Honoring the Life of Piper

Sweet Piper crossed the Rainbow Bridge on January 18th. We thank Piper’s mom, Laticia, for sharing her very moving and personal story:

“Today I lost one of my best friends. She was the type of friend who always listened and was right by my side whenever I needed her. She was a beautiful soul, who taught me so much about myself, life and what is means to really love.

Piper came into my life during one of the most difficult times I had ever been through. My husband of 4 years, whom I had been with for 9 ½ years had just moved out. Our relationship had been difficult for some time, still nothing prepared me for the swirl of conflicting emotions that enveloped me in those first few weeks and months. I had started fostering for Muttville the previous year and had taken in back to back dogs that required treatment for heartworm. It was difficult, but in the end well worth it-particularly when they were each placed in wonderful homes. Franklin, my ever faithful companion was my last foster before Piper. He was adopted the weekend after my husband moved out. While I was THRILLED with the amazing family that adopted him, I felt a little lost once he was gone. Friends suggested that it might be good to take a break from fostering -and they were well meaning. They thought I should deal with my personal grief over the dissolution of my marriage. They mentioned how difficult it might be to handle 3 dogs on their daily walks. I secretly think they wondered if my devotion to the dogs contributed to the difficulty in my relationship. I considered their advice…..until I saw Piper’s photo. Instantly I knew, she needed me. What I didn’t know is how much I really needed her.

I still remember when the animal control officer unlocked the door to the truck, revealing to me the sad little sack of bones I had only seen a grainy picture of. She was terrified. The ride had obviously been traumatic. As I loaded her into my car I thought to myself, this one might be the toughest so far. She was very closed off. As soon as I got her home, I gave her a long overdue bath. I spoke to her in soothing tones. I wanted her to know that I was going to take care of her and she was safe. She kept turning her head away from me in fear and I wondered to myself…..what has this beautiful girl been through that made her this way? Will she ever open her heart to me? As we neared the end of the bath, she finally turned her face to mine. She seemed calmer. I gently stroked the fur on her face and told her she now had a place to call home. Before I knew what I was doing, I gave a quick kiss on her snout, something that came naturally to me. As I pulled away, I instantly realized I should have been more respectful of her boundaries, worried I might have frightened her. Instead, she gave me an indication of what was to come. Piper tilted her head and kissed me back. I should have known then, she would always be mine.

In the weeks that followed, I watched Piper blossom into a carefree, loving, goofy, 12 year old puppy. She basked in any affection I gave. She romped in the yard with my dogs. She ate like a champ and quickly put weight on to her skinny little frame. The first time she crawled onto my bed and proceeded to do the happy dog roll for 20 straight minutes, I watched through tears of joy. She had blossomed. She never understood the concept of toys or balls, but loved to chase my dogs as they played. Then one day, she picked up a squeaky ball and realized the joy it could bring. It was literally one of the happiest moments I have ever witnessed. It was like she was learning for the first time how to be a dog. I was thrilled with her progress. The only thing she continued to struggle with was strangers. She clearly trusted me. She knew I was her person, but as I introduced her to new people, she was scared, timid and would often back into a corner and bark. I understood this instinct. I too found myself pulling away from people, even trusted friends, as I struggled with my divorce. The thought of opening myself up to anyone frightened me. I figured if the one person who knew me best in the world no longer loved me, how could I expect anyone else to? I continued to expose Piper to new people and soon enough, she realized there was nothing to be afraid of. These people often offered scratches, love and treats. Slowly, she began to approach strangers with more confidence. I watched and realized that this dog just might be the bravest little creature I had ever seen. She once had a family she loved and trusted. She did nothing wrong and they left her behind, with nothing but her confusion and will to survive. She had no reason to trust anyone. But she learned that by trusting me, she found a place to call home. I realized that if I could open myself up again, perhaps I could find my “home”.

Without Piper, I am not entirely sure I would be as happy as I am today. I met someone who gives me that feeling of home & safety. It took me time to open up. I did plenty of pushing him away and hiding, but I too learned that I needed to be brave and I just might find something amazing. I should have known what a wonderful person he was-the first time he met Piper, she did not bark or run away. She simply walked over and greeted him, like he had always been there.

