Top Happy Ending of 2012: Dora the Shih Tzu

Thursday, December 27, 2012 - 2:45pm

As 2012 draws to a close, we’re thinking back on some of our favorite rescue stories of the year. One of them has to be Dora’s.

On a chilly day last holiday season, the ASPCA rescued Dora, a starving, matted little Shih Tzu with a severely injured tail. Back then, she was weak, terrified and emaciated. 

But slowly, Dora began to gain weight and strength. She started to gain confidence, too, and as 2012 began, Dora’s spirited personality started to shine through.

That’s when world-renowned designer and architect Robert Couturier learned about Dora. A steadfast ASPCA supporter with three Shih Tzus of his own, he was deeply moved by her story. Within a week, he became her new foster parent.

“She slept in my arms the whole time on the way home,” Robert remembers. “It was as if she could finally sleep, and that she knew nothing bad was ever going to happen to her anymore.”

At his Connecticut country house, Robert introduced Dora to his boyfriend, Jeffrey, who fell in love with her immediately. Then he gave Dora a toy. She took it to her crate and looked at him with wide, cautious eyes, as if to ask: Is it OK for me to keep something of my very own?

“Of course it’s OK,” Robert told her, his heart breaking a little. He scooped her up and carried her with him all evening, just as he does now whenever they are together.

These days, Dora sleeps between her guardians’ pillows and enjoys playing with her favorite canine sibling: five-year-old Hercule, who fell head over heels for her the first day they met. “He’s her knight,” Robert jokes.

In October, Robert and Jeffrey adopted Dora. That makes it official: For the first time in her young life, Dora was home for the holidays.

If Robert’s acts of kindness don’t melt your heart, we don’t know what will. We’re so glad these two found each other!

If you’d like to help animals like Dora—those who are still out there, waiting to be saved—please give to the ASPCA here. (Psst: Give before January 1 and you’ll snag a last-minute tax break.)

And if you’ve got a great 2012 rescue story of your own, tell us in the comments!

Tags: 
Adoption

Comments

Fri, 12/28/2012 - 17:20 — Emma (Visitor)
The beautiful photo of Mr. Couturier and his adopted dogs swelled my heart. I am so totally happy for sweet Dora who had such a horrific start in life. The generous and kind Mr. Couturier has replaced cruelty and selfishness with love, kindness, care, and respect. He deserves every animal lover's gratitude and praise.

Sat, 12/29/2012 - 12:40 — sierra sprinkle (Visitor)
well people like you love animals i hade a dog and she was going to have babys and my whole family went to my grandmas birthday and she got stollen.

Sat, 12/29/2012 - 12:43 — sierra sprinkle (Visitor)
well people like you love animals i had a dog and she was going to have babys and my whole family went to my grandmas birthday and she got stollen but we do not know who stoll her or i would have her right now but i hope who ever has her is not being mean to her.

Sat, 12/29/2012 - 12:44 — sierra sprinkle (Visitor)
well people like you love animals i had a dog and she was going to have babys and my whole family went to my grandmas birthday and she got stollen but we do not know who stoll her or i would have her right now but i hope who ever has her is not being mean to her.

Sat, 12/29/2012 - 00:16 — Emma (Visitor)
Robert and Jeffrey, you are such good men for your loving kindness. Dora is so lucky to be with you. She is a little angel. Congratulations to you both on the aodption of Dora.

Sat, 12/29/2012 - 06:59 — Peter Willems (Visitor)
What a wonderful and moving story! Robert and Jeffrey: you both are the TOP. Greetings from the Netherlands (EUR)

Sat, 12/29/2012 - 13:38 — AnneMargaret (Visitor)
THANK YOU and may God bless you! I'm sure this little girl know how lucky she is. I often think that they rescue us instead of us rescuing them. <3

Sat, 12/29/2012 - 15:09 — Jacklon (Visitor)
When I read this story, tears came to my eyes. Two yrs ago I was given a Shih Tzu by a lady who had adopted him for her parents then found that they didn't want a dog. His name is Sam and he is the light of my life. My lil man sam.

Sat, 12/29/2012 - 18:05 — Sherry Hoon (Visitor)
So happy that Dora found someone who will love and care for her. My two little adoptees are the light of my life.

