Just before the long holiday weekend, blind Willie and his family came back for a wonderful visit with us. Katie G. adopted Willie the Beagle in June 2007, a few days after getting married. She and her new husband, Greg, picked up Willie on their way to Twentynine Palms, California, where Greg was stationed with the U.S. Marine Corps. Katie had been a volunteer at the ranch and that’s how she came to know Willie, who was a very timid soul at the time.
In the past year, Katie and Greg had an adorable baby girl, Jacky, who you see on Katie’s lap in the photo. (Greg is currently serving in Iraq and hasn’t seen his daughter yet!) Also in the photo is Zeus, a dog who Greg rescued a few years ago. Another soldier had owned Zeus and was trying to turn him into a fighting dog — by beating him and then starving him. Greg saved Zeus from this terrible situation, although it took a long time for Zeus to even trust Greg. Katie said that for the first few months, Zeus would hide in the bedroom and whenever Greg would walk by the door, Zeus would begin urinating submissively out of fear.
To this day Zeus is afraid of other men, Katie says, though she was surprised to see Zeus immediately warm up to me. While I was sitting on the floor in the welcome center, Zeus walked right over, licked me in the face, and then laid down next to me. Katie was astonished and said, "I’ve never seen him do that!" (It’s the beard, I tell you.)
Interestingly enough, that’s how it was with Willie and Katie. Willie would slink from most people, but whenever he would hear Katie’s voice on our volunteer days, his tail would go up and he would start running in circles, baying. It was if he were announcing, "Katie’s coming! Katie’s coming!"
Willie has blossomed into the perfect family pet and has really come out of his shell. In fact, he’s become the family protector of sorts! When big Zeus gets afraid, he goes and hides behind Willie. Katie says that whenever Jacky is upset and cries, Willie starts baying to let Katie know something’s wrong with the baby. And when Jacky is getting her bath, Willie whines and barks as if something isn’t quite right about that, either — maybe it’s how he feels about getting his own bath?
Willie’s favorite thing, Katie reports, is going for a ride in the baby stroller! While Jacky rides up above in the main compartment, Willie loves to sit underneath in the sling. And that’s how Katie takes them all for a walk … Zeus on a leash and Jacky and Willie in the baby stroller.
Willie has come a long way, and bless Katie and Greg for taking this boy into their lives. We’re wishing for Greg’s safe and speedy return home to his family!
Rolling Dog Farm Blog 
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