The Circle of Life, in adopting Dalmatians has kept my life full of joy and
activities I could not have
experienced had it not been
for these lovely creatures placed at my feet throughout the years.
I treasure each one and will likely treasure many more – the good Lord willing.
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April
18, 1987 "Come
on Maddy - get your bowtie on! We
gotta get to the beach for your momma's birthday party." Aja (pronounced 'ASIA') was turning 11
that day and 15 of her friends would be there. We lived nearby and had to
cross the tracks often. They always
sat with me before crossing, as they did this day also. But the train, one hour behind schedule
was going exceptionally fast and surprised us all. The wind gust from . LADY AJA 10-18 ’76 TO 4-18 ‘87 The
shock to everyone was overwhelming. We
could only find her collar. After a
good cry by everyone, several came to my place and called all over southern Ca to find another. I needed to save another life immediately
so her passing would be softened. I have always done that and it works wonders.
The only dalmatian we could find who needed a home THAT DAY, was all the way
in Santa Barbara. 3 hours north. They
didn't want to adopt her out. She was
agressive and not expected to live. She had been beaten with a metal pipe and
suffered a crushed skull. She would
be blind in one eye and partially deaf for life - not to mention the
noticeable dent in her skull. Some guardian angel had paid the vet a bundle
to fix her up as best he could. I explained my situation and convinced them
to consider it.
Several
of us drove up there to see her and arrived at 930pm. In a special cage and
supporting IV feeding and a complete head cast, SHE HATED EVERYONE. Growls, snaps, rears up on hind legs and
the works. It was about her first
birthday and I would be her 7th home. NO wonder she hated everyone. She
certainly wasn't Aja, but I knew that and was really pleased with what I
saw. I'll take her. It
was three weeks later before I could really approach her with ease, although
she and Maddy got along fine. Then
she came around to love me and was never ever on a leash nor more than 3 feet from me for the next 15 years. Over
the years, she went to New York for our appearance on the Letterman
Show, to LA for LEEZA, ARSINIO HALL Hard Copy, and People
Magazine, featured in many newspapers and articles, parades, even several TV
commercials. . She adored anything
she did - climbing cliffs, jumping in the waves, sleeping next to me or
driving across country several summers with a musical youth group I support. She and Maddy sat comfortably as we
welcomed thousands of other Dalmatians who weren't quite as lucky, but were
coming to our house for a second chance of finding someone who would finally
love them, too. She never did stop
giving me hugs.
She
was suffering a little from poor rear hips in recent years, but once I would
stand her up, she would wag her tail and demand to accompany us to town or on
a walk. And did it with pride. Slow as she was at times, she was still 100
yard ahead of Noopy, my chubby beagle basset mix. I
knew the time would come before long and when it came this past Tuesday. It was obvious the minute I walked into
the room that it was now. It was
good bye. The one I'd dreaded for so very long. With kisses, tears and more
kisses, I knew she had ended up with a better life than most other dogs could
ever hope for, in spite of her beginnings. She would have been 16 in April
and with me for all but 12 months. I
have to say, the two little darling, angels I have received this week are
wonderfully mind numbing diversions with their energy and excitement - each
demanding love. Dainty at about 25# each and 1 yr old. Similar to Aja and Megan, too. They all began slowly and worked into the
incredible companions they became. I wouldn't get a little puppy for
anything. Too much time & trouble.
Trust me, these dog pound dogs are the way to go! I've been blessed with some of the best
dogs the planet has ever seen. None
of them needed a lick of training - just to be treated properly. They thank you 20 times a day. I
surely hope that she is sitting on the beach reminiscing with Maddy and
getting to know Aja, with a warm breeze and plenty of peanut butter to go
around, that she remembers all our good times, as I will, and by all means
it's her idea of Megan's Heaven. I
love you Megan. I think the two new
girls would, too. 1 YR female Deaf 1 YR female “Angel” “Punkin” (one eye poked out) |
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