11/26/2008 - 9/23/2023

We had to say goodbye to our sweet, sweet Nikki on Saturday, September 23, 2023. Apparently, she had a seizure or stroke early Saturday morning. She was struggling and there wasn't much we could do except let her go.

This sweet gift of a dog came here 5 years ago this month when Jacki Inman's mom needed a safe place to send her. What a gift she was, what a joy. Nikki was the sweetest, happiest little dog. with the cutest little walk. Wiggle, wiggle, strut, strut. She and Taz were best buddies, they loved, loved, loved each other. And when Izzy came here last year, it was Nikki who took her under her wing and helped Izzy overcome a lot of her fears. This gentle dog didn't have a mean bone in her body.

Well, okay, on occasion she was known to nip, but she always warned you first and it was always because you were doing something that displeased her. We always took a muzzle with us when she went to the vet although most of the time, it wasn't needed. She was a delightful character.

We all miss her, Taz and Izzy especially, but interestingly they are hanging with each other. I think offering comfort as best they can to each other. Nikki would be proud.

Our youngest daughter recently lost her beloved dog Layla and wrote: "Between hello and goodbye there was love, so much love" and that says it perfectly. Goodbye sweet girl, we loved you so.

Sweet little Lucy is gone, she left us yesterday, July 1, 2023. She had been living with chronic renal failure for several years, still we thought we'd have more time.

Our whole house is missing her, she was the tiny little alpha in this pack of rescue dogs. It's hard to wrap my head around the fact that there will be no more play bowing with Taz and Pal to get them to play with her, or sleeping side by side with Izzy, or running to the fence to bark at the neighbor's dogs. I miss taking her to bed with me and her placing her little butt on my shoulder waiting for me to cover her.

Who would think a tiny, 3 lb dog could capture such a huge place in our hearts. She was the undisputed boss in our house. She welcomed Lexi & Pal then Jack and Izzy and Fred and said her goodbyes to Mason and Prince and Lexi and Jack and of course sweet Oscar. Mason was my heart dog and while one dog never replaces another, Lucy came here two months before we lost Mason, and her presence made his loss bearable.

She was a sweetheart.

And now she's gone. God Speed sweet girl, you are missed.

2/6/10 - 7/1/2023

 

October 1, 2018

Today we said goodbye to this sweet little guy. We think he may have had a stroke over the weekend. He couldn't stand or move his left legs and he didn't show any improvement Saturday or Sunday. Prince had a lifetime of medical issues. He was diagnosed with microvascular dysplasia as a puppy, he had a neurological disorder that caused him to shake his head and squat multiple times a day, Dr. Fenner suspected hydrocephalus. And then there was the problem with a bone being out of place in his neck Regardless, nothing slowed him down until this weekend.

Several years ago during a routine dental, a former vet pulled all of his teeth and broke his jaw in the process.(Note the adjective "former.") Two years ago he developed cataracts and lost his sight. At times he would throw temper tantrums from frustration but for the most part he was a happy, feisty, funny, loving little dog.

How do I explain this little guy to someone who never met him? He was adorable, one of the cutest "little white dogs" you'll ever find. Everyone loved him. I fell in love with him on a rescue website, he fell in love with his dad. Even after Prince developed cataracts and could no longer see, he could find Jim anywhere.

He was just a fun little dog. I can't count the number of fights he started around here and had to be rescued. He used to go round and round with Mason and as recently as Friday he was giving Lucy what for over his breakfast. Stinker. Troublemaker. Feisty little sh*t. It's hard to believe what a huge hole a 3.2lb dog leaves in one's heart. Good night sweet Prince. Mom loves you. Always.

 

May 29, 2020

Saying goodbye to Lexi, our little love bug.

We had to say goodbye to this sweet, sweet girl last night. She took her last breath at 7:33 pm. She had a terrible day yesterday, steadily going downhill. Even with pain medications it was clear she was uncomfortable, struggling to breathe and no amount of wishes or prayers or medical magic was going to make a difference. It's always hard to say goodbye but this little one had such a love of life, always happy, adventurous, demanding when she wanted a cookie. She brought so much joy and laughter to this house and she is leaving a huge hole in our hearts.

I don't want to say goodbye by recounting her last day, rather I want to remember the sweet girl she was. Never once did she go on a walk that she didn't lay down and poop out. She would roll and scratch her back and not get up until she was good and ready. It was hilarious and always made me laugh.

