While at the store, Tera and her group were there with the dogs they had rescued and were hopefully up for adoption to caring families. My wife saw a huge chocolate Doberman whose name was Wyatt. He captured my wife’s heart and she called me to come see him RIGHT NOW.

I arrived at the store not knowing what to expect and was I surprised. This was the biggest Doberman I had ever seen. Not knowing much about Dobermans other than their reputation as guard dogs, I thought if Wyatt didn’t get his way, I could be his next lunch. I pictured this monster with his jaws locked around my throat. Needless to say, we passed on Wyatt, the First.

Not one to give up, Tera McCurry told Barbara that another group that worked with hers had rescued another Dobie. She contacted Kelly Fisher who had been nursing him back from hip surgery. This Dobie had been abandoned by his owner. The faithful dog stayed in the same place for days waiting for his owner to return.

Anyway, Kelly’s group got the Dobie operated on at Moreno Valley Animal Hospital and she was nursing him back to health when Tera called her about us. Not knowing the abandoned dog’s name, Kelly had named him Romeo. The next weekend, Kelly brought Romeo to PetsMart in Corona for us to meet him. We entered the store and saw a young woman holding a Dobie with a shaved right hindquarter on a leash. Kelly gave the leash to my wife and suggested we walk around the store with him. It was love at first sight.

We took Romeo home with us that afternoon and on the way home decided to rename him Wyatt because my wife was very fond of the first Wyatt. He became an instant hit with our children, friends and neighbors. His new sisters, Chloe and Kidd were a little stand-offish; like “Who is this guy?” He had a couple of health issues initially but we have fought (and continue to fight) our own health issues and we were not going to give up on him.

For the decision we made, we have one of the greatest dogs anyone could own. Smart, fiercely loyal, gentle; even his sisters are warming up to him; he is my best bud.

To anyone who is considering adoption, please take these things into account when you are making a decision to adopt. These animals are going to cost you money and they will need their own space. But most of all they need a space in your heart. These are God’s creatures. They need your care and love just like your children do. If you cannot provide that then do not adopt; these creatures are not disposable. The unconditional affection a dog has for a loving owner is the best stress reducer on the planet.

God bless you, Tera McCurry, and the people like you.

Warmest regards,

Jeff and Barbara Hamilton