Monday, March 23, 2009

What Puppy Love Can Teach us

We are smitten.  There is no going back from here.  This little guy entered our hearts and we are now in very, very deep.  So deep, in fact, that this little bundle who will probably someday reach a potential weight of one hundred to one hundred and forty pounds now sleeps on our bed in between us.  Sometimes burying his soft puppy neck into mine, draping his body over my heart.  Sometimes curling up on Mark's pillow, right up against his head.  Sometimes waking up from a bad dream only to look around to make sure that we are still next to him and then going securely back to sleep.  And sometimes getting the hiccups which makes me giggle in my sleep.  Micah entered our lives less than two weeks ago, but we already know that he will be a part of our hearts forever.
We were not looking for a puppy.  We were looking for a companion dog for our older pup, Becca, and also for me but somehow, after a long search through many of the animal rescue organizations we found our way to Micah, a nine week old puppy.  Micah and his four other siblings were found locked in a shed with their poor, emaciated, starving to death, mother.  I guess that the family who owned Pantera, the mother dog, moved from California to Hawaii and decided to abandon their three dogs.  They left two chained up in the backyard, and Pantera was locked up inside of a shed without any food or water.  About a week after these sick individuals moved, they finally contacted an animal rescue organization to say that they had left their dogs behind.  As far as I am concerned, there is a special place in hell for anyone who neglects or abuses animals.  When the rescuers got to the property, they only found two dogs which they took.  A day or two later, they decided to go back to see if the third dog could be located.  As they were getting ready to leave, they heard some whimpering coming from a locked shed in the backyard.  Inside, they found Pantera, a full-blooded Rottweiler nursing five puppies.  Nobody had even bothered to mention to the rescue organization that one of the dogs on the property was pregnant, nor had they said that she was locked up inside of a shed.  Obviously, she had given birth after their departure.  The litter contained two females and three males, one of which was Micah.  The rescuers decided to separate the females and the males, placing them in different foster homes.  The puppies were weaned and luckily, Pantera, was adopted immediately.  I am sure that she was placed in a very loving home with wonderful people, as the rescue organization is extremely diligent about where they will place their animals.  

Micah and his much larger brothers were placed temporarily with a very loving couple who lived in a small apartment.  They already had one dog, so they could not keep any of the puppies, but they fell in love with Micah.  He was the smallest of the litter and was considered the runt but he was active and loving and cuddly.  His foster mom cried when Mark and Angel Daughter Number Four went to pick him up.  Thank God for big-hearted people.
Becca, our ten year old dog, has not yet adjusted to the idea that Micah is staying.  Truth be told, he drives her crazy.  It has always taken Becca a while to warm up to new situations, but hopefully, as Micah grows and matures, Becca will accept him as she reluctantly did our kittens.  Disliking them intently, at first, but allowing them into her pack after a while.
This is a difficult concept for little Micah to grasp because he has never met another dog, cat, or human that he does not love.  Angel Daughter Number Four takes him on walks and then carries him when his wobbly puppy legs get too tired.  To Micah, it's all about love.  It's all about who to cuddle up with next.  It's all about pure joy.
And at the end of the day, shouldn't that be what it is all about.  Making it through the rough times, by hanging on and believing in love?  Knowing that no matter what adversities we might face, trust is what will eventually get us through.  Trust and faith and belief in kindness.  Believing that we can survive and eventually, thrive.  Believing that love is always stronger than hate.  Believing that if we continue to demonstrate love, even when others are not being as generous, that we will ultimately find a way to better days.
Micah's story reminds me that even with rough beginnings, we can still find happy endings.  He teaches me that sometimes, by rescuing someone else, we can end up rescuing a part of ourselves.  A part which still believes in the power of love and goodness and of a big hug.  A part which understands that, in the end, kindness matters.

So, at the end of the day, what is that you still believe in?


13 comments:

Jenn-n-n said...

Debra,

Another timely blog entry. Thank you!!!! I needed those words today. That gentle reminder will go a long way.

I adore Micah, he is a lucky puppy to have a family like yours.

Jenn

Karen Deborah said...

I love love love puppies, dogs, and this is a great post. I'm glad those people decided to send someone after the animals. Just crazy. No water? How can anyone leave an animal without water.

Blue said...

even though i've never been what you could call an animal lover, (just never been around them much in my life) im'm astonished at the callous way some people live. michah has quite a story. he's lucky that love intervened in his life so young...hopefully the scars of his first weeks won't impact him for the long haul.

i hope the same thing for people people with hard starts.

i still believe in the indomitability of the human spirit. ♥

Anonymous said...

Micah, hugs and kisses from WV to you!!!!!!! From all that I've read through the years, Micah, you are in the best home you could wish for and will be given much love and care! I will be watching you from afar and will be enjoying your stories as posted...Be thankful!

Maureen Hayes said...

Debra,

Your writing really touched my heart today, not just the lovely story about saving Micah, but what life is really about. . .LOVE! Thanks for speaking words I needed to hear today of all days. I know God put you here for me today and I thank you both.

Please keep us updated on Micah. I agree with you about there being a special place in hell for people who mistreat animals. I can't imagine what type of person would hurt something so loving and innocent. Thank God there are good people like you and your family to balance the equation and provide love and security to Micah.

Gentle hugs to you my friend!

Jennifer Chronicles (jenx67.com) said...

That first picture of him is just heart-grabbing, Debra. I just love it. I wnat him all for myself. I've sent the link to this post to someone who really needs to read this. You are so special...to me!

Bogart said...

I miss my puppy...thanks.

No really, thanks. It is good when I get to think of her.

Indigo said...

Indigo Incarnates

Hello! Thanks for visiting my blog :)

rivergardenstudio said...

What a sad and beautiful story. And such a beautiful ending! I have an award for you at my blog for your wonderful words of light... Roxanne

Wonderful World of Weiners said...

I believe in people...people like you who will take in the Micah's of the world and let them know what love truly is.

We did it for Chauncey and I still get alll warm inside when I think how we rescued him from an abusive family.

Hallie

Sabi Sunshine said...

Hello Deb

very cute picture and photography done. Thanks for your comment on my blog.. I do write lot of stuff. I am planning to write some more.


Take Care

Joan said...

How horrible of those people to just leave their dogs like that! How about taking them to a shelter? How hard could that be?
Micah is lucky to have all of you. Lovely thoughts; your writing and photos are wonderful.
Joan

Peggy Payne said...

Your Micah and our new puppy Aura need to meet, Debbie. They're both cute and charming and are going to grow up to be 140 pounds. http://peggypayne.blogspot.com/2009/03/bringing-home-mastiff-puppy.html

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