December the 8, 2003, was my first experience with rescue. We had received a call from our local animal shelter that a breeder had died and they had a large number of Shih-Tzu that needed to be placed. Upon entering the shelter I told one of the employees that I had reason to believe that one little female by the name of Kissy was there, and if she was I wanted to take her. We were led down a long hallway, there was several rooms filled with little faces pressed against the metal rooms. I had never seen anything so heartbreaking in my life. We began to call out Kissy and she was barking and came to the front. We all agreed we had found Kissy. Oh how happy she was to be free.
We had 3 carriers left and it was left to me which ones I would take and foster. I looked at those little faces and thinking how could I do this. The carriers doors were opened and the door to their cell was opened. I told them who wanted to come with me to get in the carriers...3 little girls marched out and got in the carriers. There was one that had Kennel Cough and it hurt to hear her cough. I told them I would take her. We loaded them in my car and I headed straight to the vet. These little girls were filthy and smelled awful. Upon, arriving at the vet they were weighed, given their vaccinations and wormed. I was told they had whip and tape worms. Their stools would have to be picked up and discarded. They would have to go in quarantine for up to 10 days for they had been exposed to parvo.Three of these little girls were so matted they looked like they had boots on. It was time to name the girls and my director said I could name them. The girls were given names Kissy, Samatha, Amy, Violet and Carly.
It was time to start having their surgeries done. Carley and Violet were the first to have their spay surgeries done Violet had a large hernia repair done. Also Violet was in extreme pain and was crying and Kissy got in the carrier and tried to comfort her. This was the most touching thing I had ever seen. Amy and Samantha each had their surgeries. Kissy was the last to have spay and hernia surgery. A few days later Kissy was having trouble urinating, back to the vet we went. X-rays were done and she had kidney stones. She had 15 small stones and 3 large ones, one stone was lodged deep in the urethra, and it was adhered to the urethral wall. It took and hour for this stone to be removed. Thankfully she recovered. This little girl had been in pain for a long time.
It was time for these little girls to find their forever homes.
A nice couple came to look at these little girls. I told them all I knew about each of these little girls:
Amy and Samantha were both quiet and shy. Amy was contented to lay on my couch and just sleep and nibble at my fingers.Samatha liked to bark at my neighbor's dogs when she was on the outside for pass-time. Violet, was attached to me and didn't want to leave my side. Kiss, still recovering from her surgeries. Then, there was Carley, who spent most of her time in or on top of her carrier. Carley was afraid of storms and men. As I told them about her she would stick her little head out from under my end table to steal a peek at them. Needless to say she won the heart of this nice couple. They decided to adopt her and give her a forever home. I receive glowing reports on Carley she travels with her 2fur-brothers and is seeing the country. Carley has came a long way and is still making progress adjusting to a whole new world.
Amy and Samatha were both adopted together. These two little girls have been traveling and their mom is so proud of them. She knows it was meant for these little girls to be with her. Her home is full with them there with her. They are home at last and they know it. Violet and Kissy were the last to be adopted. These little girls were a bonded pair mother and daughter. I knew it would take a special couple to take them, for Kissy was older and had been through a lot. The appointment had been made and they were coming to see Violet. When they arrived I knew these people were special. They were so kind and gentle with the girls. Kissy liked them immediately and Violet warmed to them,also. This little girl always stayed at my side. They could see the bond between these little girls and decided to adopt both. This was heaven sent for me because I couldn't imagine them being apart. All 5 of my little girls went to safe and loving homes. I am thankful to our director for allowing me to be part of this rescue. It is because of people giving to rescue that allows us to get them the medical care that they need. I want to thank everyone personally for every donation, it is money well spent.
To the familles that adopted these little girls I can go to sleep at night knowing they are safe, loved and protected.
God Bless you all.
To see more pictures of the Girls, click on this link!The Girls from Bardstowns'Pictures
