Tuesday Morning August 8, 2006

Gem of the Day:
'Tis better to have loved and lost
Than never to have loved at all.
~ Alfred, Lord Tennyson ~

See Vet Bills Paid So Far for August of '06 Totalling $10,942. 95

(This represents 45 checks written for just one week's worth of vetting for the Small Paws Bichons)

See Vet Bills Paid in July of '06 Totalling $ 34, 695.83

See Vet Bills Paid in June '06 Totalling $32, 194.05

See Previous Vet Bills Paid by Small Paws Rescue in 2005 Totalling $438,467.30

See our 140 listings of 146 adoptable Bichons! (Some of these listings are of bonded pairs!)

See our 140 listings of 146 adoptable Bichons by Zip Code!

Fill out an online adoption application!

How to Become a Much Needed Small Paws® Rescue Foster Parent!

Information About Our Programs

Small Paws Rescue Outreach: Puerto Vallarta Mexico

How Many Puppy Mills are in Your State?

The 2nd Annual Small Paws Rescue National Quilt!

Quilt Raffle Tickets $5.00 each
Add to Cart

Dear Small Pawsers,

Welcome to the newest members of our online mailing list, especially if you have seen us featured in one of our recently updated media articles , read about us in the best selling book "Chicken Soup for the Dog Lover's Soul", or if you saw Small Paws on the NBC Nightly News with Brian Williams!

Small Pawsers everywhere welcome you with open arms! We sincerely hope that you enjoy "Small Pawsing and reading Small Paws!"

If you are new to Small Pawsing®, this may look as if it is coming only to you but really it is going out to fellow Small Pawsers all across our country and in 20 foreign countries as well!

Adoption information is posted below. Turn up your speakers!
We have music for you!

If you missed our last newsletter, here it is. http://www.smallpawsrescue.org/pup3/august0706.html

This is an important newsletter that I hope you can all find a little time to read.

Some of you who are new to reading Small Paws, may be wondering why it's Small Paws' responsibility to care for Bichons that we don't even know, when they had owners or puppy millers who didn't, wouldn't, or couldn't do it....Bichons that most of us have never met personally.

If you are wondering... this is the answer.

It isn't our responsibility.

This is why I believe that we do what we do, and why we have done it now for over 8 years.

If you have ever loved a dog you know the wonderful feeling that gives back to you.

I'm here to tell you that I am approaching being an old person and I have loved many dogs in my life. I'm not a stranger to a lifetime of loving dogs.

In my young life as a child, my dogs were my friends, my siblings and my protectors, sometimes from things too difficult to write about here.

First, at age six, there was Catrina, then Tiger and Charmaine, then Fred and Munchie as I became a young adult.

Then when I was 33 years old, there was my once in a lifetime heart dog, Nicholas.

There was Bogie, our 14 year old St. Bernard who by simply dying in his sleep, curled up in his usual giant ball, miraculously caused me to be a published author with the Chicken Soup for the Soul Books, with absolutely no effort on my part.

Dale and I still have six dogs. Only two are Bichons.

No, I'm not a breed snob, and I know that many of you have watched me try to move heaven and earth to save mutts, Rotties, Dobies, you name it, I've probably tried to rescue it. Many of you reading this now have done the exact same thing, yourselves.

I always thought that if you had one great love...one heart dog...one love of your life dog, you could consider yourself to be very blessed and most fortunate.

I had that love. That total complete, that "there ain't nuthin' like it" kind of love, with my darling Nicholas.

After Nicholas, came the Bichons, Chipper first, then came my Spunky Monkey Man

I knew in advance that I wouldn't love them like I loved my Nicholas. I knew my one and only love had come...and gone, and I was so grateful to God just to have known love like that for 10 wonderful, beautiful, ending to soon years.

I was wrong. I was so so wrong. I only THOUGHT that you get that kind of love just once in a lifetime.