Then there were the cookie temper tantrums. Somewhere between 9:00 & 10:00 PM she would suddenly jump up, snuffle then bark and demand a cookie. Every. Single. Night. And of course, once she started 6 other dogs joined her until it was either give them a cookie or forget about watching the rest of whatever show was on TV. Yeah, this sweet little dog was quite the rabble-rouser when she wanted a treat.

When she and her brother Pal came here in July of 2019, they were inseparable, almost joined at the hip. They were depressed, traumatized, and clearly didn't understand why they came here and what happened to their original family. We gave them time, let them watch our other dogs and learn this was an okay place. Lexi was the first to venture into her new home. She discovered everyone got a cookie after Oscar and Taz had a diaper change and she was delighted.

She welcomed Taz's attempts to play and learned that she could be away from Pal, play with the other dogs and her brother would be fine. Of the two of them, she decided first that being a Spoiled Royal was a good thing.

Lexi climbed the steps and hopped in our bed to play with us. She loved rolling around, getting a belly rub, and roughhousing with me. She always ended her sessions with a kiss. I will miss this sweet dog who trusted us enough to accept us as her new family. I will miss her funny, silly sense of humor, and oh how I will miss her sweet little kisses.

Rest easy sweet girl, we will love your brother for you and keep him safe. Mama loves you. Always.

And Then There Were Five. . . .

I said goodbye to this sweet little dog today. He was a tiny little guy, barely tipping the scale at 5 lbs. but what a gigantic  personality he had. 

When he was healthy he was fearless, he would bravely take on the world.

I can't begin to count how many fights I broke up in the early years. And once he finally understood attacking the other dogs was not permitted, he took his wrath out on inanimate objects. 

For years he had an ongoing war with brooms of all sizes - whisk brooms, kitchen brooms, shop brooms, if it had a handle and bristles he would fight to the death (or what passes for a Yorkie killing a broom.) He also had a passionate dislike for helium filled balloons and would bark incessantly until we removed it from his sight. What a little character he was.

While he certainly displayed a Yorkie 'tude, he was the best little dog. He loved to curl up on my lap when I read a book and he'd climb on the sofa and press against me while watching TV in the evenings. He'd snuggled up beside me in bed at night and would chase the others away if they came to close. What a sweet, feisty little dog he was. 

Gaylin had such an irrepressible spirit, such a love of life, such a wonderful irreverent attitude it's hard to believe tomorrow will come without his ornery little personality announcing he's ready for the day. He was a pint sized bundle of love and I miss him more than I can explain. 

I loved that little guy, I will always love him. He made me laugh out loud and he made my heart smile. Every day with Gaylin was a good day. Except for today. Today I lost my buddy. Today I cried. Bye Munchkin, Mom loves you to the moon and back. 

Saying goodbye.

It's been a difficult 19 months. We've lost four Spoiled Royals Holly, Myla and Punkin, and Sweetie. Three wonderful Pomeranians and a happy Yorkshire Terrier all gone in less than two years. 

Holly was unquestionably the happiest dog I've ever met. She didn't walk, she bounced. She had a silly sense of humor and loved to sucker her fur siblings into thinking something was going on. She would suddenly hop up, start running and barking and get them all riled up then quietly sit down and watch the fun.

She was a happy, silly little dog with the look of a fox and she always had a smile on her face. She loved life, loved her fur siblings especially Myla and could not stand to be placed in a crate. What a little character she was.

Every day at 4:00 PM she came to wherever I was and pawed at me. I would pick her up, hold her in my arms and give her a belly rub. It took a long time for her to discover the joys of a belly rub but once she did, she was adamant that she received one daily. How I miss that silly dog demanding her daily belly rub. Out of the blue, in early April 2014, just after turning 14 yrs old,  she laid down on the deck and went to sleep and simply did not wake up.  It's been almost two years and I still can't reconcile our beautiful, spunky little red Pomeranian is gone.

A few weeks later in April of 2014 we had to help our little Yorkie Sweetie to the bridge. Her cancer had progressed to the point we couldn't keep her comfortable. She was such a good little dog, always in a good mood, always bossy, always fun. I never like putting any of our dogs down but it was especially hard to let her go.

