July 24, 2003
Gem of the day: In everyone's life, at some
time, our inner fire goes out. It is then
burst into flame by an encounter with another
human being. We should all be thankful for
those people who rekindle the inner spirit.
Albert Schweitzer
Dear Small Pawsers,
Welcome to the newest members of our online
mailing list! Small Pawsers everywhere welcome
you with open arms!
If you are new to reading Small Paws®, 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 several foreign
countries as well. Adoption information is
posted below. Turn up your speakers! We have
music for you!
First of all if you did not receive the last
newsletter that we sent, here it is.
http://www.smallpawsrescue.org/pup3/july21.html
This is going to be one of those "BETTER
THAN GREAT NEWS" newsletters! I do so
hope you guys enjoy it! Go get some coffee...it's
ok..we'll wait.... Ok, are you back? Sit
down and enjoy seeing your donation dollars
hard at work for these Bichons!
Monday afternoon, with many crates loaded
into Glory, (Glory is my red Volvo station
wagon...she knows the way to every commercial
kennel in Mo.) I headed over to Missouri.
It was a long drive from Tulsa, Oklahoma,
to Rolla, Missouri...about 5 1/2 hours.
I have to tell you. I had dread in my heart
about this particular rescue and I told Dale
that I would give anything not to have to
go. You guys know about it. It was the one
where they had advertised seven females and
two males for sale in one of those small
weekly newspapers. "BICHON BREEDERS"
the lady had called them in the ad.:(
I negotiated a GREAT price with her, and
was set to pick them up on Tuesday morning.
And then, she told her friend about us, and
as it happened, I was to meet her first,
and pick up a "few" (she told me
it was four....it ended up being EIGHT) more
dogs of different breeds, (not Bichons) who
were to come into rescue and retirement.:)
I stayed in a brand new Comfort Inn, only
three months old, but it struck me as odd
that I had absolutely NO cell service where
I was...and this was TOWN. God help me if
I have trouble...I had no CELL SERVICE here!
I prayed and asked God to please let everything
go smoothly. These things can go south on
a dime, and when they do, it isn't pretty.
I have one of those portable GPS systems
that directs Glory and me from town to town.
I have named her "Grace." Know
why??? Ahem..."Twas GRACE that brought
me safe thus far...and GRACE will lead me
home"....She has a woman's voice. Her
name had to be Grace.
Bright and early the next morning, I left
the brand new parking lot of the hotel, and
headed for Edgar Springs, Mo. to meet the
first lady. (NOT MRS. BUSH) It was a cool
morning and we were having a much needed
respite from the 106 degree heat of the previous
days.
Down Highway 63 I went..19 miles to the 66
Convenience Store. No one was there to meet
me. Tick Tick Tick...Where is she??? THERE
SHE IS... IN BACK.
I swung around to the back when I saw a woman
step out of an old pick up, painted in camouflage
style, COVERED IN BLOOD. GOOD LORD GOD WHAT
HAPPENED???
It seems that two of the dogs I was taking
back with me, (not Bichons) had tried to
kill each other when riding in a crate together
from her place up to the store. CORGIES.
TWO HONKIN' BIG CORGIES that were bleeding.
One was bleeding from the face and one from
the ear. She told me that Corgies sometimes
do this, fight with each other, and later,
the Corgi rescue person confirmed it. BAD
CORGIES. NAUGHTY CORGIES. NO FIGHTING ON
MY WATCH. NOW STOP THAT.
I explained to her that Bichons are lovers
not fighters.
She told me that since these two tried to
croak each other, they have to ride in separate
kennels. I had planned on putting them both
in a 400 kennel. Not gonna work now. SHOOT.
That means this is going to take up one of
my kennels I was saving for the Bichons,
which were waiting for me at the next place.
