Patches Journey

Without beating around the bush……..I am a tripawd mom again. I can’t believe everything that has happened in the space of a year and in the weeks leading up to getting my new DOGS. That’s right, dogs, not dog.

I don’t even know where to begin……so I’ll just let it all hang out. This year I bought a house, got married, broke a finger, toe and tooth, lost my sweet Rooster and got two rescue dogs from Russia, one of which is a tripawd, and got a new job. Don’t get me started on the home remodeling but that happened along with getting in a car accident caused by a 16 year old who looked to have had her license for 5 minutes.

The important stuff- My sweet Rooster, my doggy soul mate, my love, my boy boy and my loyal and loved companion of 13 years passed away on January 30th. I was crushed. God he was a good dog. He died in his sleep and I knew it was coming and I had a chance to say goodbye and I was still crushed. It’s different than losing a dog to bone cancer but no less painful. I wanted him to live forever if Patches couldn’t. That part never gets easier. Especially considering that I made sure I got a house with a big fenced in yard so that he could live with me and run around. We were so close. I had hoped he would get to meet the new dogs to help him feel like he had siblings. I still can’t believe I don’t have him. There will never be another dog like him. And I loved Patches fiercely but he was my soul mate in a dog. He was the gentlest and kindest and goofiest dog I have ever met. I will miss him and Patches for the rest of my life. I doubt I’ll ever be able to keep my eyes dry when thinking or talking about them but I’m ok with that. having them was worth the pain.

And then enter Dasha and Katusha. I may have mentioned that the girls came from Russia. I’ve come up against a few snarks who want to know why I would go to Russia when I could adopt here. My reply is “a dog in need is a dog in need”. I didn’t feel the need to mention that if they don’t want their dogs in Russia, they throw them out, shoot them, poison them and do other things I can’t even talk about. Not that it’s anyone’s business. I agreed to adopt my tripawd Katusha first. When I was asked if I would take Dasha as well my husband didn’t hesitate to say yes. Just one of the many reasons why I love the man dearly. And these dogs are soooo sweet, so good for my heart and so in need of a gentle hand and kind heart. Dasha is smaller and looks like a samoyed mix. She got here first on January 18th. She arrived complete with passport and baby picture. She was 6 months old, fuzzy and adorable. She was so scared when she got here and stressed from the travel. Turns out she hadn’t seen many men and she was nervous around them, scared of strangers…..scared of almost everything except me. Katusha came on February 1st and we think she is about a year and a half. Her story is not totally clear but from what we know, she had a family who put her out on the street when they no longer wanted her. She was near the train station when someone found her with her bone sticking out of her leg. We think she got hit by or thrown in front of a train. She walked around begging for help for a few weeks before someone took her and got her the care she needed. Her story broke my heart. I saw her picture and that was all it took. She is a love. To us. To anyone else, she is petrified and she nips. This is my first biter. And I thought I had this rescue thing down pat. She doesn’t lunge, latch or lock but she definitely lets you know she’s there. She goes for the back of the legs because she doesn’t want to get kicked. The things that this poor dog endured are disgusting and I will do anything to see her acclimate and not be scared of anyone. we are taking baby steps.  But they are here and we are delighted.

I guess my biggest concern was ……….how do you acclimate a dog from another country? What challenges does the fact that they are from Russia pose? Well……as it turns out, none really. Other than the fact that I had to learn to say “no” in Russian rather quickly. I was worried that they would have problems with our food and water. They didn’t. I wanted to give them some small comfort in any way that I could given that their entire worlds changed in one short trip. Every single thing was different right down to the language. So I learned some Russian words and we got them some of the cushiest beds and blankets I’ve ever seen. Not to mention some great food. And we loved them to pieces. They now understand a lot of words and phrases, especially “outside”, “time to eat” and “go git the kitty” lol.

And here we are almost three months in with Dasha and 2.5 with Katusha. What does that look like now??? Well, for starters, Katusha looks and acts like a different dog. She smiles more, she has gained some needed weight and she is playful and soooooooooo loving. To us lol. She now loves my son, who at first terrified her. She now loves my step-son. She is learning to have visitors without tasting them. The soft muzzle is a god send. We are being very patient and letting them tell us what they need and when. This is a big transition for them and we plan on at least a year until they no longer worry about or are affected by their past. Dasha is still nervous around new people but she now loves the boys as much as the girls. She and Katusha take turns sitting on my husband’s lap. And by take turns, I mean fight for real estate until they get their turn. We are totally in love with them. The cat ……..yes, there’s a cat and that’s another story for another day, but the cat isn’t as enamored but she’s getting there. And best of all, Katusha doesn’t even realize she’s a tripawd. She tears around the yard and can keep up with the best of them. I look out the window and watch them play and I cry. I cry happy tears for them, sad tears for what they went through and tears for my Rooster and Patches who I still miss with a heart crusing pain. It will always be there but my heart still has room.

The last thing I want to ask is this…………….if anyone here wants to adopt a tripawd, or even a quad pawd from russia, please let me know. PLEASE. There are currently three in need. Two boys and a baby girl. Uran, Mercury and Panda. I have attached pictures of Uran and Panda. Uran was found with a broken hip and leg and had bullets in him. He is a back leg amputee, as sweet as they come and he is in the US (PA). Panda is five months old and currently in Russia. She was attacked by a large dog and that is how she lost a front paw. I have uploaded pictures of Dasha, Katusha, and Panda. Details on Mercury will be available in a a week or so and I can provide a link to information on sweet Uran.  And a word about the group of women who rescue these dogs. They are very selective about who they let in. They have devoted their lives and their funds to rescuing dogs. They have two and three jobs to support what they can. I donate but they don’t ask for any funds. They simply want to get these dogs to homes where they will be loved dearly, like all dogs should be loved. So…….if you have an interest, or know anyone who would be willing to foster or adopt. Please let me know. I have three friends who have adopted and fostered and they are lined up to do it again. I am so grateful I got to make a difference. And if it weren’t for my sweet Patches, I would have never known.

As always, thank you for reading. I’m sorry if I rambled, there is just so much to tell and so many details. Suffice it to say, I am never far from my Tripawd community. You are never far from my mind. You all helped me through losing my girl and through her and you, I am helping other dogs in need. I used to say “I’m only one person, how can I make a difference?”.  And now I know how I can make a difference.

With love and hugs,

xoxoxoxoxoxo

Debbie and Angel Patches and Rooster