I've told the story many times but she came to us as a Yorkie in need of a new home. After we decided she was home, I wanted to rename her because I didn't care for the name Sweetie. I spent a good two weeks playing with different names, trying to decide if they fit her. I finally gave up and stuck with her original name because honestly, she was (and always will be) a Sweetie. She was 6 months shy of her 15th birthday when we lost her and not a day goes by that I don't miss her.

All went well for several months and then Myla, our beautiful, blossoming white Pomeranian passed away in September of 2015 just two months away from her 16th birthday. She was the most frightened dog when she came here and it took years for her to trust us but oh what a change once she did. Like Holly, Myla had a perpetual smile on her face. Although sudden moves still could startle her, she quickly realized whatever scared her was not going to harm her and she would stop mid-flight. She just blossomed with love for us, wanting to be where we were, barking a "hurry up" at mealtime, always, always a joy.

She went outside one morning very early to potty and something happened. We found her laying in the grass, unable to stand, breathing hard. We brought her inside and held her as she took her last breath. Such a majestic beauty, such a sweet dog. Three well loved dogs gone in the blink of an eye. And then there was Punkin.

Punky was the smallest dog here and also the oldest at almost 17. His health had been failing for the last couple of years but he kept chugging along, always bouncing back from whatever health crisis he faced. He was a tiny dog with a huge heart, no fear and fiesty as could be. This sweet little guy is my cautionary tale.

I knew his health had been failing. He wasn't eating well, he started stumbling, losing his balance, and developed dry eye.  He was just off. I was taking a couple of other dogs into the vet and added Punkin to the visit for a quick check. I knew he was not great but I just thought he was getting old and maybe needed some meds. He seemed thinner and not as sharp but Punkin was a survivor. It turned out he was in renal failure, suffering and in pain. There was nothing to be done except help him to the bridge to stop his suffering. Oh how I hate that he was that sick and I didn't see it. Learn from my lesson, when you have a senior dog in poor health, get an objective pair of eyes on him. This tough little guy suffered more than he should have and that breaks my heart. One thing I do know for sure is that he knew he was loved every minute of every day that he lived here. Like his three fursiblings, he is missed every day.

Losing four dogs in 19 months is difficult. It seems like we had no time to recover from losing one and then another senior gained their wings. Was it worth it?  Yeah, it was. Life is filled with valleys and peaks and losing a beloved pet is definitely a valley, but the joy of loving one is certainly a path to the highest peak.

Goodbye dear Holly, sweet Sweetie, majestic Myla and precious Punkin, thank you for being our dogs. We miss you guys so much.

Find a Vet You Like and Stay With Them

People who vet hop drive me crazy! I'm not talking about trying different vets until you find the one you feel is the best fit for you and your pets. I'm talking about those folks who never have a regular vet. They take their pets to the vet only when illness or injury strikes and it's rarely the same veterinarian twice in a row. 

They explain how vets are only in it for the money and they complain about the cost of everything from CBC panels to medications.(Of course veterinary school was free thus there are no student loans to repay, all laboratories perform tests at no charge for veterinarians, the gas and electric company donate services and both vets and staff work for free because they are so dedicated to helping animals. Thank goodness they don't have to pay for groceries, gasoline, medical care/insurance or a mortgage.)

I recently had a conversation with an acquaintance who was outraged by the cost of medicine a vet was prescribing for his dog. On the one hand, I knew the price he was quoted to be high but on the other hand, he'd never seen this vet before, he went there because he had a free exam coupon and the vet only had his word on his dog's history because he had never bothered to keep records or bring any with him. Of course all vets are omnipotent and know all, see all and can look at a dog or cat and know its entire medical history.

I know he loves his dog but honestly, IMO, he needs to love his dog enough to find a vet and stick with him or her. Why is that concept so hard for so many people to understand? Find a veterinarian you are comfortable with, one your pet also likes then take your pet in at least annually. As the pet gets older it might be necessary to take them semi-annually and even more often if it has a medical condition that needs monitored. 

There may be a few wacko vets out there but I can tell you unequivocally there are a lot more wacko owners. A veterinarian goes to school for a minimum of 8 years, they do continuing education to keep their skills sharp, they spend a lot of time and money developing and maintaining the skills needed to diagnose and treat your pets. Respect that.



