Josie is a beautiful, strong and loving sweet pea. She has bonded with Charlie and they are inseparable. She now lives like a princess in an old 1925 home in Arlington Park, Sarasota. She has regular visits to the dog park close to home and has made many new friends. Her favorites include large male dogs! She just loves them!

At first she had some separation anxiety issues, but they are long gone. Since I work from home or close to it, I try to spend some quality time during my work day with my dogs. My dogs are my kids and I include them in everything I can.

During this time with Josie I became more familiar with what the term "Heartworm Positive" means. What I saw with Josie's treatment left me mortified. It literally drains the life from a dog and the follow up care afterwards is intensive. The worst part of it is is that it is so preventable. All my dogs have been rescues and some in bad shape, but to think someone could put such a wonderful girl in a death sentence made me rage. She has made it through all three very difficult treatments and is finally heartworm free. YAY!

She also has celebrated her 3rd birthday! In Sarasota there are many dog friendly restaurants and she has a favorite, The Sun Garden on Siesta Key. so that's where she got to spend her birthday breakfast. One thing that has been her constant is the toy that was sent home with her...her toy we call "Bob" ...he is a dog on an inner tube. She brings him into every room she is in and finally lets Charlie play with him.

She has won the hearts of many friends of mine all the way to England as she pushed through the heartworm treatment and has her own Dogbook page coming shortly if not already.

I was told the day that I adopted her that I was making a lot of volunteers very sad and happy at the same time at C. A .R.E...and I saw the effect that Josie had on everyone there. She is an amazing girl and I will always take care of her. Snuggling with her and Charlie in the morning (even though they totally hog the bed) is the most wonderful feeling in the world.

I recently bought a beautiful necklace of a peapod with 2 peas inside. It is Charlie and Josie.

More pictures will follow soon!

JJ