Mariah

Every once in a while, there is a Cinderella story in the rescue world. One of those stories belongs to a jet black dachshund mix named Mariah. "Who would have EVER thought that the very SICKLY dog that was at my house ... who ended up having to be hospitalized, would turn out to be this?" asked Chris Holm, Treasurer of Central Texas Dachshund Rescue after learning about Mariah's first canine agility title three years ago. Mariah on the agility course. And it has been quite the transformation! Just over four years ago, this unwanted little black dog found herself counting her last days at the Brown County Animal Shelter and Humane Society. Admitted to the shelter with her puppies, the puppies were quickly adopted, but no one wanted Mariah. Brown County Animal Shelter contacted CTDR when Mariah's time had run out, and a very ill Mariah entered CTDR's foster program. Eventually, Mariah regained her health and was adopted out. But the adoption didn't last, and CTDR took ownership of Mariah again. Another hopeful adoption took place a few months later, but the "glass slipper" again, didn't seem to fit. This time, however, before CTDR could regain custody, Mariah was passed on to another home. Mariah went through at least three other homes before CTDR miraculously found her again ... just as she was being transported to a kill shelter in Williamson County. CTDR found that the interim time Mariah was out of their custody was not a happy one for her. Evidence of physical abuse (healed broken ribs) and the unstable environments took an emotional toll on Mariah. Mariah's new foster "mom" saw a spark underneath the mound of insecurity she carried however, and started her in an agility class to build her confidence. "The first time I brought her to an agility practice, she ran off and started doing jumps on her own" said Debbie Vogel, Mariah's foster and eventual adopter. "I knew then, that this was the key." Mariah took to Agility like a Labrador Retriever to water. Earning ribbons after only 12 weeks into the sport, shows the obvious; that Mariah found her "Happily Ever After" dream! Three years have passed and Mariah reached a milestone by earning a place on the North American Dog Agility Council (NADAC) top ten list for 2008! She tied for 5th place in North America for the 8" Mixed Breed Touch and Go Category. "I didn't even know she had made the list," Debbie said. "We were at a competition in February and people came up to us, congratulating us on our accomplishment!" Mariah currently competes at the Elite level in NADAC, Superior level in TDAA (Teacup Dog Agility Association) and is quickly moving to the Masters Level in the USDAA (United States Dog Agility Association). "It never ceases to amaze me, that people didn't want her ... that they just threw her away," Debbie said. The former unwanted little black dog turned out to be a rare gem! Debbie Vogel