Establish a rapport  and trust your vet. If you don't understand something, ask. If you can't afford a recommended treatment tell your vet that and ask if there is a less expensive alternative treatment that might help.  If the pet needs a treatment you can't afford and there is no alternative available, ask how much time your pet can wait and then get busy and find the necessary funds. Pet owners should be prepared to find a way to pay for needed care, that is your responsibility not your vet's. Vet care is not discretionary, you have a pet, you have a responsibility, live up to it. 

You'll find that a regular vet most often will try to help where they can.  Sometimes they may be able to direct a pet owner short of funds to resources where the pet owner can apply for financial assistance, sometimes they may be able to offer a discount (please note that is never required) and many times, because they know your pet, they can offer advice that money can't buy. 

They can't do any of this if you are forever vet hopping. Figure out what you need in a vet and then look for one you click with. Then, take your pet there for annual or semi-annual visits. If you have an emergency, start with your vet and follow their instructions. You will make many investments over the years but one of the very best is investing in the right vet for your pet. (And you won't have to listen to me rant because you vet hop. LOL)

 

Another Spoiled Royal is waiting at the Bridge. . .

Joey came to us with an attitude and several health issues in October of 2009. He was Cushinoid with terrible allergies and because his immune system was compromised he had 2 or 3 ear infections a year. He developed an eye ulcer but a good ophthalmologist and a lot of luck saved his eye. There was always a question whether or not he could see as he had a damaged optic nerve and his ophthalmologist was pretty sure he was blind yet he acted like a sighted dog.

A year ago Joe developed diabetes and cataracts appeared seemingly overnight. The cataracts answered the blindness question as we watched him struggle to learn to live in a completely black world.  And learn he did. Just like Max, Joe learned the layout of the yard and the house. We put a lit lavender candle at one end of the house and a vanilla one at the other. We used different textured throw rugs in the doorways between rooms and we kept furniture in the same positions. Joe adjusted so well that visitors had no idea he was blind, figuring it out only if he bumped into them. He received two insulin shots a day, Trilostane for the Cushings, and an allergy shot once a month. Life went on, he was happy and loved.

We called him our growly bear. He "talked" all the time, walking around the house and yard making growly noises. We knew his secret, he was all bark and no bite, and he was adored. He did well until September of 2012 when he needed surgery to remove his gall bladder. He had a good surgeon at a great medical facility, an on site ophthalmologist, several excellent vet techs and an outstanding primary vet in his corner. Joe survived the surgery, had his feeding tube removed, was hospitalized a couple more times, had his feeding tube put back in and he fought to live. He was a gallant little guy. Then one morning it was clear something was terribly wrong, sometime during the early hours Joey had had a stroke. We took him to the vet hoping against hope that she had one more magic trick to pull out of her bag but it was not to be. She examined Joe with her usual gentle touch, watched him walk, touched his ears and feet (which always resulted in a growl fest previously) and noted his total non-reaction. I knew he was gone but I needed someone else to tell me. "He's had a stroke, he's not going to come back, I'm sorry."   There was nothing left but to hold him, love him and say goodbye. 

Dear Joey, mom misses you every day. I love you sweet boy.

 

 

Today is the day Sunny Bunny became an angel. She did so well for 9 months but about 3 weeks ago, she stopped eating. She was in renal failure and once again we tried to bring her back. She had sub-q fluids, appetite stimulants, pain patches and other pain meds. We offered her every kind of dog food, cat food, people food we could think of but she wouldn't eat. We had to do forced feedings to keep her going and then this morning I looked at her and thought, no, stop, it's enough. With heavy heart I made an appointment with the vet and helped her on her way. She was such a sweet, cuddly, happy dog.

Sunny had a previous owner, a senior gentleman who clearly loved and treasured her. He passed away several years ago and she found her way to us. She truly was one of the Spoiled Royals.

I hope she found him again and I hope she told him about her Ohio home and all her fur siblings. I hope they laughed and smiled together and I hope she told him that even though he left her, she found a wonderful home where once again she was loved and treasured.

Thank you for sharing her with us, we are giving her back now. Goodbye sweet princess, Mama loves you.

Our Gentle Alpha is Gone

August 6, 2012
I knew when I woke up that I couldn't put it off any longer. Our Lhasa Apso mix Tucker was in pain. In addition to his arthritis, Friday's visit to the vet showed fluid on one side of his heart. Age and a tumor were not being kind to him.  Saturday the vet called to say he was also in renal failure. Damn, damn, damn!

