My Sweet Astrid
Thursday, May 23, 2013
By: Joya Pando

Rescued and much loved

In May 2009 I decided I wanted to look into getting a dog to add to our family. I wanted it to be a young, small male with short fur. I went to the front desk at the HSHV and said I'm looking for a dog. It has to be good with kids and cats. The girl said I have someone that would be perfect... They had just rescued 33 dogs from a breeder, and the cages were filled with Schnauzers and Airdales as we walked past them. That's where we met a Standard Schnauzer named Mercedes. I knew she was special right away. We took her out for a walk and she let my 4 year old daughter lead her around. She had the sweetest, most gentle disposition. But I could tell from the look in her eyes that she had been through some tough times, and just needed love. Love that we could give her. This dog was not young, not male, not small, and didn't have short fur - but she was everything I never knew I always wanted.

Since we are coming up on her 4 year adoption birthday, I just wanted to thank the HSHV for doing the work that they do. Mercedes (now Astrid) has brought so much joy to my life. She has been a constant, even when everything around me was changing. Always excited to see me, always waiting for me at the top of the stairs-even when I just go down to do laundry, always able to take my mind off of whatever was happening in my life just by going out for a walk with me, always protective, always there.

She's getting older now, and has some health issues that have slowed her down, but her sweet spirit is still the same. Every day with her is precious now, and I'm so grateful to the HSHV for bringing her into my life.