The Little Engine Who Does

 Sue McBride was glued to her TV last June when an older beagle available for adoption at the ASPCA was featured on The Today Show. The Michigan resident fell head over heels for the pooch, named Tommy, and immediately called our headquarters.

“Frankly,” says Sue, “the people whom I talked to thought I was crazy to be interested in a dog all the way in New York City—and I even wondered myself! I had just lost my 15-year-old beagle, Clarence, and knew someday I’d have another dog. I just didn’t realize how soon—or that he’d be 11 1/2 years old!”

Sue drove 13 hours to the Big Apple, and recalls that several people waiting to adopt were amazed that she’d come all the way from Michigan to meet a dog. “He was not just a dog,” Sue explains. “He was TOMMY!”

Their initial meeting wasn’t exactly out of a fairy tale. “When I first saw him, he wasn’t too interested,” Sue recalls. “But it was love at first sight for me, and I knew he’d come around.”

Tommy did acquiesce on the ride home, and also conveyed to his new mom that he’s not afraid to make his needs known. “We stopped several times to give him a chance to stretch his legs,” says Sue. “If we didn’t let him out, he’d start barking. Literally, at every toll booth, old Tom would start howling, giving us his royal command!”

Five months later, Tommy continues to pursue his station in life. “He chases after his stuffed duck and bone, but never brings them back to you,” says Sue. “And when the weather’s nice, his rescued canine brother and sister, Charlie and Annie, love to chase each other around the backyard. Occasionally, Tommy forgets his age and stature and takes off after them. He puts his whole heart into it and looks like he’s puffing, ‘I think I can, I think I can,’” jokes Sue. “He gives it all he’s got, but the short, fat guy loses every time!”

God bless Sue McBride and others like her, stories like this just make me cry, gosh I am such a softy.

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