Now that I am without her I feel an overwhelming grief, but there is something even more powerful left….there is gratitude. Gratitude to a dog who taught me to trust, to fully love and to realize it was okay to start over again. I know for certain that the year Piper spent with me was the greatest year of her life. I also know as difficult as it has been for me, it will undoubtedly be one of the best years of mine. I fell in love three times this year. Once with a dog. Once with myself. And once with the kindest man I have ever met. It is only fitting that he was the one to let me know Piper had gone in her sleep and he was the one to comfort me as the sadness took over. He knows how much she meant to me and even more importantly, he was just as taken by her. She was able to go in the most beautiful way, curled up in the corner she always loved to sleep in. My heart, of course, is broken, but I am grateful she is free from the illness & pain she had struggled with.

When I close my eyes, I see her wrunkly (a word I invented to describe her wrinkled face) snout, her bright eyes and her gummy smile. She was a beautiful soul, who taught me so much in our time together. I will be forever grateful to her."

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mariem3 | 02.03.12 | 2 comments

Success Story "Cupcake"

Thanks to Muttville mom Josie for sharing the story of Cupcake:

You wouldn’t know by looking at this itty, bitty poof ball of a girl dog the immense character and sweetness she has within. Everyday she shares her heart and silly ways with us and we LOVE it! Although she had little hair on her tail and bald spots on her tiny body when we first met, she’s rockin’ a full coat of blonde fur these days that her lovely, white eyelashes compliment so beautifully. This little girl brings us so much happiness simply by being who she is. Her Dad calls her Marilyn Monroe when she follows him around batting her loving, soulful eyes at him when she wants him to take her for a walk. It’s so adorable how she communicates with us. When she’s decided it’s time to go somewhere or sees me grab the iPod, she dances to the front door singing along the way with her front paws bouncing up-n-down, so excited. We’re crazy in love with Miss Cupcake, a total sweetheart whose exterior disguises the enormity of what she’s about on the inside.

I often think of our first few meetings at Muttville. She seemed content to be by herself, curled up and away from the action. Sherri told me she wants for nothing and likes to go out, but is so teeny and quiet it’s easy to miss her since she blended in so well with the comfy bedding she enjoyed snoozing away in. Although she has her fave spots, she still likes to move about and arrange her blankets just so to catch a nap.

Like all the other deserving souls Muttville has saved, her story was compelling; all 4 pounds of her was found dragging a cantaloupe sized hernia around, most of her teeth needed to be removed, there were open areas of skin on her body, one of her legs is jacked up from something that happened in her previous life…And yet, here she is one ear up, one flopped down lookin’ so darn cute, enhancing our lives beyond measure. She doesn’t carry even a hint of a grudge for the neglect she endured. We are so grateful to Sherri for seeing that Cupcake was ready for her new beginning.

It’s never too late for a new beginning!

If you adopted a Muttville dog, we would love to feature you in an upcoming ‘Success Story’. Please contact info@muttville.org with the Subject line ‘Success Story’

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mariem3 | 02.01.12 | 3 comments

Adopted Mutts of the Week: January 23 - January 29

Thanks to the efforts of you – our foster parents, volunteers and supporters – here are this past week’s lucky Muttville seniors who found forever homes:

Lima
Charleston
Mona
Henry
Lil Bear
Fluffy

Many thanks to all our volunteers and visitors who came to see us for the final weekend at our Pup Up Adopt Shop. Our first ever store may be closing, but don’t worry! Muttville will be announcing plans for its new official location in San Francisco. Stay tuned!

Every dog adopted means another life we can save. There’s a perfect senior waiting for you! Click here to see all of our mutts.

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mariem3 | 01.30.12 | 0 comments

Operation Chow Babies + Lil "Sumo" Bear

Thanks to animal rescue volunteers Robert and Paula in Southern CA who flew these three seniors to Muttville!

Chin & Chow, and Lil Bear arrived safely to Muttville. Their first plane ride! What a way to start their new life!

