Tuffy!
Several years ago, my father was diagnosed with Multiple Myeloma. It is a blood cancer. At the time he was given very little time to live. My mother has always been his most avid supporter. Between the two of them and considerable, fast research, he has beaten the statistics. In the early years, my mom completely devoted every waking moment to his care. Many times he truly needed moment to moment care. But as the disease was treated and lessons were learned, my dad truly needed to be more on his own again.
Old habits being hard to break, it was a little difficult for him to resume a more normal life and it was difficult for all of us to turn loose and give him the chance. Even more so for my mom. Dad is a very strong person and has weathered his illness plus other problems that would stop any normal person in their tracks. My mother has had to be equally strong to balance out their relationship.
Both of them needed a new focus though. My family has had pets all our lives, but Mom and Dad had lost their pets and because of the illnesses had not attempted to adopt any more.
I tend to peruse pet shelter sites off and on and had a surge in my activity for some reason. One day a charming photo appeared on a website for a shelter located nearby. The puppy was 1/2 rat terrier and 1/2 yorkie and so endearing. He was one of a litter of five. I didn't even consider going to see him, but I did inquire about him. I was sent an adoption form. I have more pets than I can take care of and my parents had made it clear they were unable to assume any more responsibilities. So, I didn't just run over and get a puppy. However, just before Christmas, I happened to be shopping in the area of the Shelter with my best friend. Off the wall, I mentioned that the Shelter was in the area and I wondered if that pup and his littermates were still there. Being the great friend she is, we drove immediately to the shelter to find all 8 oz. of Tuffy. He was all alone. His littermates had been adopted.
We took him home. My daughter thought we were going to keep him and was very disappointed when I suggested that he was my Mom and Dad's Christmas present. But she tucked him in her hoodie and we went to present him. What a surprise! They were truly stunned, but he won them over almost immediately. They love him dearly. He wins over almost everyone still.
He was so small, that Mom was afraid that some harm would come to him, so she created a bag to carry him in so he wouldn't get lost or stepped on. He is a constant companion. Dad taught him to play tug of war and fetch and to beg from the table. He is not a large dog, but he is an enormous personality. He goes shopping, out to eat, on road trips and to the bank for treats!
Tuffy has certainly been a blessing and has blessed us all in return. To know him is to love him.
Old habits being hard to break, it was a little difficult for him to resume a more normal life and it was difficult for all of us to turn loose and give him the chance. Even more so for my mom. Dad is a very strong person and has weathered his illness plus other problems that would stop any normal person in their tracks. My mother has had to be equally strong to balance out their relationship.
Both of them needed a new focus though. My family has had pets all our lives, but Mom and Dad had lost their pets and because of the illnesses had not attempted to adopt any more.
I tend to peruse pet shelter sites off and on and had a surge in my activity for some reason. One day a charming photo appeared on a website for a shelter located nearby. The puppy was 1/2 rat terrier and 1/2 yorkie and so endearing. He was one of a litter of five. I didn't even consider going to see him, but I did inquire about him. I was sent an adoption form. I have more pets than I can take care of and my parents had made it clear they were unable to assume any more responsibilities. So, I didn't just run over and get a puppy. However, just before Christmas, I happened to be shopping in the area of the Shelter with my best friend. Off the wall, I mentioned that the Shelter was in the area and I wondered if that pup and his littermates were still there. Being the great friend she is, we drove immediately to the shelter to find all 8 oz. of Tuffy. He was all alone. His littermates had been adopted.
We took him home. My daughter thought we were going to keep him and was very disappointed when I suggested that he was my Mom and Dad's Christmas present. But she tucked him in her hoodie and we went to present him. What a surprise! They were truly stunned, but he won them over almost immediately. They love him dearly. He wins over almost everyone still.
He was so small, that Mom was afraid that some harm would come to him, so she created a bag to carry him in so he wouldn't get lost or stepped on. He is a constant companion. Dad taught him to play tug of war and fetch and to beg from the table. He is not a large dog, but he is an enormous personality. He goes shopping, out to eat, on road trips and to the bank for treats!
Tuffy has certainly been a blessing and has blessed us all in return. To know him is to love him.
posted by dgolden at
1:59 PM
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