The wheels in my brain were beginning to
churn with worry when I saw what was in the
back of her truck. I had a place for four
of her dogs..and two of them were supposed
to ride together. (This was before I learned
of World War Three)
There was one huge cream colored POM (I brought
him back and still need to find rescue for
him) and there were four miniature poodles,
and one tiny toy white poodle named Cracker
Jack. (Poodles have already gone to Tulsa
Poodle Club Rescue)
This lady had sold her property and was closing
on it at 10:00 A.M. later that morning. These
were the last of the dogs she wasn't able
to sell and they were headed towards being
out down if I didn't take them.
She said, "Just leave one Corgie here
and I will "go take care of it myself."
Oh noooooo...that's ok. Thanks for the offer
but...WE WILL MAKE ROOM.
Nonchalantly, I was eying the crates in my
car and trying to count dogs in my head..ok..if
YOU go here...is there room for YOU here...and
don't show your teefies to ME buddy...I'm
tougher than I look! And I looked right in
that corgies eyes and growled right back
at him. I told him if he didn't settle down
I would have to show him what a hissy fit
was and it would be guaranteed to scare him
bald headed and breathless. At this point,
he actually seemed to smile at me...either
that or he was practicing showing his teeth.
Ok, we were loaded up..blood guts and all.
The corgies ear had now stopped bleeding
and she looked as if she was ready to go
another round. NO FIGHTING ON MY WATCH DON'T
MAKE ME STOP THIS CAR.
As I programmed Gracie for the next town,
I picked up the cell phone to call Bonnie
to tell her I had 5 poodles, a pom, and two
fighting Corgies with me...but all it said
was "WAIT FOR SERVICE"..no cell
phone service. BLAAHH. I was in the BOONIES
I tell you.
I drove south of Rolla for quite a while
and had to call for directions again. This
was too far out in the boonies even for Grace
or Glory.
As I went past the store, I began counting
mailboxes. One, two three FOUR...That must
be it. The kennel building was to the side
of the house. It was a small trailer with
cut outs of hand built wooden cages sticking
out.
I pulled up and out came a little girl, maybe
age four, walking barefoot on gravel. OUCH...this
reminded me of another rescue we did. Remember
this one?
Hillbilly Bichon: A Drive in the Country
She said to me, "You gotcha some puppies?
We got us some puppies"...I thought
of how this occupation is handed down through
the generations and I shivered.
Her Grandmother came out to the car and began
giving me the once over. "Now you are
SURE these dogs ain't gonna go into no laboratories?"
I assured the lady that these dogs will be
going to better homes than she or I will
ever see. I told her how some of you, these
dog's future homes, have TWO homes...some
on beaches and in the mountains!
I guess she believed me because she began
looking at the available space (or the lack
thereof) and crates I had remaining in the
car.
I told her not to worry...that I had done
this alot and we would have room for everyone.
I said it so as to convince myself as well.
She and I went back to her kennel and she
opened each cage door. It was soon clear
that I was the one who was going to have
to reach in there and get each one out.
Nice doggie. I'm a Bichon Mom! NO BITES.
NO BITES.
I told her that her dogs looked good...(they
were clean and white) and then I put my foot
in my mouth and began to chew vigorously.
I said, "Sometimes we see dogs that
have flat been through the mill..."
THE MILL??? THE MILL???? (Who IS that blonde
woman and why doesn't she SHUT UP???)
My remark seemed to go by unnoticed and for
that, I was grateful.
With each precious Bichon that I picked up
and carried out to the safety of the car,
I held them close to my chest and whispered
into their soft little ears....."You
won today! You won the lottery! No one is
ever going to hurt you again! Everyone LOVES
you now! We are going to BRING YOU ON HOME!"
As I made trip after trip back to the car
with Bichon in tow, I felt like I had all
of you walking right all around me. THOUSANDS
OF YOU.
With each Bichon that I put in the car, I
worried where in the world are all of these
dogs going to fit.
I had my overnight case...WITH MY LAPTOP
COMPUTER IN IT...lying on the ground. The
thought entered my mind that I might actually
have to leave it there with the lady and
come back and get it later, in order to have
enough room for another dog.
When at airports, and I ask strange men to
help me to put the bag into the overhead
compartments, I tell them to be careful!
