Monday, April 1, 2013

Letter to a Pound Pup

Dear New Pup,

Welcome to our home! I hope you like it here. I know this is a very exciting time for you. New smells, new people, new places to explore... I'm sure it can be a bit overwhelming. I'm going to be honest with you, I was a little nervous, too. With only a picture from the county shelter website and a brief introduction in the meeting area, we were really relying on first impressions and gut instinct. We don't know how you landed in doggie prison, other than you were wandering around in the wrong place at the wrong time. We posted your bail, paid for your spay, and promised we will take care of you for the rest of your life. By the way, we think you are about one or two years old so we're expecting to spend many years with you.

Doing hard time in the Big House
Bustin' out of the slammer

To make this transition easier for both you and the rest of the group, I thought I'd give you a heads up on the house rules.

1. Play with your human sisters. I know they are loud and run around like monkeys on crack, but they are good kids. They like to throw the tennis ball down the hall. Please play along and grab it. You'll get bonus points if you bring it back to them. Every once in a while, be sure to give them a lick. They love that stuff. I see that you've already claimed my youngest daughter as your favorite. My heart melted when you laid beside her when she had a little stomach virus this weekend and refused to leave her side. Good girl. You're a good girl.

2. I know you have a bad hind leg. We see the scars and the x-ray confirms you have pretty severe arthritis in your knee. They think you might have suffered blunt force trauma there at one point in your young age. Please be patent with us as we try to manage your pain and make the best decision as to how to make it better. The vet said we have a few options, but it's pretty much guaranteed that we'll have to amputate your hind leg when you get older. I know it sounds horrible, but you're already learning to not use that leg as much and I think you would really rock the tripod look. Whatever we have to do, we'll always place your comfort and quality of life as top priority. For now, we'll try the other options and see how that works for you.

3. With that being said, it looks like the couch and the end of our bed are off limits to you. I don't think it's a good idea for you to try to climb up on or off of those high places. Please don't think that because your older fur sister, Bailey Grace, sprawls out like a pampered princess on our furniture that she is the golden child. We love you both equally. Feel free to sleep in any room you wish. I'll move your bed around for you.

4. As soon as the staples from your spay are removed and we can take off "The Cone of Shame," be prepared for a really thorough bath. You still smell like prison. I want to wash the past out of your fur. Bailey loves baths and loves being toweled off even more. I hope you feel the same. If not, I'll be quick and avoid getting water in your eyes.

I pulled at my stitches. Now I wear the "Cone of Shame."

5. Be patient with Bailey. Even though she's almost two years old, she's still a stupid puppy. She lost her older fur brother, Malcolm Reynolds, five months ago and she really missed his company. She might get a little too rambunctious when she wants to play because he was twice her size and he could handle it. You are twenty pounds lighter than her so let her know when she gets to be too much. She might pout for a while, but she'll always look out for you, just like she does for her human family. Last night, you cried out in your sleep. Bailey jumped off the bed and laid with you until you settled down. Once she knew you were okay, she jumped back on the bed and fell asleep. She doesn't know what you went through to earn those horrible scars around your chest and across your back, but she'll be there to help you move on. P.S. She'll always give up her bone or tennis ball to you. She's kind of a wimp. Please don't take advantage of that. P.P.S. I don't get why she needs to sniff your butt as much as she does... if that bothers you, feel free to tell her to knock it off.

This happened for at least 3 hours the first day. Bailey, you're such a perv.


6. Don't eat anything that is not food. Just don't. I'll keep the house clean to eliminate the temptation, but do me a solid and stick to dog food.

7. At least pretend to feel guilty about farting. We all know it was you.

8. Remember to suck up to the extended family, our friends, the vet, and neighbors. Show them that you are a good dog with a gentle disposition. (I've seen it first hand and I know that even with the abuse from your past, you still love people. I don't know if I could be that forgiving.) They will be the first ones to speak up against the media driven stereotype of pit bulls and the fear of rescuing animals from a shelter. You're our second pit bull and our third rescue from our county shelter. If more people witness what amazing companions you truly are, maybe more of your kind will find good homes. I will do my part to be a good owner and together we'll change opinions one good interaction at a time.


