*Just wanted to note that I am currently having some email issues, so if anyone is waiting on a reply, I will do so as soon as I get it resolved. I sincerely apologize for the inconvenience.
Well, Miss Sophie visited the surgeon on Thursday, and we found out a bit of news that we were not expecting. The doctor asked her foster mother, Renee, to sit down, and then told her what none of us ever thought we’d hear. He stated that Sophie did not have a cleft palate…she’d been shot in the face. SHOT. SHOT with a GUN. Renee was shocked, I was shocked when she told me, and the look on my mother’s face said it all when I explained things to her. Actually, shock doesn’t seem to describe it. Astonishment magnified by a few thousand might…
Unfortunately we know that animals are victims of gunshot, arrows (like Robin/Grace who we took into rescue last year). This is a terrible part of life that seems to happen despite our efforts. What makes this seem even worse is that she is a PUPPY. A BABY. This would be in comparison to a human infant. Someone deliberately shot a 3-4 month old puppy, who without question is nothing more than an innocent bundle of affectionate and playful fur. She’s a puppy who only smiles, kisses and wants to play.
What kind of person aims and shoots at a baby? What chemical make up is this in a so called “human.” Quite frankly, to me this is more of a beast…not a human.
Our reaction was shock…then anger…then heartache…then anger yet again. By the end of the day I was stewing and spitting nails, wanting to get ahold of the idiots that did this to such a sweet being. I was, in a word, furious and showing my immature side by wishing for an influx if starving bed bugs in the person’s sheets who did this to Sophie. GRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
After finding out the true cause of the hole in her mouth, we were faced with what to do next. The surgeon said he can indeed do the surgery, but it will cost between $1500 and $2100. So now we’re on a mission to raise funds for this surgery. How can we not? You’ve seen how happy and loving she is…how much she enjoys living…she deserves this.
Shot in the face…why in the world did this precious girl have to endure such excruciating pain? Can you imagine…?? Tears came to my eyes, and I’m sure Renee did the same. I imagined the horror, the fear, the pain…Sophie is much stronger than I am.
Please keep her in your prayers. Please say a prayer that we come up with the money sooner vs. later. Feel free to send virtual hugs and kisses to Miss Sophie…her foster mother will be more than happy to deliver them! 
Sophie’s foster mother filmed another video of Miss Sophie - all of that cuteness is a perfect way to start the day!
I’m sitting here working diligently at my full time job, and harboring in the back of my mind a story that has really touched me today. The story is of a sweet baby, a kind lady, and good people.
I received a phone call one afternoon from an individual named Renee, who lived near my recent home in TN, explaining that her and her husband had taken in a Great Pyrenees puppy who’d been abandoned and was in poor shape. She stated she was in need of some guidance since she wasn’t familiar with the breed. Upon a return phone call she told me the story of “Sophie,” the Pyr puppy she had taken into her home. The weak side of me melted, wanted immediately to drive back to TN to get the puppy, and my heart broke for this sweet baby and her hardships. At the same time I thanked the good Lord that she was somewhere safe and in gentle hands. The logical side of me, however, explained to Renee that I’d just moved and wasn’t really in the position to take in any animals, as I was still up to my ears in boxes, still perfecting the yard, etc., but that I’d be happy to refer her to other Pyr rescues, while still doing what I could for her. She was very grateful, and I could hear the genuine selflessness and tremendous heart radiate through her words. I vowed to find assistance for her since she’d gone out of her way for this precious pup. So very few will take on such a duty, and when someone does they are considered a treasure in my book.
Fast forward to the present: Several conversations later both via email and telephone, all logic out the window, we decided to just go for the gusto, take Sophie into rescue (Thank you, Renee, for offering to foster her!), get her the medical treatment she needed, and help her find her a forever home. Well, on the ball and working for the greater good, Renee had already video taped Sophie and talked with a family who is now applying for Sophie. Everything seemed to be falling into place. However, there was a catch…before Miss Sophie can go anywhere, she must have surgery.
