Tuesday, November 16, 2010

SHE'S A WINNER!

I’m going to tell you a secret…  I’m a softie ~ a push over ~ a soft touch ~ a heart for the underdog ~ literally.  Sometimes my heart is bigger than my brain.  And I love old dogs.
This week, I adopted an old dog.  Correction, I adopted another old dog.
But, before I tell you about her, I want to tell you a little story.  I had three little dogs for many, many years.  Elvira was the oldest.  I wasn’t looking for a dog the day I took her home.  I was walking my dog when a woman down the street asked me if I wanted a puppy.  It was 1983.  I already had 2 dogs and I was packed up to move to South Florida to take my new job as personnel manager of a state prison.  My plate was full and a new puppy just wasn’t in the plan.  But, I looked…  They were all adorable.  My heart was untouched ~ so far.  Then I noticed a puppy sitting off to the side.  She had the biggest brown eyes and a huge worm belly.  Something happened when our eyes connected.  It was kind of like a spark ~ recognition of two old souls.  The moment was magical and I knew she was special.  Without a thought, I said ~ “I’ll take that one.”  My brain was saying ~ “OMG.  That puppy is going to die if she doesn’t get help.”  It was a cold day.  I took her home under my jacket and to the vet the next day.  He confirmed my worst fear.  She was in serious trouble with parasites at the ripe old age of 6 weeks.  She had a rough few days.  She passed more worms than anyone could have imagined.  The crisis was over and she lived with me for the rest of her life.  She died June 2000 at 17 years of age.   
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Then, later, I acquired a miniature dachshund, and a Maltese.  Cocoa and Jake were the best buds in the world and Elvira was never far away.  Jake and Cocoa grieved when Elvira died.  When Cocoa died, I found Jake sleeping with his body.  Then Jake died just 8 days after Cocoa in the spring of 2002.  Could it have been because of a broken heart?  Cocoa was 15 and Jake was 16. 
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In less than 2 years, I had lost all three of my dogs.  My heart was broken and I did not have another dog for almost 2 years.  When I finally felt like I could give another dog love without grieving for my three who had been with me all those years, I started thinking about getting another dog.  I thought and thought about what I wanted.  What breed, what size, male or female?  I wanted just the right companion.  I thought about everything for a couple of months.  I was still working, so I had the welfare of the dog to consider.  Getting a pet is a BIG decision and no one should act on impulse.  I wondered if I had the energy and time for a puppy – the housebreaking, the chewing, whining and barking.  One day, in total frustration at my inability to make a decision, I said to myself ~ out loud ~ ”You probably forgot how to take care of a puppy anyway…all you know are old dogs!”  That was the very instant an idea was born.  I would not go find some cute puppy.  I would find an old dog that no one wanted.  It was January 2004 when I adopted Vinnie.  His age was estimated at 10-12 years.  He was a rescue.  Vinnie was with me until May 12, 2010.
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In March 2004, I saw a wizened old yorkie at the pound.  One look convinced me that no one would adopt her.  Someone threw her out on I-4 like a piece of trash.  I don’t know how she survived, but she did.  The vet said she was close to 20 yrs old.  She lived another 6 ½ months while being treated like a little princess.   I named her Katie and she was 3 ½ pounds of pure, sweet sugar.  She died while one of the 2004 hurricanes was slamming my house and it was my worst birthday ever.
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Then came Maggie Mae in January 2005.  She was not much more than skin and bones.  She was flea infested and, due to her flea allergy, had chewed most of her hair off.  Her skin was raw from all the chewing.  I saw her pic on the pound website and her misery was etched in the expression on her face.  Maggie Mae’s pound picture:
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There were no adoption applications on her and she was nearing her end.  I knew I had to help her.  Yes…I adopted her.  With good veterinary care, love and attention, she is now 15 and a beautiful little dog.  They said she is long haired chihuahua.   When her hair grew in, it turned out she is Papillion and a beautiful girl at that!  Maggie Mae today:
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I didn’t intend to get another dog so soon after Vinnie died, but another little dog at the pound came to my attention last week.  She is approximately 8 years old.  She was confiscated due to an eviction.  I asked specifically what that meant.  Basically, it means she got left behind.  As is common with older dogs, she was in the pound from May 19 until I saw her June 3 without one single adoption application.  Small dogs usually have applications placed in the first couple of days after arriving at the pound.  I was concerned that she was there just over 2 weeks already without even one application.  After discussing with my husband, I went back and put in an adoption application the next day.  She came home Monday after her spay surgery.  Wednesday, she was seen by my own vet.  Her health issues are really minor.  This is her pound picture:
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Why did no one want her?  She has a flea allergy.  To the inexperienced eye, it looks like mange.  It is not mange.  One eye was matted closed and she has kennel cough…hello…too long at the pound and completely treatable.  She was lethargic because of the kennel cough.  It feels like the flu. Today, she romped in the backyard and we had our first photo shoot.  She feels much, much better and it shows. 
We named her Molly…  
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I don’t have statistics for the number of dogs that are not adopted – who end up being euthanized.  I could research the statistics, but I am pretty sure I don’t want to know how many unwanted pets are killed.  Puppies are cute and fun.  Most people want puppies.  Hardly anyone wants the older dogs.  I want to point out the plus side of an older dog…
ü   Older dogs are usually housebroken
ü  They are way past the chewing stage
ü  Often, they are more obedient
ü  They seem to know and appreciate that you have given them a chance for life
I am like a one little old lady rescue organization.  I do not have a house full of dogs.  I have only two.  Two small dogs at a time are all I can reasonably handle.  I take on no more than I can afford to properly care for.  Anything more is irresponsible.  I wish I could save more old dogs, but I do what I can do.  To adopt an older dog is a small thing, but it is HUGE for the dog because you are saving a life.  I know I’m not putting any big dents in statistics, but I will save one life at a time, give them a healthy, caring home and keep them for the rest of their lives.  I wish I could do more for the old dogs.
I hope the next time you decide to get a pet; you will consider a shelter pet.  If you want a puppy or kitten, they have plenty of them too.  They gave me a new owner package when I brought Molly home.  In the package was a bumper sticker that says it all:
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Think about it….
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So….Who’s the winner?  Molly or me?  I’ll let you be the judge.
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UPDATE:  This was written last June, shortly after we adopted Molly.  She settled into our home very well.  She is smart.  There is never any question about if she needs to go outside....SHE TELLS US...LOL.  Yep!  We have a "talker".  We are constantly smiling at her charming ways and she has brought much joy to us.  She is now the picture of health.  This was 2 weeks ago:


