Reader Rescue Story: Little Ozzie in the Big Apple

Happy Adopt a Shelter Dog Month! Our reader rescue story this week was submitted by Joanna Rodriguez Neumann, who found her perfect match in sweet little Ozzie and adopted him from a New York City shelter.

If you’re the pet parent of a rescued dog, we want to share your story, too! You just might inspire someone else to save a life. For information about submitting your rescue tale, click here.

Earlier this year my husband and I had the amazing opportunity to travel through Europe for six months while he completed his last semester of graduate school and before we made the big move from Atlanta, Ga., to New York City.

While this adventure was a true blessing and we made many memories, toward the end of our trip, all our conversations would turn to adopting a sweet dog when we finally settled down in the big city.

The first few months in NYC were dedicated to furnishing our new apartment and getting to know our new neighborhood. All the while I would research adoptable dogs and visit local rescue shelters two or three times a week, only to be disappointed (yet happy) because these adorable dogs had found new forever homes. I had spent countless hours looking for our new furry child, but always left empty-handed and disappointed.

One morning while strolling the Upper East Side, I made an unscheduled stop at the 59th Street Humane Society and asked to see their adoptable dogs. I was greeted by Bonnie and Lowell, and after they reviewed my file and asked some questions about what type of dog my husband and I were looking for, they introduced me to Ozzie.

As I watched Lowell bring Ozzie around the corner, I knew immediately he was the perfect dog for us. He is an all-black Pomeranian-Papillon mix, with just a hint of white on his belly.

Ozzie sat in my lap and licked my face (which I never used to like, but didn’t seem to mind when he did it). He was very comfortable with me.

There was only one problem – Ozzie had to meet my husband, and there was a chance he could be allergic to this little guy.

That weekend he met Ozzie, and they were a perfect match, too! No allergy problem and they bonded immediately.

We returned the next day to bring home the newest addition to our family, and I have to admit I was nervous! I was worried he would be scared, sad or even distant, but that wasn’t the case. Ozzie made himself at home right away.

He’s been such a blessing to us. We’ve enjoyed watching Ozzie become more and more comfortable in his new forever home with the Neumanns!

PHOTO: Joanna Rodriguez Neumann

i Love Dogs, Inc.

i Love Dogs, Inc.’s three websites – ilovedogs.com, ilovedogfriendly.com and findavet.us – provide information and up-to-the-minute news to keep pet parents aware of all things dog. A premium canine vitamins and lifestyle company, i Love Dogs is famous for its line of diamond dog collars. The name says it all — at i Love Dogs, we are committed to the health and happiness of our canine companions.