My Spunky Monkey Man came in, jumped right into my heart and wrapped himself up good and tight, and now, again, I have that once in a lifetime, better than you can write about it, kind of love. Whoda thunk it?

He is my little heart dog as much as Nicholas was, in years gone by. Tears fall as I write this now, but it's true.

Nicholas, I will always love you. You are packed away deep in my heart, and you will be there always.

Thank God that He sent Small Paws and my Spunky Monkey man to me, or I surely would have died from the grief of losing you.

But the Bichons. Ahh yes...the Bichons.

Bichons are different from any kind of dog you have ever known or ever will know.

They smile...they laugh when they think something is funny. Their laughing may begin with a THUMP THUMP THUMP of a tail against the bed sheet. The other's know exactly what the Bichon said, and they too, find it hilarious.

They DO have a sense of humor. They are passionate about blitzing, running in circles and doing flips, but then again, they are also so very sensitive. Unless they have been severely neglected or abused. they really wouldn't hurt a fly

My Spunky Monkey will not allow Dale or me to swat a fly with a fly swatter. He BEGS us not to do it. So there I am..catching flies in a bottle and letting them go outside...because Spunky wants it that way. One thing one does not want is a morose Spunky Monkey.

So, if you have been blessed as I was blessed, and if you have ever loved like this, you have been blessed by God, because I don't think that anyone but God could have given any of us a special love like this...a love like these Bichons give to us human beings.

So, those of us who have known this special kind of love with a Bichon, or a Bichon mix, want to do everything we can to save a Bichon's life, so that it in turn he or she can touch a human being, as we have been touched, in a way that they will never ever be the same.

That's why there is a Small Paws Rescue. That's why over 6000 people in 20 countries read this newsletter.

Most not-for-profits are supported financially by about 10% of their membership. We are so fortunate to be supported by about 18% of ours... 8% above the national average.

I hope this explains why we work so hard to help Bichons we have never met, and their new adoptive owners to be, friends we haven't met yet.

Which brings me to the reason for this newsletter.

Usually I can manage and cope with these kinds of things. But what has happened in the past few days is really too overwhelming for me and probably for you all too.

We all know it's August. That's the worst month for all not-for-profits and charities. I've watched this happen every August since we began in 1998. It happens to churches and to orphanages and to rescue groups, alike.

I suppose it is because of vacations and college tuition and school supplies and clothes, etc.

The rising cost of fuel has hit everyone's budget as well, and we all can understand that.

Also with this e-mail delivery problem we have had, even WITH the help of Habeas, many of our AOL members, Yahoo members, and Comcast members are still not getting their newsletters, try as we may.

Sometimes, the newsletters of up to 1700 of you bounce right back to us, unable to be delivered, read, or acted upon, for no apparent rhyme or reason. Boom. They just come back undelivered.

AOL says we aren't doing anything wrong and are whitelisted as approved mass mailers. Cox Cable says it's not their fault. Yahoo says there is no problem.

Everyone is sitting in a circle pointing at the other guy, and all we know is that Bichons all across our country are counting on our messages getting out, for their very lives.

We are looking at the possibility using another email delivery company, called Constant Contact. They would handle all aspects of our newsletters.

I would write the newsletter as I always have, and then copy and paste the HTML to their blank template.

Dale just came down and told me that I would have to learn how to use a new web page maker program, and I hope that I am bright enough to do that, as the last time I visited my beauty operator, I was still blonde.

Constant Contact would in turn then send the newsletters out to all of you, and it would be within the hour that I wrote them.

They say they can get through to every ISP. They would take care of all of the subscribes, unsubscribes, address changes, and bounces, that we now handle manually for several thousands of people on our mailing list. We unsub about 4 addresses a day and add about 8.

A "bounce" is when an addy is no good any longer the the member probably subbed in again with their new addy, making their old addy bounce back to us as no good anymore. We go in manually and remove these every day.

Constant Contact gives not for profits a 50% discount from their normal fees. It would cost us $480.00 a year to use this new Email delivery company, if we can make it work for us. They allow a free trial period for 30 days but it's only good for 100 email addies.

