I want to give give you a heads-up…this is a not a card related post. There are no fancy pictures, but instead just narrative. I am hoping by draining the words from my body, I will also drain the emotion from my soul. I made a difference today in the life of a poor, abused Boxer puppy…
I received a call from my vet yesterday asking if I knew of any Boxer rescues. A five month old puppy had been brought in with a broken hip. This was not the type of break that occurs from playing, but rather the type that occurs from abuse. My vet could not find it within her heart to put the puppy to sleep, like the owner had requested. Instead, she had the puppy signed over to the clinic, and then she called me. Would I be able to use my contacts in the Boxer world to get the special help this puppy girl needed? You bet I could!!!
I immediately contacted my friends associated with boxer rescue. In less than an hour, X-rays had been faxed to an orthopedic specialist; arrangements had been made for her surgery Wednesday morning in Omaha; and a foster family was lined up for her post-surgery rehabilitation and training. One obstacle remained…get her to Omaha. I volunteered to take this puppy on the first leg of her journey to a new life…
The moment I laid eyes on her, I fell in love. She hobbled over on three legs to greet me. With the exuberance of an adorable Boxer puppy, this malnourished little girl tried her best with a broken hip to wiggle that Boxer butt. As I carefully lifted her frail little body into the crate in the back of my van, I vowed to her that from this day forward, life would be different for her. Gentle touches and caresses would replace harsh and heavy hands. Soft words would replace angry shouts. She would know the love of a family, not the violence of an ugly heart. She would never again feel the pangs of an empty tummy, or the icy cold of a winter’s night. She would learn to play with toys. She would learn to run on three legs. (Yes, there is probably bone death, and an amputation is probably necessary.) She would learn people can be trusted. And I prayed she would forget the abuses she had endured…
“I will call you Faith,” I told her. And we proceeded on our trip. I cried when I left Faith behind. I cried on the long drive home. I cried for the loss of sweet puppy innocence. I cried because of all she had endured. I cried because at the end of our journey, she blessed me with a lick under my chin…a thank you from a grateful girl. And I cried because many years ago, on February 11th, 2000, I saved another brindle Boxer girl from a life of abuse, one who looked so much like Faith. Missy the Boxer, went on to live with us for 10 years, leaving us on February 4, 2010. So many memories came flooding back.
Faith will go on to live a wonderful life. She will be loved and spoiled, and she will have a forever family of her own who will adore her…the boxer rescue group will make sure of it. On the way home, I saw a road sign that said, “New Life”. Faith, here is to your “new life”! I am so happy I was able to help make it possible…
