Dog Walker Rescue: Maggie's Story

Maggie's Story -

The Little Pom Formerly Known As "Bugs"

This is a heartwarming story about a rescue of a senior Pomeranian. Back in July 2012, my daughter, Shereen, and I were volunteering at the shelter, when two little Poms came in. These scared, little girls were laying in the back of the kennel, clinging to each other, on their cot. They looked so small and helpless in that big kennel. At first glance, I shook my head and thought, "At least they have each other. Yeah, but for how long?" I called Shereen away from the cat room to come see them. Their kennel cards noted that their names were Bugs and Biscuit - two very silly and unfitting names for these dogs, I thought. These poor babies were a mess, smelly, with their coats all dirty and matted.
Sheen and I decided to take them out for a walk. They looked up at us anxiously as we entered their kennel. We talked to them soothingly, as we lowered ourselves down on our knees, to persuade them that they had nothing to fear from us. Prepared to walk them, we had leads in our hands but decided to carry them out instead. Biscuit was a young blonde Pom who felt comfortable right away, she tried to lick Shereen before we even got out the door. Bugs was apprehensive, and she looked away when I talked to her. When we attempted to put them down to walk, Biscuit begged to be picked up again, and Bugs just stood in one spot, looking around nervously. We took this opportunity to sit down, on the cement steps, to hold them in our laps and look them over. They were both in desperate need of grooming - their fur was matted and they were covered in burrs! Sheen and I began tugging at their fur, as gently as possible, to pull out the burrs. They sat there, patiently for almost forty minutes, while we tried to get out every last one. There were even burrs in the pads of their paws, no wonder they didn't want to go for a walk!

When we were leaving the shelter that day we just wanted to take these girls with us. Shereen saw how worried I was, and said, what she often says, "Don't worry Mom, the little ones always go first. You know that people always want the little dogs." I told her that my first thought was that these girls needed to stay together, but my biggest worry was that the younger one would be adopted and the older one would be left behind. Bugs' age was listed as 8-9 years old, and she seemed lethargic and sad, while Biscuit,age 4-5, was energetic, endearing, and seemed very adoptable. I thought maybe with grooming, someone could see past the matted fur and want these dogs. As we headed out the door, I started making calls on my cell to family members, to tell them about these little Poms.

Biscuit and Bugs getting some TLC
from Shereen at the shelter

I reached my Mom first and described the dogs to her. I asked her if she knew anyone who would want the Poms. My parents have a definite "weak spot" for these small dogs and other people are always admiring their dogs. They have Poms, Yorkies and and a Spitz. So, I thought, maybe one of their admirers would be interested in these little girls. Shereen and I went home, determined to find homes for these dogs. Little did I know, immediately after hanging up the phone, my parents drove to the shelter to have a look at these girls. When we talked later, Mom said that she and my Dad were going to do all they could to help find someone to adopt these dogs.
We returned to the shelter every few days to walk, and give TLC time to all the dogs. I always go to check the kennels of the ones that I am most worried about first. Yes, there those Poms were, both still there, still pulling at my heart strings. The girls were always happy to see us and ready to be picked up and carried outside for a "walk". Their walks involved cuddling and getting licked by Biscuit and holding and reassuring Bugs in our laps. We would have brushed them, but their hair was so matted we didn't want to cause them pain. We brought our own soft treats for small dogs. Biscuit always ate these hungrily, while Bugs looked sad, and turned her head away. I picked the treats up, held them in my hand, and then I broke them down into smaller pieces for her, and then she would gingerly try to eat them. Her eyes looked dull, she looked sad and worse, painful.
After each visit, I went to my parent's house, to talk about the shelter animals. We talked about the Poms and our concerns for the Bug's health. Those girls had been there for nearly two weeks, and still, nobody seemed interested enough to adopt. The staff had told me that some people had looked at Biscuit and nobody had seemed interested in Bugs. My fears for them were being confirmed! Typically, when dogs are not pleasant in appearance, and don't seem engaging, then they are not really adoptable.
My Mom and Dad said that they would take them both of them if they could. I told them that I didn't want them to have to care for one more dog, let alone two. I was thinking that my son and his girlfriend could take them if I paid for the fees, vet care, and grooming. A few days later, my parents told me that they wanted to take the dogs in to foster them, if they were still there by the end of the week. We checked the shelter all week and both dogs were still there. On Friday, they decided to go get those girls! When they arrived a nice family, with young children, was in the process of adopting Biscuit. So, of course, my parents adopted Bugs!
The first thing that they did was take her home, bathe her and cut the mats out of her hair. My Mom immediately called the groomer and made an appointment for the next day. She called me, when she had finished cleaning Bugs up, to tell me how she already looked better, but she was worried about how she was so thin. A few days later, my Dad had shown me just how thin. She could effortlessly walk through the slats of a sliding baby gate that he had made to keep the dogs in one area. They had tried calling her Bugs, and noticed how she didn't respond, maybe she didn't even know her name. Mom and Dad mulled over a list of names that would seem fitting for her, and that would fit in with the other dogs in the family. They decided on Maggie, and, I think, that Maggie decided on them. She was trusting these kind people, who talked softly, handled her gently while bathing and grooming her, and carefully introducing her to the rest of her canine family.
Maggie was everyone's new family project. Whenever any of our family members called, or came over, they would check on Maggie's progress. After going to the groomer, she needed to go to the vet. Dr. Robinson, at Green Street Veterinary Clinic, examined her and discovered the reason for her being so thin and looking painful. Maggie was malnourished and couldn't eat properly because her gums were inflamed, and she desperately needed her teeth cleaned. Appointments were set and Maggie began receiving treatment. She was on her way to becoming a healthier and happier dog.
Now, I realize just how happy Maggie is whenever I come to visit. I see her eyes light up whenever my Dad talks to her and feeds her. I see how Maggie follows my Mom, wherever she goes, with her head tilted up, not taking her eyes off of her. I see her outside, trotting along, beside her canine brothers and sisters. I see her learning to trust these people who care for her, and love her, just like she deserves to be cared for, and loved.

She now has a forever family that will love her always!