If anyone has any knowledge of this company, good or bad, speak now or forever hold your peace, please!

We're going to try a test in the next few days to the first one hundred of you on our mailing list, to see if this company can get through to all AOL, Comcast, Earthlink, Yahoo etc, members on that list of 100.

We'll be letting those 100 members know in a separate email, that they have become test victims, and will ask them to let us know if they all received the test.

We have lost thousands of dollars in income over the last five months, due to these email delivery problems.

I've talked with some of our member who have businesses that also require mass mailings, and they too are in the same boat, and we are all bailing water as fast as we can.

Last night, after paying 45 vet bills across the country, (and we only paid half of what we owe to Dr. Russell, here in Tulsa), we got this from Dave Hagadorn.

Subj: vet bills & money #
Date: 8/7/2006 8:40:12 PM Central Standard Time
From: dhagadorn@sbcglobal.net
To: pup3@aol.com

See Vet Bills Paid So Far for August of '06 Totalling $10,942. 95

After paying all vet bills, includes paying doc 1/2 $5440

-$3711.53 - leaves us in the red.
Dave Hagadorn.<

We still have nine SPR Bichons remaining in boarding at the Tulsa clinic. They have to stay there until we get one more negative test for ring worm and for mange, which came in with them from one of the mills.

We can't send them out to foster care until we are SURE with absolutely no doubt that they are clear from these two things.

Now I'm not as much worried about being 3700.00 in the hole as you might think. We have adoption fees coming in every day as well as Ebay sales and Gift Shoppe Sales. We have monthly donors and some of those donations come up every day.

I would say if we did nothing more in the way of fundraising, by Thursday we would probably be back up to zero...and we would start again from there.

THIS is what I am worried about. These are requests from just the last few days. We are really the only ones who can take these sick and injured Bichons and yet, I'm feeling like you all have given until you are blue in the face..and I have asked you t give until I am blue in the face, and yet...we still have these Bichons needing help.

Yes, I know I'm supposed to be the leader here, but please tell me what you guys would do ? How do we choose which Bichon gets to be pain free or escape hell in another puppy mill, at just two years old...??

We got this yesterday afternoon. The Ohio team leaders were on it immediately, and were planning to be there when the doors opened this morning.

>Permission to CROSS POST!! I called the Pound and these dogs are about 2 years old and in DIRE NEED OF A HAIR CUT and VETTING for their SKIN PROBLEMS. Please, will someone go get them!!>

There were six mill Bichons brought in to this pound. As it is, one 2 year old male has already been "adopted", and there are only five left. I can only pray it was a family who "adopted" him, in this condition.:( This is right smack in the middle of Ohio and Pa. mill country. Amish Puppy Mills)

The shelter will not put a hold on them for rescue. They may have mange or ringworm or both. I know they are hurting and they didn't ask for this.

Sent: Monday, August 07, 2006 1:23 PM
Subject: Pics of 6 Bichons at XXXXX, OH

Very dirty, matted, smelly and have skin issues. They need help now! # 6a & # 6b

"They are not yet posted on the website....we want to give rescues a chance to save them before the breeders snap them up! Please hurry! Adoption fee $10 each. Located southeast of the Akron/Canton area in Ohio.

The pound cannot hold dogs. Adoptions and rescues are first come, first served.>

If we get all five, the vetting will be a minimum of $2000.00 for all...probably more like $2500.00 for all.

Then, from that Stockton Ca shelter where the heat was so bad last week, we have this Bichon with breast tumors. The surgery will be $1500.00 and that is with a 50% discount.

This is how we first heard about her...

Subj: Another Bichon in California with medical issues....
Date: 7/31/2006 11:53:29 PM Central Standard Time
From: Darlena444@aol.com
To: Pup3

Hi Robin....