We have a lot of dogs, yet each one is special, each is loved. For years Tucker was our gentle alpha. He ruled his pack with kindness and heart. It took me years to figure out he was the alpha in our pack because the others followed him so readily. Tucker never barked or nipped, he just set the tone with his attitude. The others all knew he was in charge and happily followed his lead.

In his younger years he loved to chase the chipmonks in our yard and I used to send monthly emails to his foster mom Andrea about his antics. I think she loved him almost as much as we did. That was the thing about Tucker, everyone who met him fell in love with him because he was such a good dog. Yeah, I know all dogs are good (and they are) but Tucker was special.

Years ago I had a little Yorkie mix who started having some kind of seizures in the last year of her life. She would come out of the seizures disoriented and shaking until one day, in the middle of a seizure, Tucker laid down beside her and wrapped his body around her. When she woke up, she was cuddled in Tucker's center. She stayed there until she quietly came back to herself. Loved, protected, safe. A year or so after losing Taffy, Mason came here as a foster dog. He came straight out of a mill and was at a loss to do the simplest things.

Mason was afraid to walk through a door way, he didn't know how to go up and down steps, he was afraid of Jim and me. It was Tucker who showed him how to walk through a door, go up and down steps and that it was okay to trust Jim and me. Tucker was an amazing dog and the real reason this was such a good foster home.  We really did very little, Tuck showed the fosters the ropes and vouched for Jim & me. He let the fosters know that we could be trusted and that in this house voices did not shout, hands did not hurt, dogs did not fend for themselves.

We loved him, he loved us, that was all that was needed. Until August 6, 2012. On that day Tucker needed help so he could leave us. He was in pain, he was old, he was not going to get better, there was no magic pill that would restore his health and his youth.  It's easy to explain how much he was loved, hard to explain how much I hated to let him go. God Speed Tucker, Mom loves you.

Little Dogs, Big Losses

The week before Christmas, we lost Max. He went into renal failure and in spite of 4 days on an IV trying to kick start his kidneys, we knew we had no choice except to let him go. He was old and fluids and heroics wouldn't change that fact. I don't have the words to explain how much I miss him. We have other dogs, but there was only one Max. He was a little dog, but it feels like a big loss. 

Earlier this week I was storming heaven with prayers that our Sunny Bunny was not going to be next. She doesn't eat well - hasn't for about a year now. Part of it is probably related to her kidney issues which can cause nausea. Part may be related to her heart issues and I suspect a big part may have to do with her simply being a picky eater.

Regardless of the reason, her not eating is sure to give me a case of the crazies.  I know a healthy dog can not starve itself to death if it has access to food but I also believe an unhealthy dog can.

She has heart issues, kidney issues, calcium in her left eye, disintegrating disks and yes, she's older, about 13 or 14 yrs old.  I'm okay when she skips one meal, still good when she skips two. The third skipped meal alerts the crazies to get ready and the 4th skipped meal generates a full blown case.

We try a smorgashboard of canned dog food, dry dog food, kibble with or without gravy (beef, turkey or chicken), combinations of all of the above. We go through chicken and rice, baked chicken, rotisserie chicken - anything we can think of to get her to eat. Sometimes she does and sometimes she doesn't.

Why, you ask, do we bother. Look at that face sound asleep on the day bed above. Even in her sleep you can see her sunny disposition. I know that one day we won't be able to get her to eat, we won't be able to bring her BUN or Creatin numbers down to a safer level or her disk pain will be so excrutiating that the Tramadol won't touch it.  I know that day could be next week or next month or maybe next year.  I know it's coming. But thank God, I know it's not today.

Memories of Max

Max came into our life in May of  2011. He was a mess, hair matted to the skin, toe nails long and twisted, blind with a severe case of dry eye, terrible teeth, arthritic joints, bad hips, yep, just a mess. And yet there was just something about him. Max made us smile. I wish I'd known him when he was younger, my guess is he was quite a corker.

He was old, cranky and hilarious. The first time he went to our vet they took him in the back for a blood draw. I heard him screaming. Yes, screaming, loudly, continuously. After a few minutes our vet came back in the room and said "Do you see me?" "Of course," I said. "Well, I'm not anywhere near Max, neither is anyone else," she said, and then I started to laugh because poor Max was still screaming his head off. He did not like being separated from the one person he knew and he wasn't shy about sharing his feelings. Yep, that was our Max.

