New foster, Gwenyth.

This is the picture from the shelter of Gwenyth, my new foster. She was rescued in a puppy mill seizure along with her two 5 week old puppies. She is not much more than a baby herself. We will get a better picture of her, this one does not do this sweet girl justice. She is so loving, especially considering where she came from. Her adopters, whomever they will be, will be lucky to get this sweetie. In the meantime, she is certainly livening up our household.

Good tissue alert!

To My Foster Parents (and especially to Mardy from Heidi Ho Ho)

There I sat, alone and afraid,
You got a call and came right to my aid.
You bundled me up with blankets and love.
And, when I needed it most, you gave me a hug.
I learned that the world was not all that scary and cold.
That sometimes there is someone to have and to hold.
You taught me what love is, you helped me to mend.
You loved me and healed me and became my first friend.
And just when I thought you'd done all you do,
There came along not one new lesson, but two.
First you said, "Sweetheart, you're ready to go.
I've done all I can, and you've learned all I know."
Then you bundled me up with a blanket and kiss.A
long came a new family, they even have kids!
They took me to their home, forever to stay.

At first I thought you sent me away.

Then that second lesson became perfectly clear.
No matter how far, you will always be near.
And so, Foster Mom&Dad, you know I've moved on.
I have a new home, with toys and a lawn.
But I'll never forget what I learned that first day.
You never really give your fosters away.
You gave me these thoughts to remember you by.
We may never meet again, and now I know why.
You'll remember I lived with you for a time.
I may not be yours, but you'll always be mine.

author unknown

Continuing to recover, years later

To recap briefly, Heidi came to me downed. She could take one or two steps at most, on a really good day with the wind blowing in the right direction, the planets aligned, after a warm soak in the jacuzzi tub, if the TV was on the right station ...... well you get the idea.

Fast forward 4 years, with chiropractic and accupuncture treatments, supplements, and other therapy, our little girl can stand and walk in deliberate steps. Running to keep up with the others is bunny hop. She bounces more than Tigger! Everyone is thrilled for her to have come this far and have regained some of her mobility. She uses her cart outside, but can get around in the house without it.

Last night, I came home from work to find Heidi's diaper down around her ankles (she has never regained bowel and bladder control). Valentin and Pogo have tried to steal Stanley's blanket from his expen, so Stanley (14, downed, very short sighted) is sitting in his squished expen, and the mill foster in the front hallway is in danger of finger/paw painting in her poop, so Heidi's diaper is going to have to wait for a minute. What's this I hear? A tail beating a tattoo on the floor? It must be Pogo and his smooth little tail. NO!! It is Miss Heidi!!! Free of the diaper, her little tail is just a blur as it wags!!!!!!!!! This is HUGE!! She has been able to wag her tail on her own for some time now, but never this hard and this fast. Our little girl (who is probably around 11 or 12) has come so far in her recovery, is there more to come????? Maybe control of bodily functions??? I am fine with the diapers, but wouldn't it be wonderful for her!

Again, I come back to the core reason for this blog. Do not give up on the downed ones (or other "handicaps"). They will suprise you. Heidi did not get the memo that she was paralized and had no hope of recovery - so she does not know that she is not supposed to be able to do these things. And I am certainly not going to be the one to tell her so.

Healing Hearts

Mom just heard about this place, Healing Hearts. It is a rescue/sanctuary not far from Best Friends in the US. Healing Hearts takes in the disabled ones, like us. She has dogs, cats, bunnies and others all in carts.

Mom is going to do some research and post more about their work here. We are not sure if she takes in other disabilities as well. We have heard that she does not have the financial foundation that Best Friends has. So if any of our readers know about Healing Hearts, or want to do some research about them too, please "speak" and let us know too.

Maybe we can form our own international "cart gang" :-)