I hate to put this on you again so soon after Angelina, but we have another Bichon in trouble.... When I pulled Angelina, I also pulled what I was told was an older, white Poodle.... I had my doubts about whether it was a Poodle, but about 10 people (in Stockton) told me I was wrong....so I went with it.... Now I am told it is a Bichon with a Poodle haircut (a bad cut at that) and it has some problems or potential problems.... The other rescue group took her even though she had a growth on her lip. We took her in today to have the growth removed and we were told two things.... One is that she is a full Bichon and the other is she is full of tumors in her breasts. The foster home took her back home and they just don't have the resources to pay for surgery for an older dog that they probably will not be able to place and are considering just removing the one on the lip and letting the other tumors go or euthanizing her now. The vets are concerned because they do look Cancerous, but a biopsy has not yet been done....

Since she is a Bichon I am asking your advice.... do you want her to be a Small Paws dog or should I leave her with XXX. They are willing to give her up because of expenses and that she is an older dog....

A little about her... Muffin is about 9 or 10 years old and an absolute delight in her foster home... She plays constantly and eats like a horse....She has a Bichon personality for sure and is loving and sweet... Here is a photo of her when I first brought her in.... hair a little messy, but she cleaned up nice..... You can see the tumor on her lip on the left of the photo

Let me know what to do.....

Darlena....

Then, we got this... the vet estimate for Muffin.

Subj: Regarding Muffin...
Date: 8/3/2006 5:33:22 PM Central Standard Time
From: Darlena444@aol.com
To: Pup3

Muffin has breast tumors. They think they can get the cancer but the cost would be $1500.00. and that is with a 50% discount.

Hi Robin...

Update on Muffin.... She had x-ray and has many, many tumors.... could be Cancer but they are contained.... Vets feels she could have quite a few good years..... They would like to schedule surgery ASAP and remove them and also the one on her lip. There is an excellent group called For Paws who only do surgery for rescue groups.... they did her x-rays and would be doing her surgery.... the cost will be about $1500 instead of over $3000....

Let me know how you want me to handle this.....

Hugs from Darlena>

Then there is 10 year old out there that is about to go down. I absolutely hate the thought of this, but am not sure what to do here.

<Subj: Robin...do you want me to take this sweet Bichon on for SPR?
Date: 8/4/2006 4:32:39 PM Central Standard Time
From: Darlena444@aol.com
To: Pup3


Yankee, a senior Maltese-Bichon, was dumped at a Bay Area Shelter. He was very pathetic looking but he cleaned up well. His owners neglected Yankee and never took care of him. Yankee has a flea allergy which has caused loss of fur on his rear area and tail. Whoever takes Yankee with have some medical expenses. Yankee is a senior dog, about 10 years old and weighs 16 pounds. He needs a dental cleaning and should be neutered at the same time. Yankee only wants to be loved and return love. He is quite, gentle and loves nice slows short walks.>

And we have 4 year old Abe (He was bought by another rescue group for one cent at a puppy mill auction, thus the name) who has Juvenile cataracts which could cause glaucoma or cause him to actually lose his eyes. The testing alone is...well here it is from Lee Farrow. She is such a great foster mom.

Subj: Abe's Test Schedule
Date: 8/7/2006 6:58:44 PM Central Standard Time
From: BR> From: zoomommy22001@yahoo.com
To: pup3@aol.com


Hi Robin,
I just got a call from The Eye Clinic in Wheat Ridge, CO wanting to schedule Abe's tests to confirm his juvenile cataracts. They want to schedule it for the morning of Aug. 18. Surgery, if his cataracts are juvenile ones, would be scheduled for approximately 1 week later. The 2 tests are an occular ultrasound and an electroretinogram. Those tests will take several hours to get an answer. The cost for those tests should be between $350-400. That amount would be subtracted from the estimate for the surgery because that estimate includes the tests. I will have to pay that on the day the tests are done. If his retinas are bad, that is as far as it goes-no surgery would restore his sight.