Squirrel! 

I know it sounds like a lot, but we'll work with you while you get adjusted to your new life here. I'm sorry I don't know your real name. The family decided on the name "Sidney Ray." We chose "Ray" for your middle name, because since you entered our home, you have been a ray of sunshine. Thank you for you sweet kisses and little grunts when I walk through the door each day. Thank you for loving my daughters and checking on them when they cry. Thank you for keeping Bailey company while we are at work and school. Thank you for making the decision to adopt another dog an easy one.



Love,
Your New Mommy

**Please support your local animal shelter. I bet you it's full and many wonderful animals are running out of time. You can adopt, foster, or donate. Sidney Ray was adopted from Gwinnett County Animal Shelter in Lawrenceville, GA. Thank you to the Helping Animals at Gwinnett County Shelter
 facebook page for posting that picture of Sidney. You did more than just save an animal that day.



Help control the pet population. Have your pets spayed or neutered. - Bob Barker

 


16 comments:

  1. it I love this post! It made me laugh and cry. Well done.

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    1. Dear A.A.,
      Thank you so much!! I hope one day you can meet Miss. Sid!
      Love,
      Terese

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  2. Very sweet post of a very sweet pup. I look forward to meeting her soon and seeing my bud, Bailey Grace, again. Love, poPs

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    1. Dear poPs,
      Sidney and Bailey want to know when you'll be back with treats and head pats...
      Love,
      Terese

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  3. They bring so much happiness in so many people's lives. I'm sure Sidney is thankful. My parents had an Italian Greyhound with a bad leg and the dog was chewing on furniture and everything else. She ended up shattering her leg on a jump and it was emergency amputation. The accident was a blessing in disguise since after that, the chewing stopped. Have fun with your new member of the family!

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    1. Dear Diane,
      What an amazing story! I suppose the chewing was a coping mechanism for the painful leg. I am so happy to hear that the amputation went well and that she was able to get around with out that bum leg. If we ever get to that point with Sidney, I hope she responds to it as well as your parents' dog did.
      Thank you so much!
      Love,
      Terese

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  4. *Tears* I have 4 fur babies and I can relate...and as you can guess I have a problem with leaving any Dog behind at a shelter! I am sure Sidney will bring your family great joy!

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    1. Dear Shari,
      Thank you so much! And yay for shelter dogs!! (Holy cow... 4 fur babies?! I can hardly keep up with my two!) If I could, I would bring them all home. Maybe some day when I win the lotto... :)
      Love,
      Terese

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  5. Good for you for adopting! And good for you for seeing the dog and not the breed sterotype.
    I hope you guys have many wonderful years together.
    B

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    1. Dear B,
      Thank you! When I look at my pit bulls, I see goofy mutts... not dangerous animals. Well, unless you count the destruction that they do to my carpet and the girls' toys left laying around... then they are vicious beasts.
      Thanks for reading!
      Love,
      Terese

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  6. Great way to welcome a new member of the family. She is a such a good girl!! We loved her the minute we met her. Welcome baby... we will love you more than you have ever been loved.
    Meme and Pepe!

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    1. Dear Meme & Pepe,
      Your grandpups asked when they can come over for cheese. No pressure... I just told them I would ask.
      Love,
      Terese

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  7. I just laughed and cried at such a wonderful post. Thank you so much for adopting!

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    1. Dear Ashley,
      Thank you so much! You know, they say that when you adopt a pet, they are grateful... I believe it. You can just tell they know they're going to be okay. I think that is enough reason for me to always adopt a pet. I just wish more people would do the same.
      Thank you so much for reading!!
      Love,
      Terese

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  8. **happy happy tears and a snoopy dance** thank you so much for having such an open heart, home and mind......they are lucky pups to be in your family as i am sure you feel you are lucky to have them. xoxoxo

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    1. Dear Anon,
      Yay for the snoopy dance!! I do feel lucky with my pups. They are a great addition to our family. They are sweet and funny and full of love! (And they are naughty enough to keep me on my toes... not that my kids don't already do that. I guess I'm a glutton for punishment.) ;)
      Thank you so much for reading and commenting!!
      Love,
      Terese

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