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Isn't she precious?
 

13 comments:

  1. Let me tell you something. You are so right. We has a puppy for many years..a tea cup yorkee. I paid out the ass for her She got an infection one night and we brought her to a vet, not our regular vet. They said she'd be fine till we could see our vet the next day. Well, she died that night once we took her to the ER. So sad. Our next puppies were much like some of yours. We had another dog from a rescue next time. She was with us for 8 years. She was about 6. We moved to a new house and she got ran over. However, the dog we have now is amazing. We got her from the shelter not too long after the hurricane. She is an older girl. She's about 9. THE BEST dog ever. She was house trained and so well behaved. I don't know if she was lost from the storm, but she is the best. That shelter didn't require an adoption fee or anything and when we got her, unknown to us, she was already 4 days pregnant. Puppies came, we found good homes. I kept one. NOT so good..LOL But I love her and both are still with us. A cpl months ago someone threw an old dog in our neighborhood. He is such a sweetheart. He stayed on our porch day and night till I finally brought him in. All he does is crawl into any available lap. that's it. He barks when he needs to go outside. Then, back to a lap..if one is unavailable he will bark to let you know he needs one. I haven't gotten him to the vet yet, but he's old..like older than the ones I have. I would guess close to 11. I just can't imagine why someone would have abandoned him. Needless to say. the older dogs...SO much more worth it. And, next time, I will look for an older one.