Is this date ok with you? I know we have Baby Carrie's surgery to pay for. I don't know if I've missed another newsletter since you updated the web page. It gives me great pains to bring this news to you with all our other money needs. I'd give anything if Abe wasn't blind. :(

Just let me know if I should reschedule the tests. They have to be a week or so before any planned surgery.
Lee Farrow>

Then, just as it seems one more thing couldn't happen, this happened last night. From our new Colorado Team Leader, Velina... (Former Co. Team Leader, Joy Flora, and her husband, just moved to Kansas and will be helping soon in that area.)

Subj: Pupper in Need in Colorado
Date: 8/7/2006 8:05:55 PM Central Standard Time
From: foofoodogs@msn.com

Hi Robin, here's the situation with the 5 year old female Bichon. The
owner's do not want to pay to have the robin's egg size stone removed from
the dog. This is because they just bought a new house and the old house
hasn't sold. Where's the violin music! The dog has been on antibiotics for a
month and is still constantly peeing blood. The sister of the owner had the
dog this weekend and that's how Patty got involved. Patty said this little
girl is just a mess. The groomer had to shave her from head to tail due to
the mats. She also thinks there's an nasty ear infection going on as well.
The owner's are not taking care of the health issues. The sister of the
owner had to fly to Boston today and the owner came back from their long
weekend. The owner now has the dog. The sister wants them to surrender the
dog so she can get the medical needs she so deserves. I asked Patty to call
the sister (Patty has her cell phone number) and please have her call me
right away. If the owner agrees to surrender the dog I will forward the OTI
papers to her and move on this as quickly as we can. I believe the dog is
located in the Denver Metro area.
I have requested a couple different quotes for service from the vet's I use
for my puppers. One of the requests is from vet that did Biscuit (my 11 year
old Bichon) stones when she was just 3. She has never had a problem since.I
would hope we could get all of the dog's medical records when the owner
surrenders her.
I did have one quote come back at $950. This number is based on getting as
much info from the owner's vet. X-rays, culture and sensitivity test would
be more. This vet usually gives me a 15% discount. I still need to hear back
from 2 more.
I will let you know what happens after I talk with the sister and owner. I
hope that happens later tonight.
Thank you..........Velina>

If my addition is right, this adds up to about $5400.00 just for these few Bichons, not to mention the normal everyday Bichons that we take in from shelters and owners.

I'm going to ask if there is anyone out there who can help these Bichons, who through no fault of their own, have found themselves in this situation.

If you have given as much as you can give, we understand. No one understands more.

It would add injury to insult, of you were to run yourselves or your own Bichons short, so we do not want you to do that.

I think we may have to put a hold on taking in anyone else until we can take care of these that we have. If we don't have funds to vet and care for them, we can't keep taking them in.

Now, The Mad Quilter's Quilt Shoppe is still open and I know she still has a quilt for you, if you want one, and we have new Ebay items for you as well!

Subj: Birthday Quilts
Date: 7/28/2006 10:31:19 AM Central Standard Time
From: christinejohnson@alltel.net
To: Pup3@aol.com
Hey Robin,

It seems like we have so many fluff emergencies right now; so many precious little ones needing expensive vet care before they can find their forever homes. I’d like to help by offering some very special quilts for some very special bichons! Check out the new samples!





Personalized birthday quilts are here, and Bailey was MORE than glad to model for the center square. These quilts feature “Happy Birthday” fabric, multi-colored bones, a plaid, and even a doggie print with leashes, toys, and bowls. Very colorful and totally unique for that special dog of yours. They measure 32” square and are made of 100% cotton fabrics. Please note: photo transfers to fabric are not as “rugged” as regular rag quilt squares. Although they are washable, wash with care in cold water, and only when necessary. The photos may fade with repeated washings. Think what a wonderful wall hanging these would be, or as a table topper.

I’m also offering a birthday quilt with our favorite fluff puppy head in the center. Here it is:





Like quilt #1, this quilt is 100% cotton and 32” square. It features birthday fabrics and candles, and can be machine washed and dried as desired. For more pictures, please visit my “Small Paws Quilt Shop” website at: www.christinejohnson.org.