Sat, 12/29/2012 - 18:35 — Vicky S. (Visitor)
In late 2005, I lost one of my beloved cats (Bastet) to complications related to old age. Her little sister Matisse was sad and lonely; she needed a new sibling. I visited a local shelter with NO intentions of adopting a cat that day; I was just going to "look around." I wanted a Himalayan or Siamese, female only. However, as soon as I opened the door at the local cat hospital, I heard a kitten crying. LOUD! I looked at the friend who was visiting with me and said, "That's my cat." Following the mournful cry, I found a sort of cute kitten in a pet carrier. When we opened the carrier door, I found NOT a Himalayan, nor Siamese, nor a girl. I found a tiny, frightened Maine Coon boy. He was eight weeks old, and so very lonely and scared. When I picked him up, he stopped crying and held on to me for dear life. Upon investigation, I learned that the little boy's mother had been abandoned in a trailer park. She passed away, but not before giving birth to three kittens. I fell in love with the little boy, and decided to adopt him. His name is da Vinci after my favorite artist and inventor. I'm grateful that the universe led only me to da Vinci because he developed a health issue -- manageable, but an issue that one needs to know how to look for. Before we got his problem under control, I spent several nights with him (at different times) in the local veterinary ER. I believe that if someone with less experience with cats had adopted my baby that he might have died. Today, my big, beautiful Maine Coon enjoys his home, his big sister Matisse whom he adores, good food, safety, and only occasional needs for medicine. He and Matisse are very best friends -- and the loves of my life. If you are doubt about adopting a pet, then please speak with an adoption counselor at ASPCA or other local organization to find out if you're ready for a pet. You need to understand about pet care, what they need to feel happy and secure, and about how much you'll need to spend in health maintenance each year, including good-quality food, vaccinations, dental visits, and (hopefully) rare vet visits for medicine. Happy New Year from da Vinci, Matisse, and Vicky!

Sat, 12/29/2012 - 18:49 — Patty Cunniff (Visitor)
Thank God for people like you ,Robert. For as long as I live I will never understand how anyone could mistreat such an innocent animal.

Sat, 12/29/2012 - 21:31 — KittyKitty (Visitor)
You two gentlemen are simply the best and all heart. I love you and your story taking in a sweet dog who needed you and you love.

Sun, 12/30/2012 - 14:04 — Stan Jones (Visitor)
Your recent ad that plays the sacred song, Silent Night, is so offensive that it mutes all of your good intentions. I could never support you since you have such a hatred for that that we hold sacred.

Sun, 12/30/2012 - 16:26 — Jen (Visitor)
Yes thanks for bringing my 4 year old to inconsolable tears while the commercial break during Rudolph's Shiny New Year, great choice for placement.

Wed, 01/02/2013 - 00:46 — Cindy Spitman (Visitor)
Ummmm... The organization placing ads is given a period of time during which their commercials will be shown, for example "between 6 and 10 p.m." The network determines the exact placement. Please do not hold against the ASPCA something over which they had no control. Please vent your displeasure to the network execs - they are the individuals who can fix it.

Sun, 12/30/2012 - 20:53 — Jane Lester (Visitor)
I donate $25.00 each month taken out of my master card regularly. it bring tears to my eyes watching your commercials. i would take all of them if i could. so far, we have rescued 6 dogs and 1 cat. one was a blue tick hound that maybe weighed ten pounds. i got into her kennel crying, she came up to me and put her little head on my shoulder. it was to be her last day. i held her loved her and yes!!!brought her home! amazing what love and food can do. today, she still loves to snuggle with me and give kisses.i know for sure she loves me---and probably knows i rescued her. today she is a beautiful 41 pounds. it's such a pleasure to see her run and play with my other dogs. i love that dog. me being an A.S.P.C.A.guardian would ask if you would send me a t-shirt

Sun, 12/30/2012 - 21:18 — tomeeka (Visitor)
I live n new jersey my kids wants a dog, unfortunately I can't afford one, I can have a small one dat stays small, inbox info

Wed, 01/02/2013 - 19:12 — ANNETTE (Visitor)
YES THIS STORY BROUGHT ME TO TEARS.. AND YES I SUPPORT ASPCA.. THANKS FOR BRINGING THIS STORY TO US.. I'M SOO TOUCHED BY DORAS STORY.. THANK GOD SHE FOUND YOU TWO.. YOU WILL NEVER KNOW TRUE JOY AND UNCONDITIONAL LOVE UNTIL YOU RESCUE.. ITS THE GREATEST FEELING EVER.. THEY GIVE YOU SOMETHING YOU DIDNT KNOW YOU WERE MISSING.. AND I WILL RESCUE FOREVER!!

Fri, 01/25/2013 - 15:42 — Debbie (Visitor)
What a beautiful story. God bless all that adopt animals and people

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