My Fire Hydrant

Today’s story comes from Regina. Her email signature tells you where her dogs sit on her list of life’s priorities. Seriously, all Small Paws volunteers feel this way:

Owned by Kiefer and Sydney (and Kymba at the bridge and forever in our hearts)
Alabama volunteer/senior adoption application processor
Small Paws® Rescue, Inc.
www.smallpawsrescue.org
“Saving One Life at a Time” … “… Hang on, we’re coming!”

Touch a Bichon and you have touched a bit of heaven …
Hold a Bichon and you have held the world …
Love a Bichon and you will love life forever

As I read and publish these stories, some of them resonate with me, and touch me deeply. Kymba’s is one of those stories. I’m crying as I type this. So grab a tissue–this is what happens when you’re a pet parent, and it’s worth a read.

Kymba Small Paws

My sweet Kymba lost his brave fight against lung cancer on Leap Day 2012. He was 13-1/2 years old and had been with us exactly eight years (since February 29, 2004) when we adopted him from Small Paws Rescue.

When he was five, his owners surrendered him to Small Paws because they couldn’t provide the time he needed because of their work schedules. He stayed in Small Paws foster care with his wonderful foster parents, L. and A. Foster (isn’t their name appropriate?), for a month, and then was adopted. That family kept him for four months, and then surrendered him to Small Paws again (and again, it was because they didn’t have time for him). So back to the Fosters he went.

He was back in foster care for a day when I was looking on Petfinders.com for a Bichon to be a buddy to our first Bichon, Kiefer. Kiefer is also a rescued Bichon, although not from Small Paws. I fell in love with Kymba’s photo (and why shouldn’t I? Wasn’t he handsome?) and promptly applied to adopt him. Thankfully we were chosen to be Kymba’s new family.

Sydney and Kiefer

Kymba loved to blitz with Kiefer until they got older and their ACL-damaged legs wouldn’t allow as much of it. We failed Fostering 101 and adopted Sydney several years ago; she adored her brother Kymba and would kiss on him every morning. He also loved car rides, going for walks, swimming at the beach, and watching the world go by from his perch on the back of the loveseat in front of the living room window (or the back of the couch in the RV).He was the best snuggler in the world and loved giving kisses.

Unfortunately, on May 3, 2011, he was diagnosed with primary lung cancer. He had surgery and chemo and if you didn’t know better, you’d never know what he’d been through. He was a fighter and loved life with gusto, especially when it was time for belly rubs and treats.

Sydney, Kiefer, and Kymba

He did great until the end of February. Not only was he fighting a kidney stone, but the cancer was back and the diagnosis wasn’t good. With heavy hearts, we decided to help Kymba cross the bridge on Leap Day. He will be missed, and there’s a large hole in our hearts.

Thank you, Regina, for sharing this beautiful story.

 
Are you looking for a Fluffy new family member?

Small Paws saves dogs! You can help–donate some bucks, save some Fluffs!

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I shared Rusty’s story last year. Since that time, Rusty has gained two siblings.  Here’s the update:

Sunshine, Rusty, and Lucky

Here is an update on Rusty from Small Paws Rescue. Last year, Rusty lost his grandmother to cancer and gained a new brother and sister.

Grandma watched him every day while mom was at work since his anxiety keeps him from being left at home alone for too long. He has now adjusted to being home alone with his brother, Lucky and sister, Sunshine. This is due in part that he is still living in Grandma’s house with a doggy door and big backyard instead of mom’s little condo. Mom moved in and he never noticed a change. He has adjusted much better in the last year with his anxiety. I think having new siblings to learn from and follow their daily routine was a big improvement.

Rusty and his Grandma

Rusty would lay on the hospice bed with his grandma–he would climb up on the bed whenever the nurse wasn’t looking. He was a big protector of his grandma. He learned that she didn’t like her face washed even though he is a big kisser and he adapted to giving her arm one fast lick which pleased her to no end.

 
Are you looking for a Fluffy new family member?

Small Paws saves dogs! You can help–donate some bucks, save some Fluffs!

