What a wonderful story!! And what a truely lucky dog to have someone with such compassion take it in and give it a loving home. I have a small dog that is a yorki/shitzu mix and she adds so much to my life. She is loving toward me and is always in whatever part of the house I am in. She is very quiet, and only seems to bark when someone rings the doorbell. I cannot imagine my life without her. I had a large dog for many years that I rescued. I am sure that dog knew I had saved it and he was a faithful companion. I am sure your little dog knows that you saved it from a miserable, and most likely short life.