An ungainly, muscular body, square oversized head, but oh, that smile - that ear-to-ear, tail-wagging smile! That’s the healed and renewed Sheba, but her beginnings were nothing to smile about.
On a snowy, post-Christmas holiday trip to the familiar “no kill” pound to deliver a gift for the staff, the Porters learned of the hundreds of dogs that were disposed of by heartless owners. Although they had eleven rescues at home already, they were “assaulted” by pleading eyes and wagging tails. In a lonely corner pen, a trembling, obviously abused pup curled tightly in a fetal position. After hearing her story - used as bait to training fighting dogs then thrown in a trash heap - the Porters kindly took her home to give her love and care. Though it was expected the young dog had little time left to live, she deserved a noble name - Sheba, as in Queen of Sheba, one of the most beautiful women of her time.
Introduction to the others in the family of dogs went swimmingly; they seemed to sense the suffering Sheba had endured, her precarious condition, and they gave her a warm and gentle welcome then left her in peace to heal and adjust. One cannot but assume that this was the result of the love given to them and the doggies wanted to pay it forward.
From a trembling injured young girl who could barely walk or eat, Sheba’s spirit shone through and there was hope that she would survive and thrive. Being in a home that was safe, secure and bursting with kindness was the panacea Sheba needed. Gradually, she began to take on the habits of the other dogs, enjoyed the feel of grass beneath her feet, luxuriated in her grooming time, reveled in playing fetch, and gave love kisses to Brian. Sheba was happy.
Because of her tormented life, Sheba had deformities and infirmities and needed constant attention, medications and procedures, and drew stares from neighbors for her emaciated appearance. But she had a puppy-like instinct for play and an innate instinct for survival. Sheba’s history encouraged Porter to learn all he could about the cruel and criminal world of dog fighting. Although he doesn’t hold back on the grisly truths of Sheba’s abuse and the injuries she endured before they rescued her, the dog-fighting stories were tear-inducing and not appropriate to put in the book that might be read by children.
Memories of being attacked by a fighting dog imprinted fears in Sheba’s mind. When being approached in the doggie park by another, albeit friendly, dog she might perceive as being aggressive, Sheba would react in self-defense. Professional behavioral training helped work through this and other anxieties. Her physical and emotional transformation was so remarkable that Sheba was awarded Rescue Pet of the Month on a pet-related website.
Sheba was the first Staffy (Staffordshire Bull Terrier) the Porters had adopted, but not the last. Soon a new rescue was added to the family. Sasha was “adopted” by Sheba and a beautiful co-dependent friendship was born. Later the two became surrogate moms to more new puppies (Muffin, Digby and Petal). Caring for a large family of needy dogs is exhausting and time-consuming, but Porter encourages others to adopt a rescue, for the experience is rich in its own rewards. His books are the perfect primer for anyone contemplating such a heroic endeavor.
All the dogs’ stories intertwine in this and the other seven books in the Family of Rescue Dogs series. As the stories go back and forward in time we learn how all the dogs had suffered inhumanely, were rescued and rehabilitated into loving, trusting pets. Despite their varied heartbreaking histories, with the Porters they feel safe, secure, and cherished. In turn, they love, feel gratitude, give loyalty and comfort. They know they are in Heaven - on Earth.
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Reviewed in the United States on February 1, 2023
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Top reviews from other countries
Andrew Mackey
Sheba from he'll to happiness
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on July 8, 2023
Jan H
Wonderful heartwarming story from a first class author. Very highly recommended.
Reviewed in Spain on July 30, 2017
Kindle Customerr Peter Roberts
Read Sasha and now Sheba enjoyed both immensely. Need to update laws concerning cruelty to anima,ls
Reviewed in Australia on September 27, 2019