What a year it has been!

Hi everyone, my name is Hobart. I'm an old friend of Tom's and Maggie let me take over her diary as she goes and frolics in the snow for a while. I was fostered by Tom through Safe Hands Rescue a year ago and have been living with my forever family in Belle Plaine for almost the last 10 months.
I emailed Tom a few days ago just to let him know that I'm doing great and loving my life.
That's me with the wild eyes and wagging tail snuggling up with my brother Jack. He's a Saint Bernard mix who has been my best buddy since I first met him last March.
It's been a great year with a wonderful family! I get to play all the time and run around in the woods and my family always makes sure I'm well fed and happy. I couldn't ask for much more -- it's been so awesome!
I don't like to think much about where I was last year. Sometimes, I can't help but remember and it always scares me how close I was to not being here today. I spent last Christmas so hungry and cold and sick... and my left leg hurt so much.
I just about gave up hope, but my little friend in this photo kept me going. She never left my side and cuddled with me to keep me warm in the animal shelter down in Kentucky. I had been lost in the woods and was in really bad shape. Little did I know how things were going to get much, much better! We were both picked to be rescued and got out of the shelter.
I was very weak myself and the people from the rescue did not know if I was going to survive the trip. I just had a feeling that I had something to live for now, so I stayed strong. I got to stay up in front of the van with this very nice person from the rescue, who made sure I stayed as warm and comfortable as possible. While I did not see much of my friend after that, I know she ended up in Chicago with another rescue. We've lost touch, but I hope she is doing well!
A couple of days later, after a long trip north, I got to meet Tom. He seemed like a nice enough guy and one of the first things he did was give me a bath. I'm not much of one for baths, it did feel nice to at least get most of the muck off of me. He took me home to meet his wife Shawn and a couple of his friends. Shawn fed me some hamburger and rice and then Tom set me to sleep in this real warm room on this comforter that had pillows all around me. I thought I was dreaming -- it was the best 
I had slept in a very long time. Then a few days later, they took me to see Jackie at a place called "The Day Spaw" and she made me look super handsome! I still figured I had to be dreaming, but this was a dream that I never woke up from -- this was real!
I stayed with Shawn and Tom for a couple of months as I got bigger and healthier. I had a lot of people from the rescue rooting for me and it was always nice seeing them at the Meet and Greets.
One day, Tom told me that he had been contacted by a family that was interested in meeting me and perhaps even adopting me. I wasn't sure I wanted to leave Shawn and Tom since I had gotten to be pretty good friends with them and their dogs. But Tom said that this new family sounded really great and that I was ready to go live my new happy life.
We took a drive out to what would become my new home and I was pretty impressed. There was this big warm house and so much space to run around! I met Cathleen, who had contacted Tom about meeting me, and her husband for the first time. They were so nice! It took a while for Jack to warm up to me, but by the end of the visit we were already starting to get used to each other. It was only a week later that I was on my way to live with them.
It was sad leaving Tom and we didn't have much of a good-bye as it was in the middle of a snowstorm. He told me he loved me and I gave him a big lick to tell him the feeling was mutual. Then, he handed me over to Cathleen and we drove off to my new home and everything has been amazing ever since! They have a big extended family with a lot of other dogs that come to visit often. We all get along really well and its always fun.
Jack and I are nearly inseparable (even though sometimes I think he'd like a bit of alone time) and I great each morning with a big smile.
I know that I'm going to have a long and happy life here and I'm so thankful for it every day.
Still, there are times I think about those that aren't as amazingly lucky as I have been and I hope they find their miracle too. I know I wouldn't have been here today if not for all those who found me, rescued me, nursed me back to health and adopted me.
What a year it has been!
Well, guess that's it for now. I'll turn it back over to Maggie here. She mentioned she'd be letting y'all know soon how her first Christmas went. Sounds like she had a really good time. Thanks for your time!

Have a great New Year,

Hobie