You see, Sophie…on top of being emaciated, abandoned, COVERED in enormous ticks, having a possible respiratory infection, an under bite (which I have to say is the CUTEST thing), and having a large abscess on her nose…has a cleft palate. The cleft palate requires surgery by a board certified surgeon so that it won’t interfere with her breathing and eating. So, again, being on top of things, Renee (after several vet visits already), worked with her veterinarian to get her into the surgeon. As of next Thursday, the 7th, Miss Sophie will be preparing herself for surgery and recovering in the loving home of her foster mother, Renee. At $1000-$2000 it will be costly, which is a bit daunting, and we need all of the support we can get, but this fourth month old puppy deserves the chance at a long healthy and happy life.
*Side note: Let me thank Dr Baker, who has been tending to Sophie, for her assistance, her big heart, and for her contributions. She could have easily turned Sophie and Renee away, but instead she opened the door for them and immediately began taking care of Sophie.
To boot, while showing another foster mother and friend Sophie’s photos, she stated that she knew Ms Renee and that she was an absolute fabulous lady! So after our chat, and all caught up in the “neatness” of everyone being acquainted, I sat back down to work and began thinking as I chipped away at the keyboard. I couldn’t help but sit there with a smile on my face, feeling almost elated, knowing that all of this was happening for a reason…that reason being Sophie.
Sadly, I’m afraid I must admit that as time passes you tend to become jaded while working in the world of “rescue.” So many heartaches come your way on a daily basis, your own heart breaks b/c you can’t do more, and you see such extreme cruelty and heartlessness, selfishness, barbaric actions even, and you tend to become frustrated with the majority of the world. Daily you hear “I don’t have time for it…” (should have thought about that before you made a commitment to a living being), or “It’s too big” (did the 25lbs at 6wks old not prepare you for this?), or “uh…it was a stray…it’s not mine” (uh-huh…), or “I’m moving and can’t take the 10lb cat with me” (because it takes up too much room??), or “It has to go NOW and you need to take it!” (and exactly why is that?), or even “I just don’t want it” or “I’ve had her for 10yrs, but if I can’t find a home for her I’ll have to take her to the pound” (what will you do with your kids when you tire of them?). One of my favorites is “It peed in the house,” as if it’s genetic make up and instincts are engineered to make it NOT to potty indoors and it’s a malfunction that it did. Responsibility is ignored, shunned, and those who claim responsibility are looked at as freaks because instead of being cowards, they follow through with their commitments. In rescue you see a side of the human race that is ugly and flat out mean, even in the “nicest” of people. It’s hard not to become angry, and prayer is a constant. Adoptive families who endure the adoption process and welcome these animals into their homes and their hearts are, in my opinion, nothing short of spectacular and will be blessed for the love that they pass along to these animals.
So, my point to all of this is that on days like today, I am reminded of the good in people, and that there truly is love all around. From Renee, to Dr Baker, to my foster parents who have given so much, to my veterinarians and their staff who have bent over backwards to support me (this includes you, Lisa), to the adopters and supporters who keep me chugging along with their encouragement, to the donators who give so much of themselves, and to the friends who listen to my animal stories and don’t call me crazy for living with so much fur…to my family for buying me dog food and hauling multiple dogs per car, 8 hours and 3 states away…to my brother who loaded up crate after crate, walked dog after dog, and let Hogan rest his head on his lap while driving the elephantine Penske truck…and to the animals that remind me on my grouchy days that they still love me, despite my moaning, groaning and bad attitude. It all boils down to good old fashioned kindness.
As for Sophie…see for yourself why it’s so easy to open up your heart. Disregarding surgery is not an option, as she will continue to bless someone with her kind heart, her joy, and abundance of love, living a long, full life. We do need support and assistance, so please share her story with your friends, and if you feel led to contribute toward her surgery, let me thank you in advance on behalf of Renee and her family, myself, and Sophie. We’ll be happy to take you on the journey with us through her developments, and we invite you to be a part of it. Even if you simply say a prayer for Miss Sophie, we will be more than grateful. I think after one look at the happy grin you’ll understand why we are so determined.
( http://youtube.com/watch?v=rIzUzrIML1Y )
We’re on our way, Sophie! 
“To all the people in Cat Land….
BITE the hand that holds the camera.”