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Boris Berger is a former puppy mill dog–he told us his story last year–who lives with his mom, Deborah in New York City. Boris often represents Small Paws Rescue at media events. A very talented Fluff, Boris also writes a column for his apartment building’s newsletter on important canine topics. Here’s a sample:

THE INSIDE PAW TRACK

I just figured out why I can’t recognize some of my pals anymore…..They’ve been surgically assisted.  Some for medical issues such as Skin Fold problems around the eyes, lips and tail.

Boris Berger, Your Small Paws Reporter

Pugs, Bulldogs and Boston Terriers are frequently candidates for nose jobs to alleviate breathing problems, unlike our humans who use that as
an excuse to have a better profile.  Eyelifts are very popular.  This is a reconstructive procedure in breeds like the Sharpei and Chow to correct congenital defects.  I guess they look well rested now.  Chin lifts are performed to curb excessive drooling in breeds like the Mastiff, Bloodhound and Newfies.  While droopy lips are normal in these breeds, excessive drooling can cause chronic mouth infections, which brings us to dental work due to injuries from chewing tennis balls or even ice. Fractures of the teeth lead to root canal and crown work.  It’s time to sign up for pet dental insurance.

The following surgery is for the insecure owner.  It’s called Neuticals, they are testicular implants designed to give neutered pets a more “masculine” un neutered look.  This procedure is catching on to date more than 148,000 have been performed worldwide. Us canines are the usual recipients but there are 3 implants available that range in softness and size to fit cats as well as horses and bulls.  That’s what I call a lot of BS.  Pricing ranges from $79 to $400.00 a pair.  I think it takes someone with a big pair to encourage this surgery. The rationalization is that the animal doesn’t know anything is missing and the owner has a pet that retains his–oops–their identity and  self esteem in the dog park.

On a serious note if you are planning to add a new furball to the family -  remember to always “Adopt Don’t Shop.”  Any questions, leave for me, Boris Berger, 4D. Have a great summer!

 
Are you looking for a Fluffy new family member?

Small Paws saves dogs! You can help–donate some bucks, save some Fluffs!

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This story, from Tammy, made me smile.

Morgan, who believes there's safety in numbers

My Morgan , now 10 ½ years old has always been skittish around new people. She hides behind me or under furniture when someone new comes to visit.

When Morgan was about 2 years old, a neighbor stopped by to visit. Morgan was nowhere to be found. We searched all over for her but she was missing. All of a sudden out of the corner of my eye, I saw something move. Morgan was sitting in the box of her stuffed toys. She was there all along and blended in as if she was one of them. I guess she thought there was safety in numbers!

Piper, who offers comfort with her kisses

 

My Piper definitely has personality! She will be 4 years old in May and still acts like a puppy. Piper was never a real “kissy “ type of dog. She’d only lick me to wake me up in the morning.

Last year, I lost my Zoe (she was 15yrs and 9mos) which effected all of us.

A week after Zoe’s passing, I received her ashes in the bichon urn I ordered. I placed the urn on the fireplace hearth. Piper would go lay next to it, then climb up on me and lick me. It was almost as if she was trying to comfort me.

Ever since then, Piper licks me all the time. It’s like she is trying to take Zoe’s place because Zoe was the “kissy” one of the group. No one can ever tell me that dogs don’t understand.

 
Are you looking for a Fluffy new family member?

Small Paws saves dogs! You can help–donate some bucks, save some Fluffs!

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Little Zoe learned that issues with her back legs would not be an issue to her ability to get around. Bless her mama, Tammy, for helping her!

Small Paws saves dogs! You can help–donate some bucks, save some Fluffs!

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This little girl was rescued from a commercial puppy mill so she needs help learning how to be a pet–she can only go to a home with a socialized dog already living there. The children in the home must be over the age of 10.

Prissy has spent her whole life in a small cage in a commercial kennel. Prissy was born 03/17/02 and weighs 14 pounds. Prissy is learning to run (she can now beat me in a race back to the house), play, go up and down steps and be part of a family. She does fine with cats and other dogs. She LOVES breakfast and loves to get up early to eat. She’s learning that dirty socks and toys are good things to play with. She’s learned how to jump onto, and off of, the couch, and has the leg strength to do it now!!

