My name is Roofus. Roo to my friends! I am just a little guy (handsome, if I do say so myself!) who didn't find true love and affection till I was almost three and a half years old! Let me tell you my story and it's okay if you cry when you read about my 'first' life. Just remember angels would come for me...the ones that neglected little doggies think about and pray for everyday.

I am a Westie and I started life out as 'Snowball'. They should have named me 'Dirtball' cause that's what I always looked like! I don't remember those first years of my life very much because every day was just the same. I must not have been real special to my owners though. I had to live in the backyard with other dogs year round. My pals and me were always busy trying to keep cool and dry in the summer and warm in the winter. I don't remember happy times with those people. We were just their 'property'. Left outside with no one to call our name with that happy sound that tells us how thrilled you are that we belong to you. No one to pet, love or snuggle with us. Not a walk in the park, a thrown frisbee, a game of fetch or a ride in the car. I felt like I was just another part of the backyard. I could have been a tree and they wouldn't have known the difference! In my heart I felt life should not be like this for me or my pals. God didn't mean for us to be forgotten or treated like this. I knew life should be better for all of us, yet what could I do? So I just said my little prayers, tried to survive and instead of chasing rabbits in my sleep, I dreamt one day the angels would rescue me.

I had another problem too. A real big one. One day I got fleas. They just kept biting me and walking all over me. Ouch! I was just one big flea ball. I had a real bad case of them and they almost drove me crazy. They itched, I scratched. My owner didn't do anything to help me so I suffered. Not only did I hurt, but it was humilating for a guy like me that should have a luscious white coat of hair. Those varmints feasted on me so long I lost all the hair on my back legs and belly. The rest of my coat was thin and ugly. I only weighed thirteen pounds. Why would nobody love me, help me? Couldn't my owner see I was in pain?

If only I had just the least bit of love, maybe I could make it. No, they took the easy way out.

One day I got that car ride I had wanted so much...they drove me to the Humane Society and dumped me!

As soon as I walked in I smelled fear in the air. People don't know that smell, but any four-legger will tell you it is scary to sniff that scent. I was plenty scared that day. In the far off I could hears dogs saying "pick me, please", "look I can do tricks" and mostly "I will make you so happy and be so good". My fears subsided when I was taken by a nice person who said, "We'll get you fixed up and find you a good home real soon". They took me to my new space and I heard an older dog yell, "don't worry pal, that nice W.O.O.F. Rescue lady, Bev will come and spring ya outta here. You won't be here long." I wasn't either, well sort of. I had to stay a little while because they took off my back training wheels, if you know what I mean. Humans call it neutering. The other dogs clued me in about where I was and day by day some of them found new homes! Boy, was I excited for them! I didn't mind being there either. They talked so sweet to me and they were getting rid of those itchy things on me. So I just waited patiently ... dreaming of the day Bev would come. The angel the old timer told me about.

I was so excited the day my first angel, Bev came! Now I call her my Aunt Bev because she will always be in my heart and part of my family. My Aunt Bev rescues little tykes like me, finding them new homes full of love and good care. She put me in her car and I never looked back! I didn't really understand what was going on. I just knew that she was kind, gentle and for the first time I felt safe and loved. Oooh, what a feeling that was! I wuv my Aunt Bev so much!

It wasn't long before I met my second angel and new foster mom, Jaime. Aunt Bev arranged for her to come and take me home with her till I was well enough to be adopted. I didn't look real good, but she thought I was beautiful! She nursed me, loved and played with me. My MomMom Jaime was so cool cause she knew every doggie game to play and took time to teach me bunches of things! She had two Westies too! Their names were Benny and Jets. Wow, now I had a couple big brothers to ham it up with! I lived with them for three months and couldn't believe how much fun life could be! I got that good loving I had always wanted, romped all day with the boys, had great meals and fell asleep at night knowing I was special. Oh yeah, I had regular meals, water all the time, got to be an 'inside' guy. At night me, Ben & Jets piled into bed with our MomMom. I was also turning into a real looker. I was gaining weight and my hair was coming back! Whew, so this was what it is really all about! Love, sweet love.

Well, the day came when I was well enough and it was time for my Aunt Bev to find me what would be my permanent home. You see, my MomMom Jaime nurtured me so well that I was ready in just about three months for my next and final big step. It was going to be hard to leave the only real 'mom' I ever knew. I was sure going to miss those rowdy brothers of mine too. All that lovin I would have to leave, not knowing if I would ever see them again. I was very sad, yet at the same time I was so happy to have this world new world opened to me. I was smart enough to know that my Aunt Bev and MomMom, Jaime wouldn't just give me to anybody. So when I heard the news some nice lady was coming to see me...well, I just had to trust them. I mean they sure had come through for me so far!

Boy, do I remember that day. It was a Sunday and she was driving from another town to see me. If she passed my Aunt and MomMom's inspection, she might get to be my Mommy. Well, as soon as she saw me she started to cry and I thought 'what did I do?'. Then I heard her say she just couldn't help herself because I was so beautiful! Oh yeah, I think I like this lady! She will do just fine! It was a real hard day because I was going to get this great home but to do it I had to leave a great home, foster MomMom and my two brothers. My MomMom Jaime was crying too. She had known this day would come. She had worked so hard for me to have it, yet there was a great sadness in her because she loved me so much. I knew when Aunt Bev and MomMom gave their approval to this lady, things would be just fine. Besides, they promised to visit and bring the boys and my new Mommy Lee promised to visit. So like a big boy I got in the car for another new adventure. I had just met my third angel!

Well, let me tell you! At first I was a little shy. You see, I have what they call submissive urination. My Mommy Lee knows it really isn't my fault and she's been working with me on that little problem. Know what? I have been getting much better about it and my Mom says pretty soon it will just be yesterdays news! My Mommy Lee is the nuts and I am spoiled rotten. You see, it is just me and her so I get all the attention and all her lovin! I have lots of toys, treats and great food. We walk together and she is always chatting with me in that good doggie talk. She even sings songs to me! We go for rides in the car, playplay together...well, we just do everything together! She keeps me looking real handsome and I have already met my new vet and have been groomed too! My mommy says I shine brighter than any star in the sky. I have new doggie friends and we go over to their house. My mom visits with the humans and I play with my new buddies and chase them around the yard. Want to hear something really tender? My mom says she will love me and care for me till one of us has to be with God. I love her so much. It's just wonderful knowing I am loved just as much in return!

I know I will live happily ever after....thanks to my Aunt Bev, Foster MomMom Jaime, Benny, Jets and my Mommy, Lee!

Well, that is the story of one lucky fella. Some poor doggies never have an angel in their lives, yet I have three. I figure God sent me one to make up for each year of my old 'life'!