Best Friends

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Mambo and Simba were next to each other in their pens at the Sterling Animal Shelter. My husband and I had gone there to get a puppy as a companion for our older dog, Bridie. The dog we wanted was not available and we were on our way out, very disappointed, when Mambo a Sato from Puerto Rico, caught my husband's eye. He was just 5 lbs but full of personality! Then we noticed his neighbor, a beautiful by extremely fearful husky/golden mix who would not come near us. Simba paced inside his pen and stayed far away from us. Then we watched as the two dogs played and interacted with each other through their own pen fence. Mambo's sister was already adopted and Simba's other brothers and sisters were gone. The shelter warned us against adopting Simba because of his shyness and fears. We know that he was neglected and abused as a young puppy. They were just too beautiful to ignore! We placed the two dogs in a pen together and watched as they romped and played with each other. They looked like the cartoon characters Mutt and Jeff! Right then we decided we would take them both. That night my husband said what were we thinking adding two more dogs to our pack at once. It was the best decision we ever made! With his wonderful personality, Mambo helped us to rehabilitate Simba's fears and shyness. Simba is now a wonderful, loyal companion. Both he and Mambo go for bike rides with my husband and adore their older sister Bridie, who before was never fond of other dogs, but loves her two brothers. Simba and Mambo love to give kisses especially to their sister. When Bridie was ill, Simba was always next to her, watching out. Simba and Mambo love children and have helped to rid the fears of several young children in our neighborhood that were fearful of dogs. For a dog who would not come near us at the shelter, Simba has made remarkable progress. The most unlikely of brothers have become stable, loyal members of our family. They have shown us what it means to love unconditionally!