Photo taken by our awesome wedding photographer - Kelly Sweet

This is my little Wins-man.  Eric and I adopted our little angel Winston just over five years ago from the Los Angeles County Shelter in Baldwin Park after he’d been found on the streets of Azusa.  He was only about 3-4 months old and was terribly sick with kennel cough.  When I first met him he was back in the corner of his cage and wouldn’t come to the front.  The little girl who was a similar age and size was full of life, playful and super sweet but I found that she already had 2 people on her waiting list (at that shelter they spay/neuter after one person shows interest in adopting but allows one other person to be on the list just in case the first person doesn’t take the dog after all).  Winston however only had one person on his list, so I figured I’d put my name down and if he even were to come available (providing that other family didn’t take him), then I’d go back to play with him and make a decision.  Five days later I called and Winston was mine for the taking.  I hopped in the car for the one hour drive out to Baldwin Park, feeling reserved about meeting with this little guy who had not even looked in my direction at our first encounter.  When I arrived I walked up to his cage where he stood on his hind legs, up against the chain link fence whimpering and yelping.  I took one look at him, stuck a few fingers through the fence to touch his nose and told him I’d be back in a flash.  I just KNEW he was the one for me.  I seriously didn’t even take the time to have a worker pull him out to get to know him.  I just HAD to rescue him as fast as I could.  While inside I discovered he’d been sick and apparently it started the day I’d first met him – which explains why he wouldn’t even get up to greet me – he was feeling miserable!  Unfortunately it was a rough start for him but after a couple of weeks we nursed him to health.  His little five pound body quickly grew bigger and stronger.  Winston is the sweetest little guy.  Every day when I get home from work I sit on the couch while he covers me in kisses and snuggles up close making me feel so glad to be home.  We’re so blessed to have him in our lives.  If you haven’t already discovered the unconditional love of a shelter dog, I highly suggest you do.  There are far too many dogs and cats in shelters that desperately need homes.  Opt to adopt – please don’t buy a dog from a breeder and especially not a pet store!