We are so grateful to animal advocates like Robert and Paula. Thanks to their generosity and passion to save animals, these 3 lovely seniors made it to Muttville, and they will find new happy beginnings in the San Francisco Bay Area.

Chin & Chow need foster homes ASAP! If you are interested in fostering these two lovely seniors, please get in touch with Muttville! Email info@muttville.org

It’s never too late for a new beginning! Be sure to check out Chin & Chow and Lil Bear profiles to read more about them!

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mariem3 | 01.20.12 | 0 comments

Bumper Went on Vacation in Style!

Here is a story that Bumper wrote himself about his really fun vacation with Muttville volunteer Annie and her husband:

I was away from Muttville on a four-day, four-night stay at hotel Fuji and Samurai in San Francisco for the New Year’s holiday. At this hotel, they called me The Little King and Udon. These people understood my disability and made me as comfortable as possible. They placed shoe boxes to prevent me from bumping into a wall or furniture, and it didn’t take me long to learn my way around but I was not perfect. I made a fool of myself by rolling like crazy on their carpet and hopping on a bed of overgrown ivy and dry leaves; it was so much fun.

I got to go to GGP everyday in my limo (a stroller) and visited Stow Lake, Conservatory of Flowers, DeYoung Museum, Academy of Sciences; and the Rose, Japanese Tea and Botanic Gardens. When I needed to stretch my legs I stood up and put my paws on the front of the limo. With all the open spaces and new smells at the park, I pretty much sniffed and walked myself to China; and I got to be mischievous like any other normal dog. I sunbathed in the most famous park in the world, either in a meadow sandwiched between the Museum and Academy of Sciences, or in front of the Conservatory of Flowers. I met the girl of my dreams; my limo driver told me she was very pretty in a light blue dress, and she even gave me a kiss on the forehead. Oh! One more thing – I waited patiently most of the time for my limo driver to buy her lunch from a food truck, and then we sat down on a bench with the Museum and the Academy of Sciences in view. Could life be better? I didn’t eat any of her lunch: “veggie” is not my thing. Afterwards I went to a pet supply store to shop for my own food, and refused to stay in the arms of my limo driver: I was the one eating, so gotta choose my own dinner! Also, I went window shopping and some of the stores welcomed me inside; at one store I got treats from the store owner. I accompanied my hotel people to the grocery store, and my limo driver and I stayed outside on a bench and I heard the world go by. I made friends with locals and internationals, doggie friends, toddlers and grandpas at the park, on the streets and inside and outside the stores. After dinner, I relaxed between them while they watched a movie or TV. One of the nights I got to sleep on the man’s chest – it was warm. The man whispered to his wife. ‘This might be bonding for him, but to me this is relaxation for the mind and soul.’

On New Year ’s Day when we got back from the park, I smelled something in the yard which was not the same species as me, and I went bananas. Picture me as a six month-old puppy, running with full speed to the source, tail wagging, a smiling face and the excited sounds that you usually hear from a dog. That was really fun. One day at the park, we drove to an art fair; she enjoyed her art and I napped away in my limo.

To tell you the truth, I am not much needier than the average Fido: my only fault is I need someone to let me out to relieve myself every couple of hours. I do remind myself that I need to go to the door, and I was very good at it during my vacation. I can walk myself if you build me an enclosure in the yard with something soft to cover the poles, so you don’t need to be constantly by my side; just check on me regularly. I do take breaks or naps between my journeys. My dream home is somewhere in the country where I can smell different animals and chase them: that’s right I chase them within the enclosure. And I am happily content if I live in the city; just take me with you wherever you go. I cause almost no trouble except when I smell food; then I don’t like to stay in your arms or in my limo. Please, don’t feel sorry, but be happy for me that I want to live and enjoy life. If you enjoy meeting new people and making friends, I am your best ambassador. If you want to give me a forever home, please be patient and love me beyond my disability, and in return, I will love you to eternity…….

Thanks Bumper! He also wants us to remind his readers that he is still looking for his forever home! He said, if you like my story, you’ll also like my excellent profile. (I didn’t write it, but I like it alot!)

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mariem3 | 01.18.12 | 1 comment