Name/Age: Casey Jones - approx. 5 y/o
Family Members: ): Bill & Jill , Michaela (22) who visits home from college and is his favorite human in the world. Fur siblings are Cookie Louise (Chihuahua – 9 years old) and Ralphie (Cat – stray approximately 5 years old)
How long has Casey been in the family? 2 years as of July 7, 2019
Profession: Bill - Salesperson Jill- Paralegal
Location: Marietta, GA.
Nicknames: Case Case, Doofus, Casey Boy, A-Aron, Buddy
5 words/phrases that best describe Casey Jones?
Sweet
Goody
Fun
Bouncy
Happy
What makes Casey unique? Casey is very bouncy but loves to cuddle. Every night when it’s time for bed we say “it’s time for night night” and he runs back to his crate and snuggles with his giant stuffed rabbit Mr. Bunny.
Cooling off on a warm day! (name sake hint on his leash)
Rescue Story: We attended the Lifeline event at DeKalb County Animal Services when they were closing to move to their new facility. We had no plans to adopt a dog but were there to support Lifeline. Walking through I came around the corner and saw this beat up, scared dog in a kennel with 4 other dogs jumping all around him. He was just leaning against the wall with his face against the fencing. Not moving, totally shut down with no hope or light in his eyes. He had a huge neck scar and scars all over his face and head with bite scars up and down his body. I told my husband I wanted to take him out to the meet and greet area and he asked “are you sure you want this one?” I can’t explain it but when I looked in his eyes I knew he was meant to be mine. When we got him outside, he low crawled over to us, but his tail was giving little wags and he laid his head on our laps. We were told he had been chained up his entire life and had obviously been in some fights, but his disposition was so sweet even when he met our less than sweet Chihuahua who snarled and snapped. He just licked her and continued to wag his tail. He had a horrible kennel cough and ear infections with goop coming out of his eyes. We got antibiotics, took him to our vet when we got him home and within a few months his infections had cleared up. He still has BB pellets in his back right hip and a scar that hasn’t been covered once his hair grew in, but he has grown into a beautiful boy (although he still gets nervous around other dogs, especially when they bark, and he doesn’t like his legs pulled on or his paws touched).
What a difference a loving home makes!
What is your favorite pastime as a family? We love to walk with Casey in our neighborhood and hiking around various Georgia parks. He loves going to Tuscaloosa to see our daughter at the University of Alabama and makes friends wherever he goes.
What is life like since you rescued Casey Jones? Casey has shown us what it means to truly forgive and love unconditionally. He does not have any bad days despite his really bad start. It took him a while to learn to be a dog as he didn’t know anything – how to ride in a car, how to go up and down stairs, how to get up and lie on a sofa, how to play with a toy, how to eat a treat or know that he wasn’t going to be hit any time we moved. He is a fun loving sweetheart and he’s taught us to really enjoy each and every day. Casey has also changed perceptions in our family about pit bull type breeds. My dad was concerned when we first got him as he had heard such bad things about them and now he loves Casey, has him over to his house to hang out and says Casey really changed his mind about pit bull type dogs. Casey has also made me more of an advocate for not only pit bull type dogs but for all the dogs who are in shelters, rescues and other circumstances in which they need homes and I am now actively involved in transporting adoptable dogs and participating in adoption events. He is our heart.
Photographers Note: I met up with Bill, Jill & Casey at Mabry Park. Casey was very excited to be on this adventure whatever it might be. He was all wiggles and smiles; his coat just gleaming in the sunshine. (a big difference from the day he was brought home). I saw no hint of the scared pup he was at the shelter. He clearly has many reasons to be but this boy has hit the jack pot! His family has worked with him to help him gain his confidence,understand that most humans are good people and to really enjoy life (although I would bet some of the latter was always there). With all that work and his amazing personality, he is changing perceptions all on his own. It’s amazing how much just one loved pup can do. I even heard promises of hamburgers at a restaurant after the shoot because he was such a good boy. Pretty sure his life on a chain has been left in the rear view, as he sits in his air conditioned van, with a big smile on his face heading to that reward!