To order either quilt, just make a $50 donation on the secure Small Paws credit card website.

Or you may send a check or money order to:
Small Paws Rescue Inc.
3316 S. 72nd. W. Ave.
Tulsa, Oklahoma, 74107

Specify quilt #1 or #2, and if ordering #1, send me your fluff’s name and picture to BR> From: christinejohnson@alltel.net Please allow three weeks for delivery. Each quilt will be handmade for your fluff and it will take the ’42 Singer some time (not to mention the ’52 owner of said sewing machine!)


And just so you know….Bailey’s real birthday is August 16th, when I picked him up from a shelter in North Georgia as a FOSTER fluff. Don’t tell him what he’s getting for a present. J

Chris>

Stephanie Hunter is standing by to take your email donations by credit card and Janet Byrn is standing by to take your phone in credit card donations at 508-801-3106. She is on Eastern Standard Time.!

E-mail Stephanie Hunter, at dancinblvd@sc.rr.com and let her know the amount of their donation to help these Bichons. Please, at the same time, copy me at pup3@aol.com so we will know what is coming in.

You may also call your credit card donation in to Janet at 508-801-3106. She is on Eastern Standard Time.

See Vet Bills Paid So Far for August of '06 Totalling $10,942. 95

See Vet Bills Paid in July of '06 Totalling $ 34, 695.83

See Vet Bills Paid in June 2006 Totalling $31,106.85

See Vet Bills Paid in May 2006 totalling $40, 209.13

If you are new to Small Paws Rescue and have any questions about who we are, they may be answered in the following links.

Guidestar.com (You will need to register to be able see all not-for-profit's info now. Guidestar has changed this to require everyone to register now. You can get the basic Guidestar service for free!)

Small Paws Rescue Mission Statement

Before and After Pictures

Visa, MasterCard, American Express, and Discover Cards. You may use your major credit card securely, at this site. This is our own credit card server. It is secure.

Use your credit card securely here (http://www.cyberwealthautomation.com/app/netcart.asp?MerchantID=16318&ProductID=426742)

If you can't find a way to make your credit card work online, and we have your credit card on file already, please email Stephanie Hunter, at dancinblvd@sc.rr.com and let her know the amount of their donation to help these Bichons. Please, at the same time, copy me at pup3@aol.com so we will know what is coming in.

You may also call your credit card donation in to Janet at 508-801-3106. She is on Eastern Standard Time.

You may also send a check or money order to:
Small Paws Rescue Inc.
3316 S. 72nd. W. Ave.
Tulsa, Oklahoma, 74107

Another way you can help is to become a monthly supporter with an amount of your choosing. This is how to do that, securely, with your major credit card.
Make a recurring monthly donation here.

One of the ways you can help us is to donate your car, boat or motor home to Small Paws! We are now set up to sell these items on our Small Paws Ebay Page!

This is an article with more about donating a motor vehicle to Small Paws!

Another way you can help is to shop on our Small Paws Ebay Page! where we have a 100% Positive Feedback Score! We do need Ebay donation items!

to:	pup3@aol.com
from:	SPR Ebay	100% positive feedback rating!
subject:	EBAY UPDATE
	Hi, Robin,	Stay Cool!

Here is what is currently listed for Small Paws Ebay!

And we have added a new fundraiser for Small Paws. It's our own Cafe Press site! Come and see!

Come Visit Our Small Paws Rescue Store on CafePress!

From: dianamca@hughes.net

Hi Robin,
I've created a new section in our CafePress shop - The logo is different, lighter, and might appeal to more of our members.

You might want to mention it in the next newsletter you do - people getting ready for Summer events might enjoy some new logo wear.