Well, after eating more than my share of “Extreme Moose Tracks” today, I decided it was high time for me to get my fanny in gear and do some exercise. I’ve gained some weight that truly needs to come off, and although I’ve lost a portion of it, I certainly don’t want it back on due to the “EMT.” I have plenty to lose, believe me, so I thought….”hmmm…everything else is online…surely there are exercise videos out there, too?” I had to look online because I’m nowhere near unpacking yet, and I still don’t have the TVs and VCR/DVDs hooked up, let alone the ability to find the exercise videos. So, I began a quest for some exercise to rid the many extra chins and the infinite number of love handles.
I found a neat website, slimtree.com, and there were actually numerous videos of various types of exercise. I did a few, starting off slow and only working about 12 minutes. One must work progressively when ending a relationship with the infamous “EMT,” after all. During my work out, I found that I was having a little difficulty, not b/c I was struggling, but due to several toes, tails and noses underneath my feet. Frustrated, I said “guys, you need to move.” My Hogan simply refused. I lost count of how many times I crushed his toes. Madison stood at a distance, confused, worried and wondering what her mother had smoked. On a real active set of 16, she ran. China sat and watched, mesmerized, and ended up doing her own sort of workout. She flopped on her back, wiggled around, and did a sort of “hop,” if you will, landing on top of Will. He felt this was a flirtatious way of playing and jumped right in. Of course this was after he’d bounced around the office w/me, completely oblivious to my “work” and thriving in the joy of “waggle time.” He bounced in beat to the music and wagged precisely at the correct time of my “twist.” We were as one. “Twist right, 2, 3, 4″ … “waggle left, 6, 7, 8!!!”
Noelle just sighed and laid down, annoyed at the disruption of sleep. Layla rushed to my side, sensing a sort of seizure activity, while obediently putting her head next to me for a leaning post, and resting her solid body next to mine. She accepted the knocks on the head and the rump slammed up against her hips with dignity and devotion. Mother was obviously in a medical emergency, and she had to commit herself and assist. When I said “Layla, it’s okay, go lie down”…she quickly escaped. Hogan continued to lie there, unphased at the trampling of his ear.
Echo curled her little black body even tighter into a ball and pretended she wasn’t embarrassed.
Now they are all exhausted, either from trauma or humiliation…which I’m not sure. I do know, however, that I’ve received both frightened and annoyed looks, all in one. I suppose tomorrow, when I take it a step further, they might tackle me and hold me down in an attempt to end the misery.
If Tatonka were here, he’d undoubtedly look at me like this:
“Stupid humans….”
Burton…he’s just happy.
…as is China!
Brigadier and Belle, my two sweeties, give a thumbs up on the tile floors.
“How much is that doggy in the window…?”
Benny is very happy!
Lots of doggy activity in the new yard.
Hughey is happy b/c he has a new home and adoptive family! Yeah Hughey!!
Johnny is quite happy that the new house has sticks.
“There’s a cat on my foot.”
“No, I’m serious…there’s a cat on my foot.”
“Kindly explain to me why there is a gate in front of this bedroom.”
“To pounce or not to pounce….that is the question….”
Baker (my cat) and Lewis share a drawer.
Lewis feels the need to always be close.
Again….just happy.
Madison makes sure to pick the smallest spot in the house to sit.
The definition of insanity….
“Cat on a cool cardboard box.”
“Don’t do it….I mean it….DON’T do it!!”
“It’s perfectly normal. Don’t bother me.”
“I’m starving….”
Kissy-poo-poo-girl, China, makes sure Mavis is okay.
“Why do you look at me is if there is a problem?”
“LOVIN’ this trunk!!!!”
“I do love this trunk….”
“It’s my trunk….leave me alone.”
My Fred has one last day in the sun.
Head interference!
My Theodore…yet another box cat.
Lewis…AKA: Fly Patrol.
“Enough of the camera mom…”
“Ditto….”
“I did not sniff the paint!!!”
Lots of dawgs.
Madison patiently waits for her turn in the chair.
“Mom, I don’t have a chair…she got the chair….”
My Lily wonders if the chaos will ever end…
Well, we’re making progress with the move, and finally have a new phone number! It is already noted on the website, as well as an address change. Emails will remain the same. Feel free to contact us at anytime!