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  2. Katie died just that quick too. She had an abscess tooth. We were hunkered down for the hurricane and there was nothing we could do except watch her die. I was so upset because I would have had her to a vet if I could have gotten out. I was shocked at how fast a little teacup yorkie can die. I would love to have another one, but now I'm afraid they die too easily.

    I am so proud of you Jeff!!! This makes me love you more (if that is possible). You are awesome and I am so glad you are my friend! xoxox

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  3. I think it's wonderful that you've committed yourself to these unwanted dogs; it's such a sad deal and I can't understand people who just toss animals away with no thought. My pets are like my kids and are as close to parenthood as I'll ever get, heh. Imagine just deciding one day you can no longer afford your kid and just dumping her off on a country road. Pathetic.

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  4. I know! I always say that a pet is not disposable. When I get one, it is for life. Neither do I run off to the vet and have them euthanized when they grow old. I knew a guy once that had his beautiful doberman pincher euthanized because he said his dog's scratching drove him crazy. That was about 35 years ago and I get mad all over again whenever I think about it. That dog had a wonderful personality and he was beautiful. The guy said his dog had a skin condition. He did not! I would have given his dog a home if he had only told me what he was going to do. No way would I have stood by and let him do that!

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  5. I really like your site. Excellent content. Please continue posting such profound cotent.

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  6. I just wanted to make a quick comment to say I’m glad I found your blog. Thanks

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  7. I was blowing my nose and wiping the tears off of my face by the end of this article. Good for you, Darlene. It made me think of the many dog stories I have to tell. Maybe some day, if I can see through my tears, I'll write them.

    I'm signing in as Anonymous, for simplicity's sake, but I'm Cowgirl, AKA Pennie.

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  8. Darlene--you have given your heart and soul to these wonderful animals. I so agree that they know you gave them a chance and the loyalty that ensues from that is incredible.

    You have read at least some of my story, I know. We see no issue having older dogs or cats as long as we can afford their health care. And so far, we can.

    I love what you do and who you are. I'm so glad you found me (somehow).

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  9. Thank you, Larry. I don't remember how I found you. I read a lot of blogs and, also, my curiosity leads me many places. I only speak up when I really have something to say.

    So far, we have been able to afford the health care for so many pets. Not only do we have these two little dogs, who BTW have both had to have surgery for tumors - one cancer and one benign - but I have my deceased Mother's 6 cats who I could not take to the pound plus 2 cats of our own. Mom also had about 8 parakeets that were quite old. I have one left. The care for 6 more cats over the past 3 years has stretched my retiree budget, but so far, so good and I will keep doing it for the rest of their lives. I always say that "Pets are not disposable."

    Also, I thank you for what you and your wife do. I'm glad I found you too. I just hope I bookmarked... der...

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  10. If we ever get another animal, it will either be acquired as a stray or we will rescue an older one. You made such good points I never thought of before, especially the housebroken and trained part. Plus I know they'd know they were saved and be thankful for it. Once we settle out in CA then I will think of getting more pets depending on the size of where we live and when we get our own place that we aren't renting. <3 <3

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    1. (((hug))) I am so happy you have made this decision. You won't be sorry.

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  11. Darlene I so admire what you do for older dogs! I don't adopt older dogs, but every dog I've had I do get from a shelter. The conditions of the shelters here in SoCal just make me sick, I wish I could handle more, and had the money to take care of them all. They put them on 10 day holds in case they have owners, then they are given 3 to 4 days to be adopted out, then you know. The rescues here do what they can.

    Bookmarked your blog!

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    1. 3-4 days? They hardly get a chance to live. That is awful!

      I have to limit myself to only 2 dogs at a time, but we also have 8 cats and currently, 4 strays are eating here.... I can't help myself. I feed them and if they are around on flea drop day, they get drops too. Two of the strays need to be wormed. I'm working on getting that done. Also, these two have been hanging here so long, we are thinking about getting them neutered and shots. But, that takes a lot of money. We already have 8 cats getting annual shots, routine worming and flea drops. Of course we have neutered them all. Adding 2 more to call our own adds another approx. $800 new pet expense for neutering and shots. The vets here are not cheap... But, we will probably do it...

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