There are over 4000 dogs in that bag!
One by one we loaded Bichons. She kept telling
me not to forget Bitsy, an 11 ear old Shih
Tzu that she was "throwing in fer free."
She must have mentioned Bitsy ten times,
so I figured Bitsy was probably sterile and
taking up space and food.
As things stood, it wasn't looking good for
Bitsy to have a place to ride. I knew I had
to meet an owner turn in back in the next
town over, with a 7 mos. old female Bichon,
being turned in for having separation anxiety.
They said she won't ride in a crate without
going poopie all over herself, (LOVELY) but
that she WOULD ride in the passenger floor
board. Hallelujah. So THAT space was reserved
for DAISY.
When a dog has a chance to get out...you
have to get them out. It doesn't matter if
they aren't of the Bichon persuasion. They
are of the canine persuasion and they have
been given a gift of an opportunity...a small
window of hope for freedom. You HAVE to get
them out if you have even a tiny a chance.
It may be THEIR only chance.
There was maybe room for ONE more dog in
one more small crate...whew. I was thinking
I had made it. Bitsy, here we come. You are
coming home.
The lady took me into the trailer, her "puppy
house", and that is when my heart dropped
to the dirty floor beneath us.
GOOD GOD HAVE MERCY THERE ARE TWO MORE BICHONS
IN THERE AND EACH ONE HAS ONE PUPPY. THERE
IS NO WAY I CAN LEAVE THEM HERE. NO WAY.
I proceeded to load up Bitsy trying to act as if this didn't matter to
me at all.
My brain was on overload with worry and with
prayer, while my mouth kept going on like
nothing was wrong.
After Bitsy was loaded up, I looked into
the car and saw there was no more room and
no more crates available. I felt defeated
and just didn't know how I could find a place
for the two mamas, each with one baby, even
IF she would sell them.
My mouth started talking again, as if on
it's own. I said, "I see you had two
more Bichons in the puppy house. Have you
got anymore?"
"No", she tells me. "That's
it. After those pups are old enough, I will
sell ya the momas if ya want."
I said "Well it sure was a long way over here."....My
mouth had decided it was going to make a
deal, even if my brain knew there was no
more room. "How much would it take to
get the two mamas and their babies,TODAY?"
"Caaan't" she answers. "The
babies is already sold."
I asked her if she already had the money
in her pocket. (Money is what some of these
folks understand...life may not mean much
to some of them, but money talks) I told
her how time after time we have watched baby
Bichons croak, BLAHH, dead, deceased, assuming
room temperature, right before our eyes.
"As old as these?" she asked.
"As old as these", I assured her."I
am here today, right now, standing before
you. Those pups are alive right now. Tomorrow
they may not be. Things change with people.
People change their minds sometime. I am
here now, offering you real money...and a
home like you and I only dream of for these
babies. Would $500.00 do it, to get everybody?"
My mouth was operating on it's own now, and
even I couldn't get it to shut up.
To my UTTER and COMPLETE amazement, she accepted
the offer. I got the checkbook out and wrote
that check, lickety split.
DEAR JESUS....where in the world will I put
them. THERE IS NO MORE ROOM.
I began to pray..."Ok God, here's the
deal. I have to put TWO more adults, each
with a baby, SOMEWHERE in this car. I need
one of those LOAVES and FISHES miracles that
You are so good at. I need MORE space GOD,
and I need it now.
The lady's adult daughter and I began to
pull everything and everyone out of the car
and setting the crates and the computer back
on the ground. I didn't have enough crates!
I couldn't put a mama Bichon and her baby
in with either of the growly butt Corgies!
I looked over against an out building and
saw an almost dead crate. I asked if I could
borrow this crate. We worked to get it sort
of put together and rinsed the dead frog
smell out of it.
BINGO. The crate worked (we had to bungee
cord the door shut) and we put one mama Bichon
and one baby into it, resting them on a clean
soft towel. We turned the car on, and moved
the electronic front seats as far forward
as they would go, and as if it were magic,
slipped the crate through the MIDDLE OPENING
of the front seats and on top of one of the
already situated crates. We used Bungee cords
to tie everything down.
