This winter I lost my dogs in a span of a few weeks; Van Gogh, a black Lab mix, and Kisa a Chow mix. They were both over 12 years old. Van Gogh had arthritis so bad he could not get up or walk, he was 90 pounds and it finally got too much for me.  It is a terrible thing when you decide to kill something you love.  I miss him every day. Kisa died of a stroke just a few weeks after Gogh leaving our house strangely empty.

We started talking about getting another dog in January and were thinking of buying a puppy maybe in the summer. My friend heard I was talking about getting a puppy and invited me over to meet the dog she was fostering but who was not yet ready for adoption.  It was love at first sight on my part although Tippy was not so sure.  Tippy is a puppy mill rescue and very anxious.  My friend had already calmed her sufficiently that Tippy might take a treat if you would sit really quietly and not look at her, but she wouldn’t come in from outside and she wouldn’t tolerate a leash.  Even with all the problems I felt Tippy was the dog meant for us.

Her anxiety and her fear resonated with me. I also have trouble trusting and want friends yet am reluctant to take a risk. I understand how difficult it is to let someone get close. Trauma leaves deep wounds and Tippy’s wounds called to mine. As Tippy learns to trust so I am learning a lesson in trusting. Sometimes it is worth the risk. Sometimes we need a friend, like Tippy needed Maya.

Tippy met Maya, another puppy mill mamma, when they were paired at the shelter so Maya could help Tippy with her anxiety. Finally, I was able to foster Tippy and Maya together.  They became a bonded pair and so I adopted them both!

It’s been almost 2 months since Tippy and Maya joined our family and we still have some rough spots to work out.  Tippy is 5 years and Maya is 4 years and they have never been potty trained.  We’re making progress but we have to watch them closely and take them outside frequently. They can be overwhelmed with too much stimulation and don’t have many life experiences having spent their lives in a cage but they are getting better every day.  Maya is not as skittish as Tippy and will come when called (mostly) and loves to be petted.  This helps Tippy accept touching, which she loves but is afraid. 

 The situation they came out of was terrible. Over 500 dogs were rescued at the same time as Tippy and Maya.  Wayside Waifs took over 100 of the dogs.  I have added the people who work at Wayside Waifs to my regular prayer list, whether staff or volunteers, because they do a hard thing.

http://www.waysidewaifs.org