Lovey

She has incredible sabling all down her back. Broad of ribcage and narrow of waist and relatively tiny of ear, Miss Lovely is a low-rider. Q towers over her by two or three inches. She seems a bit weak in the rear and has a bit of difficulty with slippery floors – but perhaps she’s not familiar with them.

Clearly someone’s pet, Lovey has been relatively well-cared for. Her teeth could use a bit of cleaning, but otherwise seem in good shape. I’ll check better tomorrow but she certainly had no problems with me probing in her mouth. And, she’s shedding profusely. Her nails need to be trimmed, but are not particularly long. A bit timid, she is nonetheless quite alert and curious and can move at a good clip. She walks well on a leash, has no fear of a crate. The x-pen scared her. She allows her mouth to be examined easily and allows her feet to be picked up and handled. She does appear to have a yeast infection on her left rear paw, though. I have not felt any lumps or bumps while doing a cursory check and haven’t yet checked her ears, but I will. She does have a slight tendency to occasionally hold her head tilted a bit to the left. I have no idea of her age, but she does seem older.

Lovey passed her temperament test with a “B” – well-adjusted and socialized possibly needing training. She seems housetrained and although a bit distressed, allowed me to scrub her butt to remove some very determined cling-ons. She throws good calming signals and loud barking and a bit of growling did not bother her. She’s met 5 dogs since I’ve picked her up and she’s been very non-plussed with all of them, including D, who has no manners. She’s very gentle, even in what must certainly be a stressful situation.

Lovey is doing well. She has claimed D’s crate as hers – except when he wants it. She gives the most exquisite kisses and is ever so gentle at asking for love. She can run and chase; she stumbles a bit on uneven ground and I trimmed the pad hair on three feet – it was about ľ” long. Oddly enough, her nails aren’t that long. She has an extraordinary amount of hair around and in her ears – perhaps because her ears are so small…and I am sure she’s not housetrained. I’ve left the patio door open, but when she’s ready to pee, she’ll walk into the family room and squat. No poops indoors, though.

She is a bit hand-shy but it is sporadic and not consistent. She’s not fearful, however, just a bit unsure about what I’m going to do next.

Lovey gives the gentlest kisses and every now and then her stubby little tail wags a mile a minute. She is adorable. And did I mention she’s shedding?! She loves being zoom groomed and even gave me a voluntary belly-up so I would zoom her belly.

Lovey and I had a conversation with Raphaela Pope, and excellent animal communicator who has helped me before. We learned that Lovey is 12, she almost died when she was a puppy, and was once kicked by a cow. She became separated from her human at a BIG place with lots of people and stores. Hearbroken, , she believes she has found a sanctuary for lost pets - and she trusts me to find her a safe, quiet retirement home. As it turned out, it was right here.

So, without further adieu, meet the girl who arrived with no name and immediately became Lovey, for all of the reasons you might think

Hour-by-hour, day-by-day this lovely little girl continues to blossom. I can't help but wish I could be there when she is in full bloom.

...and as it turned out, I was.

Today I give thanks for a life I've been blessed to share for such a short time. Amazing, isn't it, how quickly a little stranger can become so indelibly etched in your life? Two and half months ago, Lovey came into my care. Separated from her family somehow, I was lucky to bring her home to foster until I could find her the forever home I promised her.

As it turns out, my home has become her forever home. Weak in body, but so strong in spirit and character, Lovey's little corgi body has finally betrayed that strong spirit. She's had trouble with her front end from day one - her wobbly gait and occasional stumbles have just become part of our everyday life - until yesterday.

I came home and knew something was amiss. No perky little yip-yip-yip "I'm ready to get out of my crate now!" A sad little face greeted me, wondering, I'm sure why those darn rear legs wouldn't work. A visit to the vet yesterday and a conversation with him today made the decision I knew I had to make a certainty.

Today, Lovey and I have an appointment. At 3:30, with me by her side, she will take her trip across the bridge to meet "The Boss" and all those who have traveled before her.

Today, I will remember this:

When we think of those companions
who traveled by our side down life's road,

but rather say with gratitude that they once were with us.

Today I will have another set of silent paws to walk beside me.

Today I will cry.

Today I will give thanks.

Thank you, Lovey, for being part of my life. Godspeed little one. I will miss you...

Just-in-case happened and because of that wonderful angel, Lovey came to stay with me. Here is part of her story as told to the rescue folks involved with and concerned about Miss Lovey:

Hour-by-hour, day-by-day this lovely little girl continues to blossom. I can't help but wish I could be there when she is in full bloom.

...and as it turned out, I was.