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Meet Chip.

He's a very happy, confident, and smart little yellow dude--probably a lab and dachshund mix--about a year old.

He spent his first year of life fending for himself as a stray, dumped by somebody that had no idea what a remarkable boy he is. The southern rural counties of Missouri are full of throwaway dogs living and dying as best they can in forests, farm fields and trash heaps.

The luckiest of them find their way to the few rural stray rescues--mostly just individuals with kind hearts. There's very little infrastructure to deal with unwanted companion animals in these poor rural pockets of our state. Chip was saved by a woman who singlehandeldy runs a little rescue effort from her home and yard in Bollinger County--as remote and poor a place as can be found anywhere in farm country. She's a retired breeder and dog trainer, and has mustered a few of the rural vets to help her provide triage care to the 40 or so dogs she takes in.

And through her efforts, Chip is now clean, flea-free, comfortable, and snoozing on my kitchen floor with his belly full of fresh chicken.

He's heart worm negative, but positive for Erlichia. It's apparently a mild case, and he's had one course of antibiotic. A visit to our vet this week for a going over will tell us more.

I'm already amazed at this little guy. Within two minutes of putting a collar and leash on him, he'd figured out the "walk next to me and stop when I stop" game. He slept all night in his crate without a peep. Peeing outdoors like a champ.

The rest of my pack has welcomed him with curious wags.

He sure does sound smart, learning so fast.

Congratulations on finding each other!



(Check out the size of those feet! )

Well his bread landed butter side up! Cracking looking chap.

Look forward to the christmas photo with him looking regal along side the rest of the pack

Tracy, congratulations to all of you on your new pack member. What a handsome and happy looking guy he is!

The scenario you describe with the stray situation is sad indeed, and is common in many areas. It's easy for those of us who love dogs to get discouraged and overwhelmed, but people like you and the woman who runs that rescue are proof positive that we can make a difference, one person, one dog, one day at a time.

It goes without saying, but I'll say it anyway -- Chip is a lucky, lucky dog.

I'm not a fan of Labradors, their mixes, and I especially am not a fan of yellow labs or dogs that look like yellow labs. It's a silly prejudice that I haven't been able to shake for a very long time.
However, there's something in his eyes that screams 'I'm a really good dog!' and I fell in love with his picture. Congrats to you for finding such a beautiful animal with character and charm spilling out of him even through a photo.

I'll say Christmas came early for Chip this year. I hope he realizes what a lucky, lucky dog he is.

Thank you Tracy for taking this guy in and providing him a wonderful home.

 Quote: SamanthaTopper

..... there's something in his eyes that screams 'I'm a really good dog!' and I fell in love with his picture. Congrats to you for finding such a beautiful animal with character and charm spilling out of him even through a photo.

Tracy's household is known for good-dog picking.

Handsome little guy. Congrats to you all for the new addition of the family!

There is something about the look in his eyes that touched my heart.

Looking forward to a lot of pictures and a lot of updates!

!!!!Lab and a Dachs!!!! I think someone had to put him up to it.