in Duncan BC, the heart of the Cowichan Valley on Vancouver Island.

Digby, our beloved companion and friend

After praising the benefits of owning a pet, Ted and I decided to check out the SPCA in Duncan. We moved to the Cowichan Valley last June and purchased a beautiful home with a great hiking trail right out our front door…literally! What a great place for a dog to run!

With our minds made up to just go and have a look…yes, just a look…. we set out for the local Duncan SPCA. I am sure half the people reading this are chuckling,

Just to have a look huh? Once you get inside the door of this place you will be lucky to leave with just one pet! Oh so true!

We walked and looked and our guide Janine explained the background of each dog and the circumstances in which they were found.

I was so torn by every pair of sad eyes that looked my way. How was I to choose just one? They all needed us!

We walked by a very dim lit cage. At first I did not see an occupant. At closer look I spotted two tan feet sticking straight up and I thought some one had stuck a big stuffed toy in there!
Janine whispered, "This is Digby".

Suddenly this big old guy struggled to his feet and hobbled over to us. He looked straight at me and into my heart. I fell in love! I never looked into eyes more gentle and accepting. I had a gut feeling about this dog. Digby was meant for us.

I had heard stories about Rottweilers and after adopting Digby I am a firm believer that a dog is as individual as a human. There are good, bad and ugly everywhere but this Rottweiler is not the way he is portrayed in the media.

Digby is about twelve and had been at the shelter for about a year. He was found starving and very emaciated. I cannot imagine that he did not find a home right away, as he is an incredible companion. We took him home and he has been everything I thought and more.

Gentle, patient, loving, well mannered and the best friend you could ever want! After all he has been through, he is still so gentle and his sweet nature has not been affected by the abuse that he suffered.

Ted and I are hikers and very active. We love the island for its nature trails and oh ... so many mountains to climb on Vancouver Island! We were looking for a hiking companion but unfortunately Digby is unable to hike. He has very bad arthritis and suffers from hip dysplasia. Undeterred, we adopted him anyway.

He is always waiting for us with a wag of his stubby tail and smiling!! I tell him about our adventures and he listens with his head tilted and his eyes never leaving mine. At night I hear him dreaming and I know he is walking with us because I hear his little sounds of joy and indeed his legs are moving effortlessly.

Who knows what far away mountains he is running up or what wonderful smells he is discovering!

He gives us so much joy! We are so lucky to be chosen by such a beautiful dog. We feel truly blessed. Visit our Duncan SPCA. I dare ya! Doreen