A special little girl

Her name is Ladybug. If you know her, you know that this dog is an 'old soul' because of the tough life she has lead. You wouldn't know it now but her first 3 years were pretty tragic.

She started off life with a nice, upstanding family. As she grew, they all but discarded her. Typical, "oh look at the cute little puppy, let's get it!' then the puppy grows up and you have to work with it. This gorgeous cocker spaniel was sent out in the elements to spend her days and nights in a fenced in yard with no dog house and no food bowl, only a tarp where they would toss her food, which was laden with insects. When the children would go play outdoors they thought it would be fun to spray her with windex. Because of this, she has had permant eye damage that would not have been so permant if the family had not neglected getting her the help she needed.

The man of this family was the leader of the pack in the abuse department, evidently. We don't know for sure what was done to her, but can tell you that she was very wary of ALL men until recently.

Four years ago this week my Mom, Cary and I discovered that our beloved Shelby Sue had developed lymphoma, typical in cocker spaniels. She had to leave us on December 23, 2003. Our hearts were broken.

My Mom mentioned the loss to someone who knew of a cocker spaniel in desperate need of a new, loving home. None of us were sure about a new dog, no one could replace Shelby, but something told my Mom to check it out. Ends up, this dog really needed my Mom and me and Cary and everyone of our extended family and friends.

We took her home that day to my Mom's house. It was January 1, 2004. Good time for a new start. Mom and I went to the pet store to wash her as best we could, because you see, the 'family' had never brushed her or bathed her. She was left outside, she was so dirty and her beautiful red hair was tangled all over her body. It was a total fiasco trying to bathe her. I'll NEVER forget it! I laugh out loud still thinking about how SOAKED Mom and I were by the time we finished. She kept hopping out of the HUGE bathtub and slipped and slid all over the room. I'll bet the employees of that place were peeing their pants laughing at us!

The following Monday the dog was taken for her very first hair appointment. She had to be shaved practically, but her beautiful cocker skirt would soon grow back better than ever.

That New Year's Day Ladybug Zellers was officially born! She was no longer just 'Lady', her given name.

For a very long time we had to let her come to us to be loved. I think it must have been that summer before she would sit on my lap. I know it was at least 1 year before Cary could wear his baseball hats around her. It is such a shame that such a kind animal would be treated that way.

As time has gone by, Ladybug has become a woman all her own. She sleeps in bed with my Mom, she sneaks kisses on my lips when I'm not suspecting...oh, how she LOVES my array of lip glosses and lip stick. And she even adores Cary, a man! Most recently she became a big sister to Luther, who is a black cocker spaniel. They run and play and fight a little, like brother and sister should. Those two truly love eachother though and WILLINGLY share custody of my Mom and her bed.

Many of the people in our lives have worked right beside us in the reconditioning of Ladybug, but none have been more forthcoming with love and care than my Mom. It is because of Mom that Ladybug is who she is today and has enjoyed the last 4 years like she should have from birth. She has committed herself to the term 'rescue' and has been diligent in reforming Ladybug. Without my Mom's soft heart for this dog and her original situation, I shudder to think where 'Bugs' would be now.

Tragedy once again struck Ladybug's life on Saturday. She must have teased Luther and challenged him to a race to the park because when she saw that Mom's gate had not fully latched, she took off down the drive taking Luther with her. For some reason Luther stopped to 'lift his leg' but Ladybug plugged away. Mom screamed for both of them, which usually stops them in their tracks but such was not the case today. Ladybug ran across the street and was struck by a car.

The woman in the car was so upset, obviously. She got out and asked to help my Mom. Mom asked her to go get Luther, who was just wandering at this point. The woman obliged and got him back behind the gate. Ladybug was conscious and as a matter of fact, once she heard and saw my Mom she began to crawl toward her.

Mom immediately got her into the car and headed off to the vet. Cary, McKinley and I met her there, we'd been out running errands and were close, thankfully. I think Bugs was in pain, but numb. Some how she had no broken bones, but had suffered a spinal cord injury. They immediately began mega doses of steroids via IV. The vet explained that now it was just a waiting game to see if the steroids could take affect and reverse the damage and swelling in Ladybug's spinal cord.

As of last night, there was no change. Ladybug had no reaction in her back legs to the doctor's 'poking'.

We all await news from the vet. We hope and pray for a miracle but know we must face something less than miraculous.

Once again, my Mom is faced with making an awful, painful decision. If you have ever had to decide on someone's fate you know it is a miserable feeling. A decision that I do not wish upon anyone.

Some people love animals, some just don't. If you have ever felt the unconditional love, respect and warmth from a special pet in your life, you are blessed. If you have not, well...I hope someday you will accept that unconditional love. It is so rewarding, yet so painful at the end of the pet's life.

You see, us animal lovers know that you can fight like crazy with loved ones, they can make you completely nuts and drive you to never speak again. But an animal...that animal may drive you crazy too, you may even make up your mind to 'get rid of it', but the animal will never give up on you and will always, always love you-NO MATTER WHAT. Love is what they know.
As I sit here, very sad over Ladybug, I think of all of the rescues in our lives...Valentine, the original rescue straight from the ghetto gas station, Gunther Goo, who spent many nights on our back porch hoping for a home and now happily pees in our toilet, Ladybug & Luther, a drop off at the Humane Shelter. Everyone says, 'Oh! What lucky animals to be where they are today!' No...lucky, lucky humans for having had the opportunity to bring such special 'family members' into our lives!

Briefly, McKinley turned 4 months old this past week, he is growing so quickly. It was an eventful week that I will post about later. We have his 3 month pics to post and a doctor's appointment to share, but for now...

Your thoughts and prayers are much appreciated.

Ladybug needs a miracle.

Lynn

Bugs' 'Sissy'