Celebrating Every Day

About two years ago, my dadz was perusing the Petfinder site, for no particular reason.  "I'm stunned at how many dogs, just like Mattie, are out there in need of a home," said dadz.  Momma, since she is involved in many animal adoption activities, was, sadly, not surprised by the number of doggies in need of forever homes.  It had been 9 years since my momma and dadz found me and took me home from the local animal shelter.  But I remember that day like it was yesterday.

Momma and dadz went to breakfast and while they were eating dadz tells momma about a little Shih Tzu that he came across on the animal adoption website. "He's nearly blind and deaf, and is on heart medication," offered my dadz.  "Oh, and he's 14...." dadz voice trailed off while momma ate her bagel and sipped her coffee. I sat on the bistro deck, watching them talk and hoping that one of them would drop something on the ground so I can get a little nibble.  "You know, he probably doesn't have that long," said dadz, "and, well...."

"You think we should take him in and love him for the short time he has left," offered momma. They both laughed and momma snuck me a little piece of her bagel underneath the table, where I was sitting. "I saw that," said dadz. "Saw what? Lets go look at the little guy in need of saving," said momma.  Dadz scooped me up, brushed the bagel crumbs from my chin and soon we were off in our car, zooming back home to see what we could find out about the 14 year old, blind, deaf Shih Tzu.

Dadz called the number listed on the little Shih Tzu's posting and talked with Lori, a super excited lady who could not believe that someone would be willing to take the little guy in. "He has two heart medications, he can't see too great, and well, some other things, but he's got a heart of gold," exclaimed Lori.  After dadz hung up the phone, he told momma the story of the little Shih Tzu. "His main caretaker died, and the remaining spouse didn't like animals and didn't take care of the two dogs. He brought them in to the vet to have them 'put down,'" said dadz. "One could not be saved, but this little golden Shih Tzu was, with a little help, fine.  Lori worked at the vet and she intervened and took care of him."

Snoozin' Time

Momma and dadz decided no creature deserves, specially after giving a life-time of love, to be treated in this manner; and so, they booked a flight for the little Shih Tzu.  The little doggy came to live with us two years ago.  Yes, you read that right, two years ago. When he came to us he would barely eat, his nose was dry, he had a number of respiratory infections, and had all but given up. Through the determined love of my parents he lost weight, is off all of his medications, wakes up each morning eager to eat his little sweet potato breakfast; and has little textured rugs throughout the house, and out the doggy door, that helps him get around the house. 

Love is an amazing thing. It changes the course of one's life. It bridges the gaps and heals the pains. It gives you a reason to go on....and the recipient learns how to give it back.  Love is a gift that once given keeps on returning.  Soon we will celebrate OD's, the older little Shih Tzu that came to live with us, 16th birthday.  What will we do? Pretty much the same thing we do every day... a little morning treat, some cuddling, a morning walk through the park and then relax until we do it all over again at dinner time.  I think this will be the perfect way to honor OD's birthday, giving him the type of love and atmosphere that he can count on.  A day filled with love.  A day filled with gratitude.  Our gratitude for him being in our lives.

With lub and blessings,
MattieDog (and OD)