Totti's Story

So how did TOTTI first find her way to TOTTSHR? Well... legend has it that TOTTI was given to TOTTSHR Volunteer Polly Bray by Shelly Lewis of Sibernet-L as a Secret Santa Gift. But how did Shelly find Totti?

Shelly tells the story of how she rescued Totti:

"Fun little story about the night I went to "rescue" TOTTI from the "bin"...I ran into a co-worker who was there with her granddaughter. (I don't know if you've ever seen these made, but they have little cloth hearts that go in each stuffie right before they are sewn up) Build-A-Bear has this little "thing" they have the kids do when they get ready to put the "heart" in the stuffie. If I remember correctly it involves holding the cloth heart in their hands for strength, next to their heart so they will always be heart to heart, putting it up to their forehead for a wish and kissing it for luck or something like that (my adult version is probably a bit off).

I asked my friend if her granddaughter would help me so I could get him that "just right" feeling, let her pick out his heart and helped her with putting his heart in. She took it very seriously as we both gave him the strength of a mighty leader, shared our hearts with him, wished him safe and wonderful trails and sent his heart off with a kiss for good luck!!

Little did I know how appropriate all those things would be. I can't wait to tell her about where he is at and what he is doing!!

Knowing Totti is in Alaska IS like one of our own dogs is there!!"

After that Totti found her way to a wonderful lady named Heather Walls who in turn contact Karen Ramstead to ask if she would let Totti be part of her journey. Karen said yes and so Heather traveled with Totti North to Alaska!