Donated to Pugsgiving, 2004
Kasi had just been to the groomer thanks to PROof
Kasia was never far away from me, her forever Mom.
She'd had a tough life as a puppy mill dog.
The miracle of India’s freedom is the story of Mahatma Gandhi’s life, for he, more than any other was the architect of this miracle. His grateful countrymen call him the Father of the Nation. But Gandhi, it is said, was just an ordinary person like most of us who was moved by deep conviction of “the oneness of all that lives.”
When I painted my canvas for Pugsgiving, an annual event to raise funds to aid pug dogs in need, Gandhi’s quote was its inspiration: The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated.
Always an animal lover, it was natural that I would become involved in Pug Rescue. My son had been active in the organization and I loved his pug, Otis. My first adoptee was a 12-year-old senior guy found wandering deaf and near blind beside an interstate highway in Pasco County. His rescuers saved him from traffic, infections, parasites, anemia and starvation. It was Fat Tuesday so they named him Mardi Gras! Pugs are like chips – you can’t have just one. Lulu followed. A lovely but obese female, Lulu had been bred many times and suffered potentially fatal bladder and kidney infections. I needed to nurse her back to health and help her feel safe and loved since she had been shuffled from home to home. Lulu settled in and Mardi Gras had a companion. Since I was adjusting so well to my new role as rescue Mom, Jan Whitlow, then President and co-founder (with the late Sue Peterson) of PROof asked if I’d be willing to accept another challenge, fostering Katrina.
Katrina was surrendered to Pug Rescue when she was seven years old. Her owners could no longer take care of her. A bladder infection was running rampant in her delicate system, causing her to urinate in their home. Katrina’s body had taken the toll from being bred so many times. Her nails were unspeakably long. She reeked of an untreated skin and yeast infection that had infected her ears and eyes. Her vision was impaired and her ears were almost closed. They were black, cracked and as tough as elephant’s skin. She had almost a dozen tumors on her tiny body and had painful rub marks on her elbows from spending too much time in too small a crate. Doctors found blood in her urine. An x-ray showed two large bladder stones. During surgery that followed, the veterinarian removed eight large skin tags from her body. All were found to be active cancerous mass cell tumors.
I read Katrina’s history on the PROof website before she came to my home and heart. It said, “During Katrina’s first week in rescue her vet bills already exceeded $1,600.00. We feel that she is not adoptable. We do plan on loving and caring for her in a nurturing foster home for all her days. She will not stay crated. Katrina will run free, know love and thrive at the touch of nurturing human hands.” I cried a million tears.
When I went to the veterinarian’s office to pick up this little dog, she was wrapped in a thick, warm blanket. Despite being sleepy from pain medication, she looked up at me with huge brown eyes, tail wagging from under the blanket. That is how I met this sweet tiny girl.
Four months after Katrina’s rescue I entered this on the PROof website:
Wonderful little Katrina is never more than a few inches away from me. She craves affection and human touch. If she is not in someone’s arms, Lulu or Mardi Gras is cuddled up next to her.
When she came into my home I had concerns that stronger, more aggressive Lulu might not accept Katrina. I watched them carefully. The most amazing thing happened! My tough, arrogant alpha girl Lulu became a sweet nurturing “sister” to Katrina.
Katrina has that effect on people as well. Her big sweet eyes invite love into her world. She is a delightful little dog. I often reflect on how this angel came into my life. She was so very sick, so poorly treated that Katrina easily could have been “put to sleep.” Katrina would have quietly passed away and I’d have never known her sweet love, held her warm little body in my arms, nor laughed as she found her assertiveness. My heart aches when I think of other animals that aren’t rescued.
Katrina may live longer than expected or she may succumb, prematurely, to cancer. At this time she is happy, spunky and adored. Her care is not cheap, however. She is monitored for cancer cells in the blood. She needs eye care three times a day, baths several times a week. She will always eat a special food for bladder and kidney stone prevention, since she is a victim of over breeding. Her little feet will remain contorted and imprinted by the crate that was her home for years. She will NEVER be hit, shouted at, nor neglected in any way. She runs freely throughout this house, sleeps on my bed, sheds her fur all over my couch, and forces me to carry a lint remover when I go out in public. I treasure every minute with Katrina, every hair she sheds. If you’ve ever loved a dog, you know what I mean. Thanks to PROof and the contributions of generous folks, Katrina and so many other pugs like her are being given a second chance.
There are rescue groups for most breeds of dogs and other animals. Please consider this option if you are looking to adopt a loving, appreciative animal companion. If you prefer to help by virtual fostering rather than taking on the day to day care of a pet, monetary contributions will help PROof foot the bills until permanent homes are found.
PROof’s website is www.pugrescueofflorida.org
The Surrender Line is (321) 948-8932. PROof will return all calls for pugs in jeopardy and in need of rescue. If there is no answer at the time, please leave a message and you will be contacted within 24 hours.
Email: surrender@pugrescueofflorida.org
Toll-free Fax: 1-888-255-4971
Mailing Address:
Pug Rescue of Florida
P.O. Box 316
Windermere, FL 34786
PostScript:
Katrina’s real name was Kasia. I was asked to protect the previous owners by changing her name. It’s been long enough now to drop the alias! Kasia passed away at 18 this past Spring of 2011. In other words, she lived a heck of a lot longer than the year or two predicted. And it was a quality life! She enjoyed lots of affection in her forever home until the very end. She loved life in that wonderful pug way. I miss her very much and feel her spirit in my heart each day.
Jeanne Marie Wolfe, MS Ed is an E-RYT 500 Yoga Alliance yoga instructor and designer/artist/writer who lives in Largo, Florida. You may reach her at jeanne@jwolfedesign.com or (727) 483-0166.
