Meet Joy. We're working on it...together.

My application: accepted. Credit check: cleared. The lease: signed. The deposit: paid.

I officially left my suburban dwellings for a new independent one.

And then I went to help a friend with a few dogs. I wasn't exactly sure what we were walking into (we never really know) You hear that a dog needs help and you help them. For me, that really is the only option.

An entire day later and many miles driven we somehow left with Joy. There was no turning back for this girl. There was no way we were leaving without her. We didn't have a plan. But we knew she was sick and we knew we were the only ones that would be able to help her. We knew we were the only ones willing to help her.




We put Joy, who at the time was nameless, into my car and we left her terrible life behind her. Joy has something called Demodex Mange. It's common for young dogs that find themselves in shelters. It's caused by numerous factors like malnutrition or stress.

It's ugly. It smells terrible. It's very gross. And for the dog, it's painful. Imagine being sun burnt from head to toe. Imagine being itchy and irritable on every part of your body; in between your toes and on the very top of your head... this is mange. But more importantly it's extremely treatable and easy to cure. All it takes is a few rounds of meds and some medicated baths. Almost overnight the skin heals and fur begins to grow. 



I knew I was moving into a perfect place. It is dog-friendly (A fellow rescuer for a landlord.) Whom, not only welcomes my large dogs and choice of fosters but encourages it. I couldn't pass it up. So in order to save Joy, I agreed to foster before moving in.

It seemed like the best option. I'm sure it wasn't the only one but at the time it was the best. I don't mind caring for a sick dog. I don't mind cleaning up after or training a dog. So, I agreed to foster. We sent her to the vet for a week to get treatment and recover. I moved in. I brought Joy home.


Here's the thing about rescue dogs like Joy. We don't always know too much about their past. We can speculate what they've gone through. We can always make up stories about the neglect or the abuse. I don't see what the point in all that is. It just  makes me sad. The important thing for me when I meet a dog is that they no longer have to see those things. When I meet a dog they no longer have to worry where their next meal is coming from. All I know when I meet a dog is that there are better days ahead... When I meet a dog it means a guaranteed meal everyday, endless supply of water, lots of snuggles, a warm bed, and a soon-to-be person to also guarantee this for the rest of their life. 

I'm not sure what happened to Joy before we met her. But we gave her a name. Because despite her gruesome appearance she lifted our day. I'm not sure what  happened to Joy but she is now very afraid of men; So much so that she feels she has to warn them off with scary growls and loud barks that are unnecessary. 

I am not sure what happened to Joy and I'd rather not think about it. All I know is that she is safe here with me during a very important transition in my life. I don't know what happened to Joy but I am here with her in a very important transition in her life.  

And I couldn't be more confident that she is supposed to be here with me right now. I'm supposed to be helping her feel better. I'm supposed to be teaching her how to to trust... 

I'm not sure exactly why she's here with me yet but I wanted you all to meet her. We've got a long road ahead of us and we're working on it. We are working on it together and I couldn't be happier that her big giant comfy crate is in the middle of my teeny-tiny living space. 

Meet Joy. She is learning how to trust and teaching me lots of very important lessons along the way. 




...and of course a song with some lyrics for the mellow dramatic effect. 





Comments

  1. UnknownDecember 11, 2013 at 6:39 PM

    Omg Alyss! Love reading your blogs. Love the story. LOVE JOY! All ACPB dogs have success stories n I love it! Wish u n gorgeous Joy lots of luck. :)

    ReplyDelete
  2. Michelle SatheDecember 11, 2013 at 8:10 PM

    You're wonderful. Bless you for saving Joy. I look forward to hearing about your journey together. Much respect. <3

    ReplyDelete

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