I was in the Middleburg Humane Society for about two weeks before I found myself dressed up as a deer. Yeah, that's right, a deer. On December 8th, 2012, I was paraded down route 50 in Middleburg, Va, during the Middleburg Christmas Parade. There were thousands of humans, red and green decorations, and music. I was honestly not in the mood. I was just taken out of a very abusive situation and still had some bite marks on my body from some mean dogs. But, I had to do what they said, so I put on my reindeer ears, and off I went to the parade. Oh, by the way, my name was NOT Hazel. It was Sassy. I know, Sassy Sweitzer sounds like I worked at Hooters. Anyways...

I was trying to keep up with the other 30 dogs who were sadly on display. Cheers and hoots and hollers from the crowd filled the air. In front of me was a High School Marching Band and behind me was a camel. Camels are strange. I tried to talk to him, but he wanted nothing to do with me. So, I was about 15 minutes into this very long parade when a man's voice in a microphone said, "Are you looking for someone new to love? You may find them in this group from Middleburg Humane Society" He was talking about us.

I realized I was adoptable. I had no home and wasn't feeling very loved. "All of these dogs are up for adoption," the strange man said. I glanced over and saw him standing tall on a porch with tons of people around him. He had more wild hair than me, totally out of control.

Then...

"I'll Take that one?"

"What?"

"That one there!" The man said to my handler. He pointed to me.

Me? He wants me?!!!!!!!

My handler looked confused and asked, "Are you serious?"

The man on the microphone said, "YES!"

He met us after the parade, and along with a boy named Kyle, they took me home. That strange man was Tom - he became my dad that day. It seemed he needed my kind of love.

The boy was Kyle, a boy Tom helped. Kyle became my brother.

That was eight years ago today. I also fell in love with my town and all the people that live here love me because I am cute and know it.

I was ready to give up and had no idea love would come to me during a parade. I never can thank Tom enough for being my home and all the people that care for me. I am blessed!

All of us need a home, and just when you think that no one can love you, that might be the moment when you are most lovable!