It was then I saw ONE more crate on the back
FLOOR of my back seat! It was empty! We put
the other mama and her baby in that crate,
and using the same "through the middle
of the seats" procedure, we put it right
back where it was, this time carrying precious
cargo!
Wanna SEEE???
I took this picture while waiting for the
owner turn in to get there.
http://www.smallpawsrescue.org/pup3/722rescue6.jpg
Notice how there is not one inch of room
anywhere in that car, and yet everyone had
a place to be and lie down.
The computer even made it out!! Seee???
http://www.smallpawsrescue.org/pup3/722rescue9.jpg
See the mama and 14 day old baby???
http://www.smallpawsrescue.org/pup3/722rescue4.jpg
Here is a web page about the whole rescue.
Turn up your speakers!"Love Walked in
and Tapped Me on the Shoulderrrr"
http://www.smallpawsrescue.org/pup3/722rescue.html
So, now you know how important you all are.
Each and every one of you. I couldn't have
offered the lady money for these four extra
Bichons without you. I couldn't have told
her about these great homes we have waiting,
without you.
I told her how we save the babies for people
who are grieving the loss of a beloved pet
or person in their life. I told her now there
is no market for Bichons now, and she was
going to loose her shirt AND panties if she
tried to raise them. She promised me she
was finished with those nasty Bichons! (YES!!)
Each mama had delivered five babies and one
by one they all croaked on her...EXACTLY
what I had just told her would happen.
And someone was praying for me. I could feel
it. If you were praying for me on Tuesday
morning, please let me know it was you. I
am telling you. I COULD FEEL IT!
All of these babies are in rough shape medically.
They have tumors, cherry eye, hernias and
will need several teeth pulled. They are
older dogs and have been bred and bred and
bred. We are going to have some huge vet
bills and I know when we do, you guys will
come through yet again, and help us to pay
them. Thank you in advance!
Are you ready for even MORE good news? ARE
YOU READY???!!! Remember Jen Battaglia, our
Ohio team leader, was recently diagnosed
with TWO kidney tumors...one on each kidney.
They sent her to a surgeon and we all began
to PRAY! LOOK!! No surgery needed! IT'S A
GOD THING!!!
<Subj: SPR updates
Date: 7/22/2003 9:36:19 PM Central Daylight
Time
From: BichonHappy@aol.com
Hi Everyone!
Just wanted to let you know I got miraculous
news today at the doctors:)
Remember I was told by my urologist that
I had tumors on both my kidneys & I needed
to go to the Cleveland Clinic to see a specialist
about removing them?
Well......I went last thursday to the Clev
Clinic & he said yes he did see a tumor
on my right one but wasnt sure about the
left & to come in today for more tests.
So my appt for testing was at 7:30 &
I had to wait until noon to see what he saw
(talk about agonizing).
He came in with the biggest smile on his
face. Turns out with a better ct scan he
was able to see that the "tumor"
on my right is scar tissue & an abnormality
from a surgery I had as a child. The "tumor"
on my left is a BENIGN cyst that can stay
as is! I said "are you kidding?"....he
said "make no mistake about it, no tumors!"
So I go back in a year for an xray to check
it & thats it! (moral of the story- ALWAYS
get a second opinion!, the doctor at my community
hospital would have operated).
My mom isnt on spr mailing list so I told
her about all the miraculous things that
happen to fellow small pawsers & how
I felt like this was truly one of them. I
mean for the past month, if I had a dime
for everytime the word tumor & cancer
was used & today, I am fine:)
Thank you all soo much for your kind emails/prayers....I
KNOW they made a difference & I am so
thankful to be part of this group.
~Jen>
Can you handle any MORE GOOD NEWS?? Can you
STAND IT???!! LOOK! Leo's killer LOST his
appeal!!! This man has been such a jerk to
Sara, Leo's Mom. Let's hope this is the end
of his ravings.
