Thursday, October 14, 2010

Special Needs ~

I'm sitting here wondering what I've gotten myself in to. I guess I need to start at the beginning. I got a phone call this morning at work asking if there was any way I could pick up a pug at a kennel in Cleveland today and could I possibly foster her. The only thing I knew was that she was an eight to ten year old fawn female who needed to get to the vet ASAP because she had very bad dry eye syndrome. I'm not sure I was ready to foster so soon and I REALLY liked not having a dog to walk at 6 am. OK, so I agree to foster her. The first thing to decide is a name. No two pugs coming in to Ohio Pug Rescue are given the same name so after many hundreds (thousands?) of pugs, names can be somewhat of a challenge. Lately, they have been picking a "theme" each month and naming accordingly. Last month was cereal month, so we had Chex, Kix, Apple Jack (AJ), Kashi, etc. The month before, rock stars ~ Cher (Eema's pug sister), Bon Jovi, Aerosmith. Get the picture? Well, this month is fabrics. Suggestions were Taffeta (Taffy) or Polly Esther. Polly wasn't too bad, but I thought something to do with my hooking might be good. I was told Wool(ie) sounded like a boy, so when I suggested Linen (since I hook on linen), they loved it. I guess it's a good thing I don't hook on monk's cloth (monk-ie?)! So I figure she will be my Linnie.
Anyway, back to the story. I leave work early to pick her up at the shelter. The first thing I am given is her eye ointment for her dry eyes and told she is blind from it having been untreated. OK, I guess I can handle that. I have heard from many people how well blind dogs adapt. I carry her to the car for the drive home. If you know anything about pugs, you know that they shed ~ A LOT!!! By the time I got home, I was pug hair head to foot. I'm sure it was partly due to stress and partly due to the fact that she is a pug.
So Fritz takes her to a grassy area while I run in the house. Now I find out that she has problems walking. What else could be wrong? At the vet, I find out. An ear infection and really bad teeth and severe arthritis in one hip.
She's had a bath and smells so much better. It was good to get rid of the awful kennel smell.
She has paced the house this evening (as my mom would have said "more nervous than a whore in church"...lol!) running in to walls and stuff, but she already knows where to find the food and water. She's finally worn her self out and is sleeping contentedly on the couch next to the computer desk.
If you've stuck with me this long, let me introduce my Linnie.


Thank you so much for stopping by and reading about my new foster. I will get on my high horse once again and ask that your PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE, NEVER, NEVER, NEVER buy an animal from a pet store. There are too many dogs (cats, skunks, horses, etc) just like Linen looking for someone to love them and get them out of those awful kennels.
Pug hugs :)
Lauren

17 comments:

weaverpat said...

Oh, Lauren! That poor little girl looks like she's had a difficult life!
But today was her Luck Day when she came to stay with you!
Bless you for being the kind hearted person you are!!! I know these little guys appreciate all the good care that you give them.
.

Alice ~ Folk Art Primitives said...

Oh, Lauren ~ you are the best! I don't know if I could do that!!! I hope someone wants her to be their doggie ~ I'm putting it out to the universe!

Cathy G. said...

Lauren,
What an absolute perfect name for her! Linnie! Is it that people get these animals and then can't afford the vet bills? So sad when they have to suffer. You will be as good for her as she will be good for your beautiful and caring soul. I'm with Alice and asking the Uni for her gracious and caring energies for you and Linen!
((Hugs))
Cathy G

Joanne said...

You are a wonderful person to take her in - she is one lucky pug to have you for a foster MOom. She's cute! Poor baby with her problems but I'm sure you will make it easier for her

The Barn Door said...

Oh bless you Lauren. How wonderful for her that you came into her life. Bless her furbaby heart...and yours!!
Karen

COLONY HOMESTEAD said...

awwww..bless her heart and bless you for taking her in ....our pug has mega-e...

moosecraft said...

So glad that Linnie is able to spend some time with you! She is surely appreciative of you caring for her!

Jacqueline said...

her story just breaks your heart. Here is hoping she finds a good forever Mom or Dad

Doris said...

Oh Lauren, her pictures made me cry! I don't know how people can treat animals that way. What a wonderful person you are to take her - I'm sure she will prove to be a loving wonderful companion. Eloise and I will be praying for you both,

Tamera's Craft Palace said...

I'm having trouble typing because of the tears in my eyes. How anyone could mistreat an animal.......I just can't begin to understand.
Linnie is beautiful...and you will have her thriving under your love and care.
God had a purpose when He had eema go to her forever home when she did... this pug angel would soon be needing YOU!!!

Kathy (woolfind) said...

You are Blessed to have the heart and the home to take these animals in. It's wonderful what you are doing, and I pray that Linen finds a good home. So sad what they go through, and I'm sure she will find your home very comforting very soon.

My Colonial Home said...

OMGosh Lauren...you have a heart that won't stop.

THANK GOD FOR PEOPLE LIKE YOU...and you know what? I think if I looked into her sweet little face there would be no way I could traumatize her further by putting her into yet ANOTHER household...

I would so hope to hear you say this is where she has found her final HAPPY HOME....she's already so badly stressed by the problems with her own body to say nothing of being taken from place to place....WHAT AN ADORABLE DOG.

If only we could have one she'd be mine...seriously.

ShabbySheep said...

You are a special woman for taking in the "un-wanteds". We all have something that's not quite perfect, don't we? What if nobody loved us just because of some imperfection?
Bless you,
xo Sheri

kelley said...

What a dear you are Lauren...Linnie has brought tears to my eyes too, what a sad little girl...thank you for having such a big heart to take her in and give her a chance at finding a forever home...big hugs!

acorn hollow said...

Your heart is so huge and your spirit is amazing. That little dog needed you but as you know she has something to teach you. Be still,listen,and watch.
many blessings
Cathy

Jane said...

You have such a wonderful heart Lauren. Linnie has finally found someone to love and be good to her. I will pray every night that she finds her forever home.

Tammy Burks said...

Lauren,
I just know that Linen will blossom at your house. Seeing old dogs like that in need of a home really touches a place deep inside me. We've been fortunate to have a few dogs until they were old and gray in the muzzle and they just hold a special place in my heart. I hope someone out there finds a place in their home and their heart for her.
Blessings to you,
Tammy