Our family wanted to send along some updates on Ziggy (fka Memphis). It’s almost impossible to overstate how important his arrival into our family has been.
When my daughter stumbled across his posting on FB a mere 48 hours after we lost our eldest dog, our pack leader and soulmate Rufus- she knew something was special. When she showed him me, I nearly lost my breath – as I had never in the decade we had Rufus seen another dog like him. Yet, here I was staring at his twin. And though everyone grieves in their own way, Ziggy felt like a gift. Seeing his happy face reminded us so much of our beloved boy, it brought peace to a house that had been crying for days.
Now, heading into our fourth week with Ziggy- those coincidences have not ended. If anything, as we learn more about him, the similarities keep coming. Our daughter is convinced they were brothers. She fervently believes Rufus “sent” Ziggy to our family so we wouldn’t be sad. And Ziggy has lived up to that and then some. He waltzed through our door like he had been here his whole life.
There is never time he isn’t wagging his tail. Not ever, even in his sleep. He is the happiest, most gentle boy. He is the first to bust open the door to the kids room in the morning, with a swift leap onto their beds and intense nuzzling. He kisses the faces of everyone he meets, and lovingly the faces of his new brother and sister too. He hugs. He will crawl into your lap, sit up on two legs like a meerkat and put his paws on either side of your neck while he buries his tiny head under your chin. He sleeps in your armpit upside all night while he snores like a sailor. Sometimes he gets so excited he farts, and scares himself; this is quite possibly the children’s favorite Ziggy fact.
For me, mom, watching this noble boy step right into the shoes of loyal protector and best friend to our other elderly rescue Petey (who was so depressed when Rufus did not come home) has healed my broken heart.
Thank you for all you do. Thank you for Ziggy.
- Jillian Reiff & Family
5/1/25
Are you the proud parent of a Muttville dog? Send us your story! Include three of your favorite photos and send it to success_stories@muttville.org with the subject line 'Success Story'.
