Thursday, August 6, 2009

Lessons from a Pup




On the Wednesday Walk this week, we were accompanied by a four month old pup who has been to h*ll and back and is now being fostered by Karen, one of our regular walkers. This little girl was found by the side of the road in the north, bleeding and battered, a virtually paralyzed hind quarters, a nose so crooked that she could hardly breathe. A kind man found her, and took her to a vet where the severity of her injuries and her overall condition nearly led to her being euthanized.

But something about her encouraged them to do their very best to save her, and their extraordinary care and her wonderful spirit pulled her through. And once she was strong enough, she travelled with her rescuer through two provinces and a territory until he was able to transport her down south and leave her in Karen’s care.

She is an amazing pup. Watching her watch the other dogs and learn from them, watching her attend to her foster mom’s voice and happily receive her reward, watching her swim and run and explore and sit and jump and just LOVE LIFE ....she brought a smile to my face and warm fuzzies to my soul. We should all be so strong, so resilient, so smart, so forgiving, so happy.

Her foster mom calls her Alva. And she personifies all that is good in life. In a world that sometimes seems full of nasty, violent people, people with a sense of entitlement and little compassion for others, we need more Alvas. She has so much to teach us about how to live life to the fullest.

May you have a long, happy and full life, Alva.

Sometimes life's a balancing act


Ya gotta work as a team


Chase your dreams


Look before you leap


If you fall in, clamber back out



Take time to smell the earth



and time to reflect upon life



And lift your face to the sun and the sky, for it's a beautiful world

8 comments:

Anonymous said...

What an incredible little (big) girl. She truly deserves the very best life has to offer.

Ellen

Black Jack's Carol said...

A beautiful start to my day. I thank the man who found Alva, the people at the vet's office, and Karen for giving a down and almost out little pup the chance to live a good life. I am also most grateful to Alva for having the determination and strength to take advantage of all that human kindness. Oh, and you, for telling her story:)

shihtzustaff said...

Jean - can you email me at cithomas@shaw.ca I know someone who has a 10 by 10 shed available in MR and thought of Janice. Thanks!

Anonymous said...

If Alva (Goodfish) on the rescue site grabs your heart she is up for adoption through Gunwood Rescue
She really is a wonderful young pup and loves other dogs and especially her people.

Anonymous said...

The site where Goodfish is listed.
www.dogwoodrescue.petfinder.com
If you are wondering how she got the name Goodfish. That is the name of the reserve she was found on.

Else

Jean said...

Thanks Else - I meant to put that information in the post but somehow I deleted it when I was editing! LOL

Eunice said...

Goodfish is currently living in New Westminster. My husband and I are thrilled to have her as a member of our home.

She has made tons of friends during her walks on the Quay and she has been warmly welcomed by our friends and family.

Jean said...

Eunice, thank you so much for updating my readers. I was delighted to hear she had been adopted. She is a great, great dog and I wish you a long and happy life together.