Max was blind, we aren't sure if he could distinguish night from day but we are sure he was one very smart dog. He learned the layout of our home, then he mastered our yard. He understood the word "careful" and knew we were warning him of a potential danger and he would slow down and proceed with caution. Still, none of that stopped him. He RAN to the fence to bark at the neighbor's dog, he followed me around the yard and always, always cocked his head when he heard my voice. What a little joy he was.

Seven months, such a short amount of time and yet I am thankful for every day. This sweet old dog found a place in our home, our pack and our hearts. He left us today and he will be missed. We will miss his valient heart, his love of life, and his quirky ways. Max was a great little dog and he is going to be a great little angel. Goodbye sweet boy, mama loves you.

Tucker. . . .

We adopted Tucker in December of 2003. Wow, 8 years. Where did the time go? Back then our vet guessed Tucker was between 4 and 8 yrs which would make him between 12 and 16 yrs old now. He's aging and it's sad to watch. He no longer chases the chipmunks up the rain spout or trees a squirrel. His eyes are clouded with cataracts, it's clear he doesn't always hear what we say and yes, he sometimes gets confused and we must gently lead him to where he needs to go.

Tucker has been the guide dog, teacher, and alpha to our many fosters. He taught Mason to go up and down steps, he taught manners to a Yorkie pup name Brutus, trust to Myla the Pomeranian, gentleness to Gaylin and somehow managed to convey to all the dogs that passed through that they were safe.

He was such a gentle alpha that it took a few years for me to figure out he was the leader of our pack. Tucker didn't bark or bite he was simply respected by all of the dogs in his pack. When Nikki, Tom's little  2 1/2 lb Yorkie mix, came barreling in one day and attacked each dog Tucker stood his ground. When Nikki ploughed into Tuck's side and bounced off, Tucker gave her a head butt that sent her flying. She learned quickly, in this house dogs don't fight. When Taffy had episodes her last year of life, Tucker would gently curl around her and let her know she was safe until she came back to us.

His joints are not as flexible, he moves slower, he is less the alpha and more the patriarch in our pack now. We give him glucosamine, Missing Link and Omega 3 supplements  in hopes of keeping him healthy and comfortable. What can I say? He's a great dog and we know his time with us is limited so we enjoy each day with him.

No, he doesn't chase the chipmunks like he once did, but he has his days. Sometimes he'll wake from a nap, go outside to potty and forget that he is getting old. He'll walk around the yard and survey all he can see. He'll go from plant to plant and hike his leg. He'll stop at the grist mill in the garden and dig for the chipmunk whose family has lived there for many years. On occasion he is still spry and perky, he lets us know he still has a lot of life to live. He's a great dog and I'm so glad he's ours.

Someone left him in a cage outside a vet's office on one of the coldest nights of the year. At least they cared enough to dump him where he would be found quickly, put into a good rescue and placed in a loving forever home. Whoever you are, thank you. Tucker has been a joy to us since the day he moved in. He is home, he is loved, he is ours and in typical Tucker fashion he forgives you. So do I. . . . .

Max - old, blind, ouchy hips, missing teeth - loved a lot

 Max was found wandering and lost in a town south of us. He was matted from head to tail, his teeth were in terrible shape, the whites of his eyes were blood red and he had a hard time getting up from a sitting or laying position.

A rescue friend sent an email and we contacted the people who had found him and said, sure, we'll take him. Off to the vet  for an exam, dental (he lost 9 teeth) and trying to solve his eye problems. Finally a trip to the opthamalogist at Medvet where he was prescribed 4 different eye meds fixed him up. No more eye pain and the whites are white again. He's feeling better.

We are working on his stiff hips but let's face it, he's somewhere between 15 and 18 so there's only so much we can do. We add Missing Link to his meals and hope that will help his joints. Time will tell.

He has learned our yard, can come in the doggie door, he handles steps amazingly well and he can use the ramp to go both up and down when the mood hits him. He has mapped our house in his head and is quite comfortable as a Spoiled Royal. (See photo above) We don't know what happened and how he got lost with no one looking for him. Don't know why he wasn't vetted, why his eyes were allowed to get so bad and how an owner could let him matt to the skin but we do know that is all behind him. He is now an official Spoiled Royal. So glad you are here Maxxy!

The Pug Puppy Everyone Loves and the Rescue Who Saved Him. . .

