I'm a sucker for animals, it's true, but puppies aren't usually my "thing". I'm more inclined to adopt adult dogs and cats that have been abandoned or abused.

A couple months ago I became concerned about a sweet half-grown puppy belonging to a new neighbor a few houses down the street. The og was thin and seemed to be tied 24/7 .

At this point we had one dead puppy, one very sick pup and my neighbor had now added a third little dog. Can you say "clueless"?

Suspecting hookworm I aggressively treated the sick pup with medication and he responded within a couple days, gaining both energy and weight. I also obtained permission from the neighbor to personally enter his back yard and check on the two pups and his other dog. For two weeks I took food twice a day to the dogs and gave them fresh water each time. I replaced the useless water containers (plastic tubs that quickly tipped over) with larger dog dishes from my garage (good thing I keep everything).

At no time was there ANY food or water in the dog's limited areas when I stopped by. I found that though Mike loved the dogs and meant well - he saw no problem with waiting till payday to buy more dog food when he ran out.

The dogs were thriving because I was feeding them - but then the smallest one (the pup adopted last) began losing weight and became listless. She had become infected with hookworms, too.

I began treating her but also confronted my neighbor. Ignorance is no excuse for cruelty. I learned that he had already decided he couldn't properly care for three dogs (his half-grown one and the two surviving puppies) and would be happy if I could find homes for the two small ones.

That was all I needed - the little one came home with me 2 days ago. Yesterday she had her first vet appointment and my vet agreed that hookworm was the reason she had so quickly become only fur and bones.

He advised me to double the dose of medication and the little girl is already showing more energy and appetite today. My other dog, Doodah, has accepted her (grudgingly, I must say) and growls at her only when she insists on licking him on the nose.

Coming up with a name for my new family member was proving difficult. Somehow nothing seemed to suit her (to me, at least). Searching TV listings to see if anything was worth watching night before last I noticed the movie "Saving Grace" was on. It just sounded right.

Gracie, it is.

With Gracie settled in my home one problem remained. The second surviving puppy was still at risk. The owner had the puppy running loose and though our street is a quiet one, cars and puppies aren't a good mix.

Since adopting Gracie I had been bringing her big brother into my fenced back yard daily where the two could play, nap and investigate everything in sight. Each afternoon as I returned him to his "owner's" (and I use that term loosely) yard I could only hope he'd be OK. The pup had adopted a drainage pipe that ran under the owner's driveway as his "doghouse".

Yesterday I found a home for Roscoe! I delivered him to a friend of a friend who had been planning to adopt a dog. He now has a lovely, shaded back yard (fenced), a great porch to relax on and house privileges, too.

Roscoe was given a name but hadn't learned the name as he was ignored by his owner. After hearing about Gracie - big brother's new owner has named him "George".

Two abandoned pups, two good homes, it's been a good week.

The Lone Survivor