Also, Buckwheat and Tina are featured on the first two SPR postage stamps, at just $19.99 a sheet.

http://www.cafepress.com/smallpawsrescue/1624245

http://www.cafepress.com/smallpawsrescue/1578193

Maybe it will help to raise some funds for when it's raining Bichons.

Diana>

Still yet another way you can help us is to Sign Up As a Small Pawser With IGIVE.COM! A portion of your purchases from major upscale retail stores will then come back to Small Paws and the Bichons! A New Store & Doubled Donations Make It Cool To Help Small Paws Rescue Inc. (July 26, 2006)

Another way you can help Small Paws AND give a Birthday or Anniversary gift, is to make a donation in that person's name or honor. Please be sure to include a note so that person or family can be sent notification via a beautiful Small Paws Rescue card!

Here's another way to help SPR....donate shares of stock! This is a win-win situation for everyone. No taxes on the donation (for either you or SPR) and no broker's fees. This is a great way to dispose of those miscellaneous shares of stock you've been holding on to and put them to good use!

And, if you can contribute to charities at work, through United Way...how about choosing Small Paws as your charity at your place of employment?

That's where we are today. Hopefully soon, the email delivery problems will be solved, and August will have transposed into September, and we will awaken to a new day, with crisp fall mornings. All My Love, Robin, and Nicholas who still lives in my heart.

In Honor of Zoey, by Pat Border

Subj: For Zoe
Date: 8/7/2006 8:49:04 PM Central Standard Time
From: Joanborders@aol.com
To: Pup3



Dear Robin,

When we first saw her in the video we knew she should come to us. You called her perfect love in an imperfect form. Her eyes alone conveyed all that she was.

Zoe, Greek for life, bore it ideally. She was life in its fullest; love, pain, joy, suffering, overcoming and becoming, while all the time the fullest measure of sharing and companionship.

When we first held her, there was no doubt.

Her four 'sisters', even through rubric of animal nature, putting the one less at the hierarchical bottom, each in turn betrayed it with what seemed silent understanding of her seniority and special needs. Even when they argued like children and vied for each others toys and treats, hers was always hers alone. She remained unchallenged with space deserved by her special nature.

She was so specially attached to her 'mom' who for almost three years loved her in gentle and caring ways. Early on there was water therapy in the jacuzzi for her weakened legs, always diapers every few hours even through the night. She learned to stand and walk strongly again though not always in a straight line. It seemed not only to please her, but to be a way of giving back to Joan's expectations. Then when the magic of aircraft aluminum and small wheels brought "Zoester's Coaster" she gained equality with the world in short spurts of joyful blitzes outside. Everything seemed more balanced with the world.

The last few months brought irreversible change however. It was change that no medicine could reverse, no therapy help, no love undo. Her little back legs continued to weaken and atrophy. Her bowels no longer worked even with considerable help. Her eyesight failed and painful abscess set in. Even then she kissed and snuggled. Even when she whimpered she wanted to be close, nosing up to Joan's neck and chin.

At the very end she strained to see us, giving the last of a thousand kisses in what seemed to be the unselfish sharing with us of her coming peace, helping in her own way to make life without her perhaps bearable.

We can feel her spirit now, in ways we could only imagine before; running in the wind and sun, unstoppable, ears pinned back in the breeze, tongue out with a smile on her lips, undaunted by the fate she faced in life.

We know she has not stopped since she crossed. We know she waits there for each of us who loved her before.

Zoe, little Zoe, fragile yet determined, imperfect yet so beautiful. We will so miss her.

For Those Broken of Heart From the Loss of a Beloved Pet

Always remember...
No matter what you have done, or where you have been, God loves you more than anyone else ever has and more than anyone else ever will.

This is a voluntary mailing list for friends of Small Paws® Rescue Inc.
Please click here if you wish to be removed.

Robin Pressnall
Executive Director
Small Paws® Rescue
Gospel CD: It's A God Thing!
Singing for Small Paws®
The Heart Murmur Repair Bichons Reunion Page
Small Paws® Rescue: Bichons Available for Adoption
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