Until he was 12, Tristin had a loving home.  Mr. Merrill was a small, elderly man who doted on his irascible pug.  He bought him all kinds of treats, toys, and luxury items, such as an LL Bean dog bed embroidered with his name.  He was a regular at Dr. Wolf’s veterinary clinic, where the staff remembers Tristin sitting contentedly on Mr. Merrill’s lap as they waited for their appointment.