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My girls came to me by happenstance.

Almost three years ago, my daughter and her mother adopted these two beautiful Chiweenies. Unfortunately, several months later, a family member became terminally ill, and I was asked to look after them on a temporary basis. I obliged as long as my golden didn't object, and, of course, she did not. In fact, she loved them like they were her own.

About a year later, they were still with me, but my golden had come to the end of her life. She had been with us for 12 years. It was devastating for all, including my adult children and the Chiweenies.

A month later, we lost our family member. Again, devastation. Needless to say, over the previous year-plus, I had become quite attached to the Chiweenies, and this was especially true since the loss of our golden. I began to fret that they would soon be going "home". Fortunately, my former spouse recognized my attachment to them and theirs to me and allowed me to "keep" them.

It has now been almost two-and-a-half years since they came to my home, and they greet me every day with excitement and love. They are always by my side when I'm not working, and they sleep on my bed with their own comforter into which they burrow themselves every night.

I would never have thought that I could become so attached to two small dogs. I have always thought of myself as a "big dog man". In fact, I used to tease my father about his two Poms, but now as a single father empty nester, I am so glad that they are here to fill my heart and keep me company.

Stella and Piper, my Chiweenies, are now my girls and I am forever grateful to have them despite the sad circumstances which brought them to me.

Story submitted by Jim Matthews from Sarasota, Florida.

This story was originally shared on The Animal Rescue Site. Share your very own rescue story here!