She Knows What Being a Mother is All About

The dog in the photo is Maggie. She belongs to Jeff and Rae. Remember? I told you all about her when I shared our rescue puppy story. Maggie is the mother dog who so bravely took care of her litter of puppies under the deck of the abandoned house. She's the mother who will be in all the photos at our puppy reunion!

The kittens in the photo are from a litter that I rescued last summer.

Rae knows how time consuming and difficult having a litter of newborn kittens can be. Every weekend last summer, Rae took the kittens to her house to give me a break. Guess who helped Rae? You've got it, Mother Maggie.

No, Maggie didn't have any milk. What she did have was a huge heart and the natural instinct to be a mother. We named the kittens Luke and Ruth. They suckled and nuzzled and cuddled with Maggie every weekend.

All the rescue stories I share with you involve so many people. My childhood friend, Joan came over every morning at 6:00 AM to help me feed and potty our little babies. These kittens were the only kittens I have ever had that were constipated...yes constipated. We tried everything and eventually had to take them to the vet where they received FREE vet enemas. I know that sounds horrible, but it was necessary.

My son, daughter-in-law, and grandchildren took the babies when we left for a week's vacation.

Yes, rescuing is challenging but it is also rewarding. The two babies in the photo above went to a good home...together. It was hard (as usual) to give them up. It was glorious that they have known (and will continue to know) so much love.

I'm just waiting for another litter this summer. This year, I know where the babies will go. Can you guess?

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The Girls Got Some TLC and a Trip to the Spa

This is Maddie with my brother-in-law. She had a rough week and needed the TLC that everyone gave her.

Annabelle's trying to decide if she should take her rightful position as alpha dog. Sorry Annabelle, that's just not going to happen...yet.


The spa trip left Annabelle feeling confident and ready to pose. I usually groom the dogs myself, but this week we all needed a little pampering--so traveling to the spa was just the ticket. She's a peppy pup!


Annabelle is sitting beside a rock planter that surrounds one of my big trees. A chipmunk lives in the rocks. You guessed it...there's a story coming soon!


Maddie seems a little happier every day. I think I might even see the hint of sparkle coming back to her eyes. What a good girl.

Thank you so much for all your kind words about Kelly. His legacy of love will live on in my girls and Tango. You know how wonderful that legacy is...that's why your notes were so special to me.

***A guest blogger will post on this site on Saturday, June 13th. Please make sure to drop by to read her fun post!

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My Heart Hurts - Kelly Is Gone

Frankly, I thought I was ready. I thought I'd be prepared for the day Kelly died. I was wrong...totally and completely. Nothing could have made me ready for the day my scrappy boy stopped bouncing forever.

I woke up on Sunday morning at 7:00. Kelly was thrashing about on top of my legs. It didn't take long before I realized he was having a seizure. I'm not sure how, but somehow, Kelly ended up on the floor with me beside him.

He was breathing heavily, but not uncomfortably or out of control. "I can do this," I told my husband. "If this is all it is and Kelly is going to die, then I can let him die here."

I began to pet Kelly. I put my face tear-stained face beside his and kissed the top of his scruffy little head. "I'm here Kelly," I said. I knew Kelly couldn't hear me because he was totally deaf, but I needed to say the words. I needed to comfort myself as much as him.

My husband stayed with me and my lifelong friend, Joani came over. We all kept vigil by Kelly's side. At one point I stood up to get dressed. The minute I moved, Kelly tried to stand. He couldn't. His back legs were no longer working but he didn't want me out of his sight.

"Just pet him like I do, " I told my husband. At that moment, I was in control. I wanted to get back beside Kelly as quickly as I could. Chuck kneaded Kelly's shoulder while I threw on my clothes.

That was when Kelly began to throw up bile. I propped him up against me so that he wouldn't choke. And I cried. Kelly got worse and worse.

At 10:00 A. M. it was clear Kelly was suffering. I had made a promise to myself and to Kelly that I would be brave enough to let him go. I loved him that much.

Joani called the emergency vet's office and made sure I could stay with Kelly while he was euthanized. Then I swaddled my boy in a blanket and we left.

When we got to the vet's office, they took Kelly long enough to put a catheter in his leg. I suppose that's so there are not mistakes once the drug begins to be administered. The vet tech carried Kelly back to me. I held him in my arms and pressed his little body next to mine.

Chuck, Kelly, and I were on a couch. Joani was on a chair just across from us. She had a clear view of Kelly's face. "I think he's asleep," she said.

Kelly was indeed asleep. The comfort of being with me had calmed him again. "When the vet comes in," I told Joan, "Tell her to do what she needs to do and not say a word. I don't want Kelly upset again."

The vet came in. Joan gave her my instructions. Even though I was sobbing, I felt joy. Kelly died peacefully and calmly. I kissed his still warm head one more time. So did Joani. His death was as beautiful as his life. I am writing through my tears, but writing is therapeutic to me.

Kelly is gone. My heart hurts but Kelly's legacy will live on through all the other animals I love.

Just so I don't end on such a sad note, I want you to read an email I got from another dear friend today. The memory she shared made me laugh because it was so Kelly.

This is from Cheryl:

Hi Jan,
I was so very sorry to hear about Kelly. Hope you got the voice mail I left yesterday--I know Joan says you don't always get your messages. He was a great dog--your little bouncing Kelly. I will smile every time I think of him and the time we got kicked out of the vet's office! Take care and call me if there is anything I can do.

Love you--Cheryl


Yes, Kelly got us banned from my old vet's office one day. He just wouldn't quit bouncing or barking. That was my Kelly.

Annabelle is fine. Maddie is still looking for Kelly. I know we'll all be better soon. Kelly's memories will live on in our hearts and minds. Thank you for letting me share.



Jan

*picture taken Christmas of 2004

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