Winston, the rescuer

3-year-old rescued fox terrier comes into woman's life after her 2 longtime pets die

One of the greatest blessings I've had in my 59 years was knowing Murphy, my wire haired fox terrier.

Murphy was my very best friend and did everything with me from hiking to fishing, kayaking, golfing and working. You name it, Murphy did it.

Arantxa was my other wire hair fox terrier and Murphy's mate. As Murphy got older, he developed a heart condition that slowed him down but never stopped him. In August, I finally lost him to a stroke. Having to put him down was the hardest thing I have ever had to do. I was devastated and missed him so badly.

Arantxa missed him, too, and died on my back porch less than two months later of a broken heart. I cried and cried, finding it so hard to lose both my best friends in less than two months.

Then a friend called me about a 3-year-old fox terrier that needed a new home. He was a rescue dog who had been in three families and had three different names in his short little life.

When I saw a picture of him, I knew I had to save him. Well, that happened, but what also happened I never expected.

Winston, his fourth and final name, ended up being the rescuer as well as the rescued. Winston came into my life at just the right time. And he rescued me from my depression and loneliness.

It took a few months for him to trust in me -- that I was not going to give him away like his former owners -- but I could tell that he began to sense that I needed him as much as he needed me. So we both took a chance and gave each other our hearts. Now, Winston is my best friend, my constant companion and my sweetest Valentine.

Becky Parris

Isle of Palms

Compiled by Brenda Rindge. Got a pet? Tell us about it. We want to tell your stories and run your pictures of Rover, Boots and even Ziggy on our Pets page. If it's furry, feathered or slithery, and you love it, tell us why in 250 words or less. If it's a hero, tell us. If it's a "character," share the antics. Send pictures (in JPEG format via e-mail) or a hard copy by snail mail that you don't need returned). We'll publish the most interesting, the cutest and the weirdest, but no poetry and no letters from your dog or cat! Submit by e-mail to pets@postandcourier.com or mail to Pets, The Post and Courier, 134 Columbus St., Charleston SC 29403-4800. Always include your name, address and a daytime phone number.

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