, but overall, we control that by feeding her ZD food. Her eyes look bright and moist because she always gets her eye meds. She suffers from heart problems as well as thyroid problems, but they are controlled as well by medications. She has become a familiar face down at Smith Animal Hospital (they all forgave her for her behavior during her first visit.). Every few weeks we have to make a trip to Perry to find out what her newest ailment might be. I never mind the trip. She either lays flat on her back and gets me to rub her belly, or she stands in my lap and looks at the scenery. It's our quiet time together.

Hope is the Pet Palace Queen. She is pampered and spoiled in the manner in which she should have been in her previous life. She has brought so many things into our lives. She has a sense of humor as big as the state of Texas and a heart of gold. She is full of love and has a love for life now. She makes us laugh. She makes us cry. I think she has taught each one of us many valuable lessons, and she has learned a very important one herself from us. She has learned that someone can love her just for being her and be thankful their life has been blessed by merely having her in it. She has a purpose in life now, and that is to take care of all of us at Endless Love Pet Palace.

I cherish each and every day I have with my miracle girl. Every time I look into that adorable, little face, I thank God for sending her to me.