Hector is one of Molly's babies who was born in rescue on August 4th, 2006. Molly came to resue from a very high kill shelter in Trenton, NJ, where her and her babies' future were dim.

After coming to rescue, little Hector did great -- he played with the blue pit babies, and with his own siblings, and finally, he was ready to fly the coop.

On October 30th, I received the following --

" Hi, my name is Vlad I live in Toronto, Ontario with my family: my wife Lidia and my 13 year old daughter Andrada. We were looking to adopt a dog (since it is a puppy) and we found this cutie little dog which my daughter (and  my wife and myself) completely fell in love with.

We would like to know if there is any possibility to help us to adopt Hector as we live in a house with a reasonable size fenced  backyard, we are previous dog owners and we promise that we'll love and care this adorable puppy.

Please inform us if there is any special or procedure to bring the dog in Canada as I am able to come to Buffalo to pick it up. Thank you,     Vlad and family"

Well, so many great things were in Vlad's email, that after an application and some leg-work, we headed up to Toronto!

It's worth noting that Toronto is in Ontario province -- which has a ban on pit bulls -- Hector is 0% pit bull -- !!

First things first -- when crossing the border to Canada with a dog, you need to get a health cert. from your vet -- not a big deal --

-- so, once we had our paperwork in hand, we were North-bound --

-- and then came the accident -- !!

This is not a small accident mind you --

-- somewhat frightening that cars can burn like this, in a way --

-- if you look below the smoke, you'll see the Canadian National Tower in the center --

-- and then as we left.

Of course I missed my exit after watching this, so on the way back, I saw the car's passengers, safe and sound, in a squad car --

Next, a stop at the local gas station for some interesting culture --

-- I'll try almost anything once, including drinks that look like concoctions --

-- this mess of Coke and coffee is something I definitely won't re-visit -- !!

I did find, though, my favorite chocolate bar --

-- I LOVE THESE !!

Vlad and his family emigrated from Romania to Canada a few years back --

-- their processing to come to Canada took FOUR YEARS -- !!

They are first generation to Canada, so all of their extended family is still back in Romania.

They said little Hector was like they were -- a new, and proud, Canadian citizen -- !!

-- and he is oh-so-loved.

I really love Molly's babies --

-- I saw them come to rescue in utero, and then be born and to finally develop in to sweet little pups.

These are definitely underdogs -- pups that other than rescue would not have made the shelter environment -- and to see them flourish like this makes me SO PROUD!

-- bahaha --

-- little Hector was sort of like, "Um -- get, get -- I'm HOME" -- !!

So, this family's newest member is welcomed whole-heartedly --

-- and as I left their house, I couldn't help but be so happy with this placement --

-- these are nice, hard-working people who are giving their all to make their new country work -- and they're doing a great job at it --

-- little Hector will provide hours of joy to Vlad and family, as they will give him love in return.

So, in short, it's a wonderful home -- and Hector is very fortunate --

-- but then again, Hector is a wonderful little man, and Vlad and family are really, really happy to have him on board --

Well, here's our little man, two months in to his adoption -- OBVIOUSLY comfortable -- !!

His dad, Vlad, writes --

"Hi Eric,

Happy New Year!!!! 

  Hector is a very playful dog!! He is attached mostly to my daughter, they play all the time together. as for my wife and I, well we usually clean up after him but always find some time to hang out together as a family,  all four of us. I attached a picture of him, if you want to check it out!!!

    Vlad"

Well, this makes me so happy -- I guess because I saw little Hector born to momma Molly this past August, and I went through all his puppy-phases with him, before he went off to Vlad and family in Toronto.

There is no doubt in my mind that Hector is a permanent part of Vlad's family -- and considering the other options he had, back in that cold, difficult New Jersey shelter, it is a miracle, of sorts, he's come this far --

-- and that, we celebrate.

THANK YOU, Vlad and family, for making this little man's life a worthy one!

Well, our little Hector is getting along famously in Toronto --

-- I got this photo entitled "BFF" --

-- that says it all -- :D

Yes, Hector, you and Andrada have truly found best friends forever -- !!

Next, Vlad writes --

"Hey Eric how are you???

I just wanted to send you some pictures of hector when we got him and right now at 10 months old. He grew a lot!!!"

"Also, he learned a new "trick", he sits on command now. He made many new friends including our neighbor Sushi..

Here's the pictures."

So that's our happy ending for the day -- and it makes me feel wonderful --

-- Hec and his family are making each others' lives better, and that's all I could ever wish for in an adoption -- GREAT WORK!

Vlad writes --

"Hey Eric, How are you??

Just thought you should know that we consider ourselves very lucky to have Hector as a part of our family!!"

The real reward in rescuing these pups isn't in the initial placement, but it's in the follow-up --

-- seeing the dogs grow and flourish in their new families, and seeing the families' lives blossom because of these pups.

So, thank you to Vlad and family, for reminding us of the important things in life -- they're not money, they're not status, they're now power --

- instead, they're the love you showed this little man, and the great returns he has given you.