California court rejects appeal by dog killer
Hey Leo's murderer...I have a nice CORGI
for ya... (Not really. Said Corgies are safe
with Corgie rescue!) I do still need a Shih Tzu rescue for BITSY!
THIS JUST IN! We have a LOST SPR Bichon in
Albuquerque New Mexico! ACK! Please pray!
This has happened before and each time we
have found them!! Melody! Get your little
white butt HOME!!!!
<From: cheist5@comcast.net
To: Varina
Sent: Wednesday, July 23, 2003 11:25 PM
Hello Varina,
It's Cathy here in ALBQ. I have news that
is devastating to me. Little Melody took
off out of the backyard while I went to run
a few errands. sometime between 4 and 5:30
PM on the 23rd. My neighbor and I searched
the neighborhood calling her name and asking
other neighbors if they saw a little white
fluff with scraggly and very stained hair
.The wrought iron gate openings were netted
over, but she wiggled through I'm guessing.
She had not gone close to the gate, but may
have freaked out when I left. or if there
was a bit of thunder when a small disturbance
moved in and out. She had a little access
to the back yard through a cracked patio
door and I guess she went out and then went.
I feel absolutely horrible. She has too cute
a personality to have anything else happen.
I've gone back through the neighborhood three
times, posted notices on light poles and
will be checking shelters like mad tomorrow.
I cannot believe this happened. I feel like
an absolute heel. I should never have left
the door cracked at all. I just felt that
she would not even go out without me. I'll
keep you posted. I did think about calling
when I was over and done with the searches,
but thought you cannot do a thing and it
was late.So I thought an email would get
the message across and keep you in bed. Leave
me a message at home if you need or email
me if there's anything else you think of
that I can do. I feel terrible!
Cathy>
Next, wanna come to a Small Paws® Rescue Bichon
Bash in Southern Ca. next month? I will be
attending and will look forward to meeting
many of you, I hope!
<DATE: AUGUST 2, 2003, SATURDAY from 12-5
at the home of Jeanine and Liz at 4310 Westlawn
Ave. LA 90066
phone number is 310-390-8944. Please have
them RSVP to Marti Colwell at marti@cmgdelivers.com asap. Tell everyone that if they have anything
they would like to auction off (doesn't have
to be dog related) to contact Nancy Springston
at nsprings@san.rr.com.>
Next, who has had knee surgery on their Bichons???
<Subj: newsletter
Date: 7/22/2003 4:39:30 PM Central Daylight
Time
From: goodboyraymone@comcast.net
To: Pup3@aol.com
Hi Robin:
Just wondering if you could mention in the
next newsletter that anyone who has had experience
with Bichons and ruptured ACL injury to e-mail
me about their experience. My bichon Bunny
is having surgery this thursday and I am
very concerned and hoping that if I could
hear from someone else and know what to expect
that might help to alleviate my anxiety.
This poor girl just had surgery for bladder
stones and removal of a mammary gland tumor
and I feel so sad for her that she has to
go under the knife again! Bunny was rescued
from CACC in Brooklyn and I can only suppose
that she was a pet store/puppy mill bichon....
who is a "perfect" example of all
the genetic disorders these dogs are prone
to since she has degenerative disc disease,
skin allergies, renal calculi, luxating patellas,
and now this, which the doc said is genetic
because the ligaments are weak. What a shame!
Thanks!!
Robbin>
Next, we have this note of thanks..
<Subj: Thanks for the thoughts and prayers
Date: 7/22/2003 12:16:24 PM Central Daylight
Time
From: RUBY288@aol.com
To: Pup3
Robin,
I just want to thank everyone on the list
for the thoughts and prayers offered on Bitsie's
behalf. She had her hip surgery this morning
(7/22/03). The doctor just called me and
said that the surgery went well and that
she is doing fine. He removed the ball of
the left femur and made a false joint. She
will stay in the hospital tonight and we
will pick her up tomorrow, at which time,
we will be shown the therapy that we must
do with her. He wants to do the same surgery,
on the right leg, in November or December.