This is Scooter/Sir Digby/Pugsley/Cuddles/T.Rex - the adorable pug with lots of names and a heart of pure gold. He is being held by Mike, one of the Pilots and Paws pilots. Mike picked Scooter up in Tennesee from an owner who was unable to help him.

We picked the puppy up at the airport and brought him home until we could do a transport the following weekend.  While he was here, we started calling him Pugsley - the name just seemed to fit for us.

He has a few medical problems. His left eye is larger than his right eye and his left eyelid will not close all the way when he blinks. His front legs go outward at the joint almost like flippers.We took him to an opthamologist while he was here - for now we are treating his eye with drops to keep it lubricated. The specialist said one possibility is surgery to extend his eyelid so it will cover his eye when he blinks. At some point in time, that eye will probably be removed.

As you can see in the video, Pugsley has the heart of a lion.  He knows no fear, loves the other dogs and does not seem to know there is anything wrong with his front legs. He was here for two weeks and he stole our hearts. He is now in New England where he will see an orthopedic specialist as well as another opthamologist. His treatment is going to be very expensive and a small rescue with a huge heart called Just a Touch Rescue has taken him under their umbrella. JATR takes the injured, damaged, ignored dogs and works miracles for them.  It's a tiny little rescue group with a home base in Rhode Island and foster homes through out the New England states. They never ask if a dog is worth the effort because to this group, all dogs are worth the effort - all dogs are valuable and deserve to live as good a life as they can provide.  This is a rescue worth your hard earned dollars, this is a rescue that cares more about the dogs than the politics, this is a rescue worthy of a dog like Pugsley.

An additional note on Pugsley. . . . There is a youngster in his foster home who decided to take over the care of this adorable little puppy. Pugsley has teeth, lots of sharp little puppy teeth and he is doing what all puppies do, he's teething.  His new foster buddy has named him T. Rex. LOL If you knew this little dog, you'd agree, T. Rex fits him perfectly.

If you are looking for a reputable rescue to support, one who would move mountains to save a little puppy from dying in a shelter because of his medical condition, please consider Just A Touch Rescue.  Scooter/Sir Digby/Pugsley/Cuddles/T.Rex would appreciate it.

You can go to the JATR website, click on the paypal donate button on the right side: http://www.justatouchrescue.com/ to make a donation or you can send a donation to their post office box at this address: Just A Touch Rescue, P.O. Box 610, Albion, RI 02801.

A Rescue With A Heart. . . .

Every now and again I am privileged to help with a transport for a pup in need of a rescue.  We helped an injured, long haired Chihuahua get to a really good rescue on St. Patrick's Day. This precious little guy, now named Buddy came from an indifferent home to a caring rescue.  Buddy's owner told me she came home from work one day in November to discover he couldn't walk. She had no idea what happen to him. (Can you say BS!?) Anyway, she saw no need to take him to a vet because a friend who knows "all about dogs" told her there was nothing a vet could do.  (Can you say BS!?) This sweet little dog spent 5 months dragging his back legs around literally rubbing his feet raw until WolfSpirits's Toy Breed and Puppy Mill Rescue heard about him.

This is Buddy the day he was rescued:

As you can see, Buddy adjusted to his untreated injury with spunk and courage and lots of heart.  Robin, with WolfSpirit's has been a God send to Buddy. He has a cart (thanks to a very generous donor) and he is at Robin's for the time being learning how to use his cart and having a great time with the other dogs. You can read more about him on his web page here: http://www.wolfspiritsrescue.com/animals/detail?AnimalID=3301960

If you, your friends or even your children are looking for a public service project to get involved in, perhaps you could consider a fundraiser for WolfSpirit's Rescue. It's a 501(c)3 charity and they are a very small (but mighty) group. Tell them Buddy sent you. . . . . 

I wonder. . . .

Michael Vick raised, fought, tortured, brutalized and killed pit bulls. He was arrested, tried, convicted and sent to prison for 23 months. He was released from prison, given a second chance to play professional football and the Humane Society of the United States did their best to white wash his actions.

I've never read or heard anything from any of his interviews suggesting he understands why what he did was wrong and why his behavior was so abhorrent. Recently he indicated that he wanted a dog and that a lifetime ban on pet ownership was not fair to his children. . . .what would he tell them? How could he explain this to them?

