Pippa's Journey: Tail-Wagging Tales of Rescue Dogs

When award- winning outdoors writer Robert Montgomery was ready for another canine companion following the death of his beloved Ursa, he went to a no-kill shelter to adopt a pup. None were available. Saddened, he almost went home empty-handed. Instead, he decided to take a chance. He chose a medium-size, mixed breed dog who spent the first two years of her life at the shelter and seemed destined to live out her days there. In adopting Pippa, Montgomery thought he knew what to expect, since almost everything in the outside world would be new to her. But he didn't know the half of it. In the following weeks, months, and years he and Pippa learned many things together—and they’re still learning. Pippa knew nothing of the outside world. She had never bonded with anyone and didn't know how to love, or be loved. She didn't understand how to play or what it meant to be free to run and run, and then collapse in green grass to roll and moan in life-affirming ecstasy. Early in their relationship, Pippa’s running led to heartbreak and near tragedy.Through the kindness of strangers, a miracle became the pivotal point in helping Pippa learn to trust and love. Pippa not only bonded with the author, she blossomed into a remarkable companion who loves and protects her human. As Montgomery often tells friends, "Every day she makes me smile."