I am Elphaba...Part 2

One day in high school, I was running to my friend's car in the rain. He apologized for being late and I shrugged it off saying "I won't melt." He laughed, and said "you're not a witch." HMMMM . . .I was implying that I wasn't sweet as sugar, but . . . . But, even then, he could see that I was a little like Elphaba, the Wicked Witch of the West. I did always want a pet monkey when I was a child. I think she was misunderstood and wasn't really wicked. She was passionate about animals and could understand that they could speak and we have lots to learn from them. I've learned a lot from what the animals in my adult life have shared with me. I continue to learn from them every day.

Today is Part 2--the animals of my adulthood

Wolfgang

Wolfgang

 Wolfie was my first dog as an adult. He was the last of his litter. No one wanted him because he was "flawed" with a floppy ear. His ear eventually picked up, I think he was waiting for "his" person, and he was a perfect specimen. He was with me during some of the hardest times of my life. He was with me through medical school and residency. He was with me during my divorce. I would have given The Student (my ex-husband) everything we had (and I did) just to keep Wolfie. He picked my new husband, The Musician, and he was a tough critic.  Except for The Musician, Wolfie took a long time to warm up to people. If he didn't warm up to you, you were probably not worth keeping in my life. He was a great judge of character. He taught me that animals do talk to us. He had different vocalizations for different wants, needs, desires, and emotions. And, he understood when I needed something to heal a hurt, and he knew how to heal. He was my second heart dog and the second reason I love his breed. I held on to him for too long because I couldn't bear losing him. But, his mind was already gone and his dignity was going fast. I was afraid every day I went to work that he would be gone when I came home. Finally, I made the most painful, and most loving, decision I could for him. He wasn't alone when he crossed, he was in my arms knowing he was loved. He also taught me to let go when it's time. When we lost him, I didn't know if I could move, or breathe again.

Trixie Belle LuLu

But, Trixie healed me. I loved her, but she was really The Musician's Diva Dog, and that's a different story.

Taz

Taz

Taz was my pet store "rescue." At 9 months, he was still living in a cage waiting to be purchased. He had never seen grass. He was "discounted." He LOVED me and would spin in circles for attention. When I would come home, he would leap into my arms. If I didn't catch him, he didn't care, he would keep jumping. He jumped on the couch and threw himself at me. He was so starved for attention that he would sometimes demand attention in not so pleasant ways, usually with bodily functions. That was his undoing. I loved him. The Student did not. I had to make a choice. I made the wrong one. I learned a lot from Taz. Puppy mills are horrible. Pet stores that sell puppy mill dogs are horrible. And there are no circumstances I can imagine that would ever make me part with my pet.

Not my actual cat, but this is what "she" looked like

Pregnant Orange Tabby: One night in medical school, I pulled into my parking lot and there was this raggedy pregnant tabby huddled under a car to get shelter from the rain. She looked like she was ready to deliver any day. I brought her in and made her a box full of soft socks and rags to sleep in. I fed her warm milk and kitten food. She was soooo content and seemed so comfortable and secure. Then we took her to the vet who was surprised to see a pregnant orange tabby, because she had never seen a female orange tabby. Turns out, HE WASN'T PREGNANT!!!! He was just incredibly fat. So, no more milk and kitten food, it was diet cat food for him. Two days later he was caterwauling at the front door so I let him out and followed him. He looked back a few times, but kept on going. I chased him, but he stayed just out of reach. I guess he figured if he wasn't living the good life, he may as well go back to where he came from. Maybe a diet was why he ran away in the first place. I sighed and waved good-bye and wished him luck.  He taught me to take advantage of the good times because you don't know how long they will last. And he started the lesson that you can't hold on to someone if they don't want to stay, no matter how much you love them. Sometimes, I wish I had learned that one sooner.

Alley loves her leash

Alley is always happy

 After Hurricane Katrina, I volunteered at a church handing out food and supplies to people who lost more than I did . . .(and a few selfish people who took advantage of the charity). Because of those few, I moved on to the animal shelter and spent sweaty, dirty, grimy, heart-breaking days cleaning cages, petting cats, walking dogs, and even feeding a turtle. I read notes that some owners left with the dogs they had to leave behind because they had no way to care for them. I listened to stories of people looking for lost pets. It was a celebration when vanloads went north for homes, but it didn't ease the volume of work. After Wolfie was gone, and Trixie was sick, I didn't want another empty house. The silence of a house without pets is deafening. AlleyKat showed up on Eskie Rescuers United Website..www.eskierescuers.org. It was after we had moved north, but she was found in an Alley after Katrina and was processed through the same shelter I volunteered at.  Another adopter was in line ahead of me, but it fell through. She is the sweetest dog in the universe (if I do say so myself) and knows that everyone loves her. She has no fear of people or dogs.  She loves sitting in the window and watching the world. She is so happy, but also sweet and sensitive. She continues to teach me about enjoying every second of life. 

Alley loves her toys

Because of Alley, we entered the world of fostering. We have been a temporary home for some dogs that came in dirty, stinky, and wormy. And we have been a temporary home for some really amazing dogs. People ask how I can give them up. I can do it because they were never mine, they were always someone else's. I'm just a step in the journey to their furever home. Each dog that goes to a permanent home, means there is more room to rescue the next one who needs me. Yes, I cried when Salty Dog (our first foster) left. And, I have cried for each subsequent foster who has left me. The tears are a mix of sadness because I will miss them, gratitude for the time I had with them, and joy for what is in store for them.

Wall of Fosters

Little old lady KooKoo

KooKoo was a tiny, terrified, brain-damaged, gal.  I suppose if I were 15 pounds and had been thrown from a third story window, I might have issues, too. After 2 weeks, we didn't have any breakthroughs, she was despondent and so fearful. She was elderly and just didn't seem well or happy. She bit us every time we came near. She had an appointment for humane euthanasia with our vet. That morning, she ran around the yard (crooked and falling down) and barked and played. That was not the day. We adopted her because we thought she had only weeks to live and we wanted her to have her own home. She stayed with us for 15 months and when it was time, she told me. She taught me that love can heal all wounds. And she taught me that even if it's for only a short time, love is totally worth it.

Alley and Bunny love each other

Together, we can fly . . .

Goofy Bunny

BunnyNutMuffin was Alley's pick from the foster dogs for her very own companion. Bunny is sensitive and anxious. But, she is loyal and protective. She is the companion you want when you just need someone to just "be there." And, she will not let anyone mess with anyone she loves. She's a total love-bug, unless she perceives a threat and then her bark is big. If she were a human, she would be a fearsome lawyer. Bunny teaches me about true, unconditional, trusting, faithful love...and how to just be "chill." 

BunnyNutMuffin

Relaxin' Bunny