From Fallen Star to Movie Star!

The journey of a special rescue dog and the search for his Legacy.

“..if he is to be saved I really think he needs to go to rescue.  BIN8325 - He is a fear biter when he is cornered in his kennel. Scared to freaking death.”

BIN8325’s journey begins as a 1 year old in a city shelter, scared, sick and alone.  Typically, when the shelter has a dog that is so scared and labeled a “fear biter”, it is deemed “unadoptable” and would be euthanized.  But BIN8325 had a guardian angel at the shelter that saw his potential and contacted rescue for help. 

Legacy Boxer Rescue sent a volunteer to meet him. His evaluation indicated that he just needed a chance to overcome the shelter stress and be the happy dog that she knew was inside. He was released to rescue in July of 2008. On his “freedom ride”, his new foster mom gave him a reassuring pat and let him know that only good things were to come.  BIN8325 was taken to his foster home, where he was given a new name to go with his new leash on life – Woodstock. 

Woodstock began his new life as an LBR dog in foster care where he was allowed to just be a dog.  No rules.  Just eat, sleep, play and heal.  It took several weeks to gain weight and build his confidence along with completing all of his medical needs.  The day finally came when he could attend the “pet fair” event where potential adopters could meet and interact with their potential new dog.

At his first pet fair, a couple came in to meet the available dogs and noticed Woody in his crate.  Unimpressed with his appearance, the wife said to her husband “That poor dog is never going to get a home. He’s so ugly and he’s way too small!”  Luckily, Woody’s foster mom didn’t hear this remark!

Fast forward a couple of weeks.  Remembering the promise that she made, Woody’s foster mom decided that it was time to look through the approved applicants to try to find the best home for him. A home where he would be treated kindly, be well cared for and be given all the love and attention that he needed to continue to grow.   She came across an application that looked promising and contacted the family to set up a meet and greet. The new family had to be perfect for this special boy. After the meet and greet was scheduled, the applicants husband said “Don’t you remember that dog?  He’s the one that we saw at pet fair that you thought was so ugly.”  Since the meet and greet was already scheduled, the family decided to meet him anyway so as not to hurt his foster mom’s feelings.

Needless to say, once the family actually met Woodstock in person, they knew that he was “The One”. The tiny, mangy, fearful boy, whose only chance at life was to be rescued had won the hearts of his new parents, Kari and Bill and their boxer girl, Romi.

Woodstock was finally home! 

Romi has since passed on.  Woody’s new fur sister Rhaini, also an LBR dog, keeps him company these days.  His days are filled with lounging on the couch or by the pool, playing with toys, taking long walks and receiving love and adoration from his parents. He is properly spoiled as all dogs should be.

Woodstock is no longer a tiny, scared, mangy boy. Over the 7+ years that he has been with his family, he has grown into a big, handsome, much more confident boy.  He and his mom have competed in agility trials and most recently, he was selected to appear in a movie!  What a proud achievement for a Legacy dog.  With no formal training, he was able to complete all of his scenes perfectly under the guidance of his mom, Kari.  The love and trust between them is amazing.  Exactly who rescued who is still up for debate.

From the shelter to a movie set:  Woodstock plays “Stevey” the furry friend of character “Jonah” (played by Jay Huguley) in the soon to be released movie “Sunny in The Dark”.  

Rescue dogs can do AMAZING things.  During the shooting of the film, Woodstock continually impressed his co-stars.  The Director, Courtney Ware, commented that Woody was “epic” and “amazing” on film. 

We couldn’t agree more.  A favorite quote about this film comes from Jay Huguley - “For me the story is about isolation and loneliness.  No matter how far we retreat from the world, we are not alone.”

How fitting for a scared, lonely shelter dog that knew nothing other than to retreat as far into his run as possible and growl at the people trying to help him to be given a team of rescuers willing to save him for no other reason than because it’s the right thing to do. 

You can follow Woodstock as “Stevey” and watch him make his movie debut by “Liking” the Sunny In The Dark Facebook page.

Woodstock was recently diagnosed with lymphoma.  He is undergoing treatment with the dignity and strength that is true to his breed.  He is a fighter.  His parents, Kari and Bill are struggling with how they will survive without him while Woodstock lives in the moment, returning the kindness and love with loyalty and a never ending grin on his face.  He is loved beyond measure and it is the hope of all that know and love him that he will beat this disease and be with us for a long time to come.

“For every life, there is a legacy… A legacy that replaces despair with hope, sorrow with happiness, fear with security, and pain with love.” – Legacy Boxer Rescue

For Woodstock, his journey continues and his legacy will live on in film and in the hearts of all that know him.