Prissy Small Paws

She’s a very gentle poochie. Even the girls at the groomer’s said so. Humans still make her a tad nervous, but she WILL seek out human contact. She’s still working on the concept of “house training”, she’s no longer afraid of the outdoors, but doesn’t quite get the concept that she should ask to go out to go potty.

Sweet Fluffs are available from Small Paws Rescue!

Small Paws saves dogs! You can help–donate some bucks, save some Fluffs!

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Hansel and Gretel live with Anne Marie and her other Fluff, Cottonball.

I adopted Hansel and Gretel from Small Paws Rescue in November and they came by plane from Texas to New York.

You can save on a home security system when you have guard fluffs!

They are the sweetest dogs you could possibly imagine.

Fluffs are loved by people of all ages!

They joined my other fluff Cottonball who I adopted two years ago this summer. He also came from SPR and was from Texas.

Two's Company. Three's a party! (Hansel, Gretal, and Cottonball)

My first ‘fluff connection” goes back to my adoption of a bonded pair Missy and Roxy who were nine years old when I adopted them from Small Paws Rescue. They were beautiful gentle spirits who showed me how wonderful these dogs could truly be. Roxy died just before her 15th birthday and Missy made it to 16.

I missed them terribly but have always felt that the best way to honor a pet is to open your door to someone new who needs you.

We are ready for our closeup!

So far, Hansel, Gretel and Cottonball are getting along well. At least once a day they do the Bichon blitz and race around. My neighbors love to watch the wave when I take the garbage out.

Snow is no problem for Bichons from Texas!

They are great travelers in the car and when they get messy I just put them in the kitchen sink.

Another day in paradise!

Small Paws Rescue does a wonderful job of placing these dogs and caring for them.

Small Paws saves dogs! You can help–donate some bucks, save some Fluffs!

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Because this is a bonded pair, Sparkles and Cuddles must be adopted together.

Cuddles and Sparkles Small Paws

Sparkles and Cuddles are a bonded pair of bichons who must be adopted together for one Senior Dog Adoption Fee of $75.00 Sparkles was born in 2000 and weighs 18 pounds. She is a female bichon. Cuddles, a male bichon/poodle mix, was born in 2003 and weighs 10 pounds This pair of bichons love to run and blitz together. They enjoy sleeping on the big bed with the family cats. Sparkles and Cuddles are house trained, however, Sparkles needs to be take outside more frequently to do her business. They will need a home with a fenced yard. Sparkles has cataracts due to her age but does well with her limited vision. Children in your home should be aged 10 and over as we have not observed them with children.

Sweet Fluffs are available from Small Paws Rescue!

Small Paws saves dogs! You can help–donate some bucks, save some Fluffs!

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I featured Baby last year during the Online Bichon Bash. Here’s an update from her mom, Barbara, on a little Fluff who started her life in the cage of a backyard breeder.

Baby is doing great. In this photo, she is sitting in her favorite chair in her favorite position–next to Mommy watching TV. She loves to play with her two brothers.

Baby

She also really enjoys going for rides in our motorhome–if I’m cleaning it or loading it she will jump on board and I can’t get her out! She has very few residual effects from her puppy mill life. She no longer hoards food and she has actually allowed the man next door to pet her. Every day she becomes more confident and more playful. She is an angel and it gives me great joy every day to know that I have made her life better. She has certainly made my life better!

Small Paws saves dogs! You can help–donate some bucks, save some Fluffs!

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This short message from Barbara arrived too late for me to post on March 13, but the message is so precious and the photo so sweet I decided to share it anyway.

Just wanted to let you know that Sammy is 5 years old on March 13 and his brother Biggs will be 6 years old on March 14. Mike and I love them so very much and can never thank Small Paws enough for allowing Sammy to join our family.

Sammy and Biggs

Small Paws saves dogs! You can help–donate some bucks, save some Fluffs!

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