A Dog in Need is a Dog in Need
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
benny55
April 12, 2019 @ 3:48 pm
DEBBIE!! OMD! I was riveted to every single word!
I’m coming back to write more so I can delight in the joy of your new pups! I don’t know rhe Russian word for “Debbie”, but clearly they had your name stamped on their hearts the day they were born.❤❤
For now though, I want to let you know how sorry I was to hear about your beloved Rooster. You paid tribute to him so beautifully. It is soooo clear how special your bond is. Like many here, I got to know him through your journey with Patches.
K DO know the reunion for those two was spectacular!! Patches was there at the ridge, healthy and fit on four as she saw Rooster get closer and closer. Once he saw his Patches he started running towards her with a speed he hadn’t had in years! They are together now watching over you and all your hooman and dog/kitty pack! I know you feel their presence bec rhey arr alwaus woth you❤❤
Lots of love to all
Sally and Alumni Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle and Frankie too!
careygram
April 12, 2019 @ 9:56 pm
Thank you Sally! So nice to hear from you and always thankful for your kind words and the smile they put on my face. It’s so hard losing our babies. It’s the worst part of being a dog mom and I’m sure anyone here would agree with me. But this community always helps me through the rough spots. And of course our new loves seem to know when we need hugs, silliness and understanding. We speak a common language…….the body language of unconditional love. Our pack is full and happy again and we have Rooster and Patches in our hearts along for every ride we take.
xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxox
Debbie and my angels Rooster and Patches
dobemom
April 12, 2019 @ 9:27 pm
Debbie! It was wonderful to hear from you again! I was literally just thinking about you a week or two ago. I’m over the moon happy you have new love in your life – 2, 3, and 4 legged love. What a beautiful thing you did to rescue these poor sweet creatures. You know Patches and Rooster are beaming down with pride. Thank you for catching us up on your busy new life. Can’t wait to see how these girls come out of their shells when they realize they hit the doggie lottery with you. Many hugs to you and your new pack.
Paula and Warrior Angel Nitro
careygram
April 12, 2019 @ 10:00 pm
Hi Paula! I’m so happy to “see” you here. It feels like coming home 🙂 Thank you for thinking of me and for being happy for me. I love how you put it- 2,3 and 4 legged love. There were so many things this year and the new girls are helping me through all the transitions. Thank you for saying they hit the lottery. We think we did. They are so cute and so lovable and we love watching them get happier and be more themselves every day. I am always happy to catch you up but I have to thank you for always keeping up and sending your support. It helps more than you could possibly know. Love isn’t what makes the world go around, it’s what makes the ride world worthwhile.
I hope you are doing well too. I’m sure you think of your angel every day. I’m here for you too.
xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxox
Debbie
jerry
April 13, 2019 @ 12:10 am
Oh oh OH! Now I know the entire story Deb, this is so amazing. YOU are so amazing! Wow thank you for sharing the details. Congrats, first of all, on your marriage. You’ve had such a year. And throughout it all, Rooster has been watching over you to make sure that the love and kindness you deserve keep coming your way in the form of beautiful dogs in need of patient, loving humans.
What a wonderful thing you are doing to help all of the pups. We are happy to get the word out any way we can. Thank you for sharing and thank you for all you do to make the world a better place for animals. You rock!
careygram
April 15, 2019 @ 3:12 pm
Thank you so much for your kind words. I am over the moon with my husband and the girls. And truly, the women who are getting these animals the care they need and finding them loving families, THEY are amazing. I’m humbled by them and I feel grateful that I can help in any way. I’m so happy to have my girls and I appreciate any help the community can provide. And I am ALWAYS grateful for my Tripawd community. You are always a part of what I do in an effort to help. Thank you, YOU rock!
xoxoxoxo
Debbie and the angels, Rooster and Patches
Michelle
April 13, 2019 @ 12:19 am
Debbie,
Congrats on getting married. Congrats on the new babies as well. They are adorable and they have adjusted really well. I am glad you let us know how things were going.
hugs
Michelle, Angel Sassy & Angel Bosch.
careygram
April 15, 2019 @ 3:18 pm
Thank you Michelle, Sassy and Bosch!
You are so sweet to take the time to send your kind words and the love and support behind them. I will ALWAYS be a part of the tripawd community. The people on here are angels to me too.
xoxoxoxo
Debbie And the Angels, Rooster and Patches
paws120
April 13, 2019 @ 12:55 pm
I think your rescue work is so admirable. A dog in need… indeed! And in other countries their demise can be so much more brutal and violent.
I am sorry you lost your heart dog. We never stop missing them, that is for sure but I am also glad that we find little places in our hearts that have room to love another. For sure you got double trouble and it sounds like they are right where they need to be.
Congratulations on your new additions and your new life 💖
careygram
April 15, 2019 @ 3:16 pm
Aww, thank you for your sweet words and support. I just love dogs and want to make a difference anywhere that I can. And honestly, I feel like they teach me so much and love me so unconditionally that they rescue me too. And any dog in need is a dog that I will help. People are cruel in every country.
And you’re right, I’ll always miss my heart dogs. Forever. Just like I miss every fur child I’ve ever had. But I’m better for having had them even though the loss is painful forever.
Thank you from the top to the bottom of my heart for your kindness.
xoxoxoxox
Debbie And the Angels, Rooster and Patches