I wish I could meet Scooby’s Mom and thank her for raising such a great son. I’m not sure how long they were even together but she clearly did something right no matter how long it was. Because she instilled in him tremendous kindness, strength, grace and love. And those qualities have guided him through a life filled with too much sadness.

Yet despite it all and every step of the way he continues to maintain an inner sparkle that shines bright. A sparkle that he is quick to share with others in an ongoing hope to brighten their days too. It is his Scooby Sparkle.

We met on August 31, 2011, three years ago today. He had been living on the streets, sleeping in doorways and hunting in gutters for his dinner. But everything changed the moment we met.

As I knelt down to greet him he crawled onto my lap. And then he stretched his 52 pound Beagle-Basset body right up my chest to kiss my face. And he didn’t move. He remained right there, tight against me until I lifted him into the back of my car and drove home.

What I didn’t know at the time was how bad he hurt. That he had an ear infection so painful that both of his ears had swollen shut. That he had a horribly painful spinal infection that made all movement agonizing for him. And if left untreated would likely have killed him.

Yet somehow he hid that pain and found the strength to stretch himself as far as he could to give me kisses.

In terms of guardians (owners), there were as many as nine before me. Think about that. Nine different people that made a commitment to care for Scooby but no one stuck with it.

What that means is that during his first 17 years he found out over and over again what it meant to be left behind. Because it happened to him so many times. He was given to others casually, almost as if it was no big deal.

He was traded. He was bartered. He was even dropped off at a convenience store once. And then the next person would keep him for a while and then they would give him away too. But that will never happen again.

Because Scooby is part of my family now. And I love him more than words can say.

Today I celebrate Scooby. Just as I do every day. And together we celebrate each and every one of you too. Two and four-legged alike.

And when you feel the sadness of losing a beloved animal friend, when you feel the pain of learning about one more animal that has suffered at the hands of mankind, please know that we feel that pain and sadness with you.

But that Scooby feels it even more. Because he lived it.

Over and over and over again he lived it. 17 years of pain and sadness that was 17 years far too long. But never again. Because he’s one of the lucky ones.

That Scooby finds the best in everything is what amazes me most. Because after everything he’s been through it would make complete sense for him to have given up. To never trust again. But he does. And it is an incredible honor.

To celebrate his 20th birthday Scooby donated his treat allowance to The Pongo Fund to help feed other hungry animals. And a generous Pongo donor matched his donation. And they will for you too.

If you would like to join Scooby and help celebrate his birthday with a donation to The Pongo Fund, please know that it will be matched 100%. That’s right. Every single dollar will be doubled and used to purchase the next truckload of dog and cat food needed to restock our nearly empty pet food bank.

The donation link is here: http://bit.ly/1aDadEq .

Sadly there are a lot of other dogs and cats out there just like Scooby. And thankfully The Pongo Fund is here to help all of them. Donations can also be mailed to The Pongo Fund, PO Box 9000, Portland, OR 97207.

I love my Scoobs. And I thank you for loving him too.

“We must enjoy each day – one at a time. We are here on a short visit. Be sure to smell the flowers.” ~ Alfred A. Montapert

Sit. Stay. Eat. Live. thepongofund.org

August 31, 2014