Well, he could tell them that at one point in his life, Daddy raised, fought, tortured, brutalized and killed pit bulls. He  could say Daddy was arrested, tried, convicted and sent to prison for 23 months.  As part of his sentence, he forfeited the right to own a dog for the rest of his life.  He could tell them that sometimes, even when you say you are sorry, even if you are sorry, even if you go to prison to pay your debt to society, the harm that you caused can be so great and so damaging that the impact lasts a lifetime.

I wonder why it doesn't occur to Michael Vick to simply tell his children the truth. . . . .

What's happening with the Spoiled Royals this week:

The Spoiled Royals  are sending birthday wishes to two of their Aunts. Elizabeth, who rescues German Shepherds had a birthday over the weekend and Carol whose birthday coincided with Martin Luther King day and resulted in her having her birthday off!

Moving right along, Sweetie and Gaylin were outside earlier playing in the snow. Their little feet were cold so they came inside after just a few minutes.

 Gaylin nestled into my jammies and took a nap on our bed earlier today. Isn't he the cutest little guy?

Sweetie, Punkin, Prince and Oscar jumped on the love seat and took a nap with their dad over the weekend. They are great little nap buddies.




Done for the day, stop back later in the week to see what the SR's are up to.



Laughs & naps

Around our house, it's very important to have a treat jar handy.  This one is on the sun porch. When someone actually potties outside, their treat is immediate. Maybe someday some of our mill dogs will "get it!"

Oscar and Gaylin thought it would be nice to try to grab a little sunshine while they napped. They love hopping on the back of the sofa and taking a nap. It also lets them look outside so they can keep an eye on the street outside our home. LOL

A gift from our youngest daughter Heidi. It's funny but oh so true! Here's a tip, buy stock in those sticky rollers, we go through them like candy!

Another Heidi gift. . . . yes, she is a happy and funny young lady. The dogs all love her too.

Nicki loves curling up on the sofa with her foster dad.

Do you think we need a larger sofa? Oscar, Gaylin, Nicki, Sweetie & Jim all conked out.

This gives you an idea of what it's like, "Goin' to the Dogs" at our place.

I want to save a rescue dog. . . .

I'm on several email lists that discuss various topics in rescue. Groups of strangers across the country join together to share thoughts, ideas, and suggestions to help pets in need. There are email lists that deal specifically with fundraising ideas, others that help transport pets from one end of the country to the other. Animal lovers share food recipes, medical information, and shoulders to cry on. Whatever your question, someone, somewhere on an email list can help.

For me, one of the challenges of finding a forever home for a foster dog is dealing with the applicants who are not the best choice for that particular dog. A rescue takes dogs into their hearts because the dog came from a sub-standard kennel or they were strays fending for themselves. Perhaps they were surrendered by an owner who could no longer afford their care or they had been tied outside for years. Or, their beloved owner could have died and they have no place to go. Most dogs in rescue have had a difficult time at some point and we want the rest of their lives to be better. For my fosters, I want the adopted home to be a great fit for both the adopters and the foster because I want the foster to be safe, loved and happy. Finding that home is often a process- kinda like the saying "you've got to kiss a lot of frogs before you find Prince Charming."

The poem below was emailed on one of my dog lists and included permission to share.  I've never met Marti Hough, the author of the poem, but I think we are sisters of the heart. . . .

I Want to Save a Rescue Dog

I want to save a rescue dog that no one else would pick.
But please... I couldn't handle one that was too old...or sick.


I want a dog with fluffy hair that's silky to the touch;
A dog I wouldn't have to groom (the work would be too much!).

My allergies are bad, and so the dog must never shed
or jump up on my velvet couch or sleep with me in bed.

The size is not important, but the dog can't be too tall.
And while I'm not being choosy, I'd prefer he not be small.

Cute and cuddly, sweet and smart and one who doesn't chew.
Of course he must be housebroken (my carpeting is new).

A dog who's quiet in his crate (I work twelve hours a day);
A dog who isn't hyper, and yet one who likes to play.

Of course all vetting must be done (it's easier for me).
And I don't want to pay a lot for an "adoption fee".

Ah, yes...it truly warms my heart to save a dog in need.
I'll pick a dog that no one wants: a noble choice indeed!


A dog that no one else could love: a homeless dog that's needy....
I only wish those rescues weren't so fussy--and so greedy!

Marti Hough
One Starfish Rehoming Connections
www.onestarfish.petfinder.com