Long story short, she said yes ... to all of it. And she named him Theo.
"He didn't have a name yet, and he had six hours to live," before he was scheduled to be euthanized, Nardello told Daily Voice. "He looked so skinny and so scared."
Nardello describes Theo – no longer scrawny – as the love of her life. She and her husband have seven pets altogether, six of which are rescues.
Theo may be a Catahoula Leopard Dog, named after a parish in Louisiana and their strange coat markings, which sometimes appear as blotches of color. They're traditionally hunting and herding dogs.
"He is an absolute love; he's so good with people," Nardello said. "But they have a terrible reputation, in terms of getting along with other dogs."
After taking Theo for a walk, she introduced them to the other pets one at a time – "and the rest is history."
Nardello is officially the recording secretary of Peace4Paws, the rescue that brought Theo to New Jersey.
Peace4Paws works to find forever homes for retired research animals, surrendered pets and rescues from high-kill shelters. Volunteers are needed, to foster animals, help out with doggie exercise or appointments, and help with community outreach.
"We have a very good core group," Nardello said. For more info on how to join that group, click here.
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