24 Comments
User's avatar
Christy Marx's avatar

Wonderful story. That is one lucky dog.

Back in the GEnie days, if you remember GEnie, I was on a SF list that included writer Jo Clayton. Tragically, Jo ended up in the hospital with terminal cancer and her two cats were left in her apartment with friends tending to them. They needed a home and I was a Crazy Cat Lady and so it was all organized via that old BBS and they were shipped to me. I can totally relate to your story and the Old Internet, which I firmly believe is still there, if not as obvious.

Kalia Kliban's avatar

I'm not crying. Nope.

Well, maybe just a little.

Thank you for the hope.

Amy Rosenbaum's avatar

Vel is perfect and so is this story! Love the reminder that what we make Real is Real.

Aurelia Navarro's avatar

Absolutely fabulous! Heartwarming and perfect in every way. I desperately needed a story of exactly THIS emotional resonance at exactly this minute! Thank you all. And may Vel live a thousand years!

Sallyfemina's avatar

I was on the old Internet in about 1986 and this reminds me of those days.

So happy for the small white wolf, you, and Bastian.

Also, Velveteen Valente is a fabulous name for doggy to have on the vet records.

Christina's avatar

I’m off of the social medias so I didn’t see the pup train form but HOLY WOW. This makes me so happy. I’ve found pockets of Ye Olde Internet, usually surrounding a creative soul on Patreon. Somewhere under all the gunk, I think human hearts still beat. Much love to Vel! She’s the best girl!

Jeanette Greaves's avatar

Unshittification is our job now. I'm glad that Vel will be safe and loved.

Andr Drew's avatar

UNshittification is now EVERYONE's job. We are all PoopSmith. 😔

Kris's avatar

Oh, thank you for this story! A spark of light in the darkness. And I hope we get to see pictures of your first meeting!

Catherynne M. Valente's avatar

Absolutely! Pretty sure this is going to be a VERY photographed dog.

Nico Versluys's avatar

As a great man once said: Enjoy the little things in life because one day you`ll look back and realize they were the big things.

bookgirl89@aol.com's avatar

Oh, this is so wonderful! I'm so happy for you and Vel and Bastian, and the possibility of unshittification!

Kali's avatar

Wow! That's so beautiful and amazing; it literally brought tears to my eyes!

mac jordan 🇬🇧's avatar

I'm crying. God bless all those people.

Author TK Eldridge's avatar

Hope is contagious. Thanks for sharing some.

JoAnn Bachteler's avatar

Keep finding the Glimmers and hold them to your heart. Thank you for sharing this one with us.

Thistlerae isn't down anymore's avatar

Honest to dog goosebumps at the last there. So glad you're able to keep the smol white wolf in the family!

Andr Drew's avatar

Old Millennial Internet Spirit!

My old heart needed this. It's nice when the sleeping world seeds shift a little, and turn over in their slumber.

I still hope some of that Old Time Internet eventually wakes up. Even if it was also shitty and terrible sometimes, it was about growing things. Not putting the world into pre-paid-drone-deliverable-Amazon-boxes.