They Named Me Hope
Today I got a new name, maybe my first name as I can't remember anyone calling me by a name before....my name is Hope.
My entire life has been pain and struggle. I am just 6 or 7 months old, but I have been infested with Demodex mange my entire life. There are just a few patches of hair and the rest of my skin is black and thick like an elephant's skin with open sores and crusts which ooze pus. The shelter thought I was a black pug because my skin was so blackened with illness, but really I'm fawn. I am tiny, my growth stunted with malnutrition. My bones jut out and my belly is swollen and bloated, like a starving Ethiopian child on TV. I can only walk a step or two before I have to stop and rest.
Yesterday I was dumped at the shelter in Riverside, CA. It looked as though it would be the last home I would have in my short life. I was set to be euthanized Friday as soon as my stray hold was up. But word of my plight spread and today I was taken from my kennel, gently wrapped in a towel and handed to a lady. She didn't say how ugly I was or how disgusting i smelled, she held me and told me I was beautiful and everything would be all right from now on.
She put me in her car with another young pug named Olivia who had also come from a shelter today. She had Demodex too, but just a little patch on her cheek. I was offered bites of a bacon cheeseburger and I gratefully accepted them and ate half of it on the ride home. The rest of the time I slept and listened to the music and the lady tlking. She told me my name was Hope. I like that name. I pricked up my ears for her.
She tried to pet me, but there was no place on my body that wasn't sore. But I was happy to be touched....everyone has been too afraid to touch me for a long time. I do look and smell kind of gross. Once we got to the vet. She held me and I cuddled in deep into her arms. Olivia shivered with fear at the vets office, but I was brave, I just cuddled into the woman's arms. First they took Olivia back, she danced on light feet and greeted everyone she met. Then it was my turn. Just as the tech reached for me, I stuck my nose up and gave the lady a little kiss on her face, just to tell her thank you and let her know that I knew everything would be okay.
Tonight I'm going to my new foster home and when I'm all better I hope to have a family of my own.
My spirit, trusting nature and my gentleness shine in my liquid brown eyes. I will beat this and get better and I will be a loved dog for the rest of my life. This is my message of Hope.
If you would like to donate to my care, the people who care for me here would be so grateful. They will keep you updated on my condition.
Pug Rescue of San Diego
Thank you for gracing the Roadster with Hope today, little one. Good luck on your journey. Life has smiled on you today. I'm so proud to have been able to save you.
Take care,
Lisa
In a gentle way, you can shake the world.
- Mohandas Gandhi
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Village Royalty
Sally...Mom to Huron, Badger, Raven, Willow, Mr. Boots, Angel, Bugsy, Erie and Nana to Gauge the Pug in Beagle fur.
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