My name is Miller and I am a six-year-old blue brindle American Staffordshire terrier cross. For the first five years of my life I was with the one family, and I did not know any other life.
Then suddenly, early last year, my carers separated, and I had to go. The break-up was really sad for me, because I had always been very happy.
When I arrived at Lort Smith, I could not believe what was going on. I have always loved people, but suddenly there were so many new sounds, smells, faces and other animals. It really threw me.
I was not that keen about going to Lort Smith at first, but now looking back, I have to admit it has been fantastic for me.
Miller
Learning new things
The main thing that made me nervous at Lort Smith was mixing with so many other dogs. This was new to me and I was not that keen. I was really quite scared.
I would bark and growl and air snap at other dogs to let them know who was boss, but the professionals at the kennels did not like that. They started giving me some special training. They even wanted me to be toilet trained.
I found training very boring at first, but the trainers knew what they were doing and, I have to admit, they are good communicators. Plus, the training also included treats, and I loved that.
I heard two of the trainers talking one day, and they said they thought I had responded really well to obedience training and that I was no longer too excitable around other dogs. I was pleased the trainers were happy, because they are very caring people.
After a while, I was quite happy to walk on a nice loose lead close to other dogs. I was always more interested in, and focused on, the people around me.
A few false starts
Before long, I was adopted. But not for long. My new carer lived in an apartment and it was too small. Fortunately, he quickly realised what was wrong and took me back to Lort Smith.
Then I was taken to a second carer. This time I was shockingly lonely. I knew so many faces at Lort Smith, and when I went to this foster home I felt totally isolated. I chewed a piece out of their front door, just for something to do, and they got upset. That suited me, because the next day I was dropped off at Lort Smith. I felt like I was "home" again.
Over the next couple of months, I went to two other foster homes. They were both good, but they didn't last, for different reasons.
A painful ear
Then I got a really serious pain in my ear. It was so painful I had to keep shaking my head to get relief. The Lort Smith vets put me on some ear medication. But that did no good. They eventually decided I had to have a general anaesthetic. It was very scary, I can tell you.
In the operation, would you believe, they found four grass seeds embedded in my ear canal? Apparently, one of these seeds was very close to my eardrum. So I was very lucky. If I had not been with Lort Smith, I may have had to live with that pain forever.
My people
As of now, I am living with a new family and they are just great. I am so happy. This family has a beach house and we go swimming quite often. I just love the water, especially in warm weather.
It started as a foster care arrangement, but it looks like they are going to adopt me. I am really hoping these people want to keep me, and I can settle into a new permanent relationship.
It's been a long haul for me at Lort Smith, but looking back now, I am really grateful they have kept being kind to me and had faith in me. My first carer left me. I know what that feels like.
I was not that keen about going to Lort Smith at first, but now looking back, I have to admit it has been fantastic for me. I am well aware that if it were not for Lort Smith, I could still be living with that pain in my ears, and I could well be on the streets. And I know for sure that would not be much fun.
Love from Miller x
PS. If you make a donation, it will help more animals just like me.