One of the list members was gracious enough
to share her own experience with Legg-Calve-Perthes
disease. In doing so, she solved a mystery.
I shared her experience with the surgeon
and he said that it was very possible/probable
that Bitsie has the same disease. It seems
that she may very well have had Legg-Calve-Perthes
disease since puppyhood. Left untreated,
it has manifested itself as a major problem
in her later years. Unfortunately, there
is some concern that many years with deformed
hips may have also created a disc problem.
My heart breaks for her. It seems like a
lot to go through at 11 years of age. But
fortunately, Bitsie seems oblivious to the
fact that there's any reason for me to be
concerned for her. She is a tough "old
broad."
Once again, I want to thank everyone for
their prayers and thoughts. I received so
many e-mails of concern, reassurance and
information. I am so grateful to Small Paws®
for the three wonderful pups they allowed
us to take into our home and our family.
I can't begin to tell you the joy they have
brought us. But most importantly, I'm grateful
to Small Paws® for the many lovely people
that it has brought into our lives. Thanks
again and keep those prayers coming!
Donna Horbal
PS
Pacer and "the Bubba" are very
confused. They want to know where their queen
is. They don't know how to act with no one
to boss them around and make them give up
their spot on the sofa. >
And these prayer requests..
<bcostolo@yahoo.comwrites:
Hey guys,
I need lots of prayers for my little Emmy
we adopted over a year ago from Small Paws®.
She's not quite a Bichon but she is very
precious to us. She's not been able to walk
very well over the past couple of days and
today she just couldn't get up. She'll be
going to the vet this morning to see what
is wrong. She came to us as a little nippy
thing and now she is nothing but a love I
don't know what I would do if I were to loose
her- she has been so close to me since the
day we got her.
I wont think the worst because I know with
our prayers she'll get better. Please take
a moment and pray for her. Thank you, Beth>
<Date: 7/23/2003 12:32:26 PM Central Daylight
Time
From: shrkrask@comcast.net
Also, Robin a Prayer request from Donna and
George Mowery...they are in Southern Oregon
on vacation and their "Breeze"
is at the local vet's receiving IV fluids
for an unknown illness...They are very, very
concerned:o( >
Well, I think that is all for now. We love
you...each and everyone of you. Thank you
for making this exciting and at times, PRAYERFUL
work possible. Thank you! WE BROUGHT THOSE
BABIES ON HOME!!!!! Love,Robin
P.S. If you are a new Small Pawser and are
wanting adoption information, these are the
Bichons we have for adoption right now on
our Petfinder's Page. Check in often as this
page changes almost daily! (Bichons in waiting
are adopted as newbies are added!)
Available for Adoption
This is an online application
TOP 10 REASONS YOU KNOW MARTHA STEWARD IS
STALKING YOUR DOG
10. There's potpourri hanging from his/her
collar.
9. The dog's nails have been cut with pinking
shears.
8. The dog toys are all stored in McCoy crocks.
7. The pooper scooper has been decorated
with raffia.
6. That telltale lemon slice in the new silver
water bowl.
5. You find liver and whole wheat dog treats
stamped out with
copper cookie cutters and decorated with
royal icing using a
#2 rosette tip.
4. Dog hair has been collected and put into
wire baskets for nesting
material for the birds.
3. A seasonally appropriate grapevine wreath
adorns the front
of your dog's crate.
2. Your dog goes outside naked and comes
in wearing a thyme
colored virgin wool hand knitted sweater
with matching boots.
AND THE NUMBER ONE WAY YOU KNOW THAT MARTHA
STEWART IS STALKING YOUR DOG IS...
1. The dog droppings in your backyard have
been sculpted into swans.
Faith doesn't get you around trouble, it
gets you through it.
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
Small Paws® Rescue: The Gift Shoppe
Small Paws® Rescue: Visa, Master Card, American
Express, Discover Card
Robin's Canine Cancer Files
