Happy Endings - Sally

Nine years ago, in 1993 our 18-month pug Gertie was taken from us. We looked everywhere, enlisted neighborhood friends, children, a psychic and even a man who used a divining rod to find lost pets. All of this was to no avail. It was quite frankly the worst months of our lives. We were simply heartsick.

At that time, the Pasadena Humane Society called us and said they thought they might have our Gertie. Scott and I rushed home from work separately and dashed into the shelter. It was not Gertie. Gertie was 18 months old and very small. This girl was a bit bigger and MUCH MUCH older.

There she was standing in her kennel, shaking from fear and cold. Her body was almost completely hairless from fleas and infection. Her eyes were clouded and infected and she really did not respond to sound, so I assume she had hearing problems. This poor baby was a wreck! She had a very verbose German shepherd on one side of her and a very angry Dobie on the other side. It was pouring rain. My heart was breaking for her. All the emotions from months of looking for my Gertie bubbled up from deep inside. I pulled aside a shelter worker and BEGGED him to get Sally a blanket. It was so cold and wet out and she was not well. Not only did he get her a blanket, he transferred her inside to the Cat Room. Hooray!

Scott and I discussed her that night. He too had gone to see her. His heart was broken for her too. But we were still in deep grief for our Gertie. We couldn't take on another dog, could we? We had not given up the search for our Gertie yet. It seemed too soon. We called Little Angels Pug Rescue and informed Sherry about Sally. Sherry picked her right up and took her to the vet.

About a week later, Sherry called and gave us an update on Sally. She had just been picked up from the vet and was doing SO well! She had been treated for the skin disorders and various infections and was feeling much better. She acted like a different dog! Sherry wondered as her foster homes were filled to capacity, if we would foster Sally until she found a good home. We said yes. Sally arrived and was the perfect little lady. Have you ever really looked into the eyes of an older dog, one that needed help? The effect is powerful. Her gratitude was palpable. She was polite and sweet like a well-mannered older woman. (She even "asked permission" to get on the sofa.) She seemed to understand how much better her life was. We just adored her.

Two weeks into our fostering Sally, a couple came over to see if they wanted to adopt her. My heart sank. It had only been a short time, but we were already in love with Sally. The couple played with her and finally said, "Yes. We would love to take her home." At which I promptly burst into tears and ran into the house. I couldn't lose TWO sweet pugs in this short of time! Scott followed me in and said, "You want to keep her, don't you?" All I could get out was a nod through my tears. Sherry was so lovely about it. She said to the new couple "We are very sorry, but we have to give first priority to the foster family." Sally had a forever family. US! (The couple happily adopted another pug a few days later.)

That night, Scott and I looked into her eyes and said, "If we can give her one good week, one good month or Heaven help us, one good year-that's okay with us. She deserves to know a good life before she passes." That was almost ten years ago.

Sally is now over twenty years old. Her sight is nearly gone, her spine is no longer straight, her gait a bit wobbly, and has a daily geriatric medication routine that rivals any 96 year old. But she is still doing well, still happy and she still wags her tail at the sound of our voices. We would not change a thing! Sally's spirit shines right through those eyes! (Our vet is so amazed by her; he says, "She is a wonder! " A true medical marvel to him and his colleagues.)

If one can live on love, Sally truly has. But she has given so much more than we could ever give her. Sometimes, we wonder what kind of life she must have had all those years ago. And we wonder how much less of a life we would have had without her. She deserves dignity and joy like anyone who has lived so long and asked for so little. Scott has been known to call her "Queen Mum" for her ability to remain dignified and happy at such and advanced age. As one of her loyal subjects, I must agree!

Sally and Little Angels Pug Rescue changed our lives. Open your heart to an older Pug. They have so many wonderful benefits. They are little undiscovered gems waiting to be loved. You can turn their life around. In return, your life is never the same. Each of us has a right to a good life. Why not give an older pug what might be their only time to reign?

Epilogue: This story was written on June 20, 2002, as well as beginning a website for Sally. On Sunday June 23, 2002 Sally, the light of our lives passed on very suddenly. A plentitude of tears fill our house now. We miss Sally with every fiber of our being. We are thinking of setting up a memorial fund in Sally's name with Little Angels Pug Rescue, a fund that helps the older pugs that are harder to place because of their age. You may email us for more details at: barbara@screamteam.com.