Zaras List

Jan. 28, 2008

The shelter called Tera. Three puppies had been dropped at the shelter. Would she take them? It was right after Christmas and everyone was overwhelmed and looking for a little break. I happened to look at my e-mail and saw Tera had asked if I would be willing to take in three pups. She just needed a temporary place. I had just done back to back litters and still had two puppies left from my last litter. I also had taken in a momma and kittens. I figured I could do anything for a few weeks if it helped save a lives. I sent a response I would help I just need to know how big momma dog was so I could figure out how big of a crate she would need for her and her pups and where I could put them since I already had the kittens in the spare room.

Sadly, there was not a momma dog she had been hit by a car and left behind three four week old pups. Okay a little bigger challenge but hey I had bottle fed 12 pups and these guys were probably old enough to eat on their own. Once again I could handle anything for a few weeks. So I got a crate ready for them and waited for the phone call. When Tera called she told me they are really small and they stink. Okay I thought how bad could it be.

In my almost four years of fostering I had never seen puppies in this condition. They stunk to high heaven. It was as if they had been living in their own urine and there was feces stuck on their fur. They were heartbreaking to look at. I cleaned them the best I could and gave them food and a warm place to sleep.

The only female in the group seemed to be having a hard time. I could not get her to eat our drink. She had a hard time walking and her back was arched. So we ended up at Dr Bart’s office. They did a wonderful job with her. The warmed up her cold body and gave her fluids. She perked up after being almost comatose upon arrival. There was hope. I took her home and waited. Within a day she was eating and drinking on her own.

As the days passed so did our love for this little survivor that had been so neglected. She played with her brothers and her kitten friends. She loved to sit on my foot and chew on my shoe. Her favorite thing to do was lay her little body on my chest and lick my face.

Then one day she was not as active. I was concerned but I thought she will be okay. The next day I knew something could be wrong. The next morning when I went to her room she was the only one who did not greet me. I knew we needed to get her back to Dr Bart.

As always they got her right in. After checking her out we discovered she had a really bad ear infection. So once again he gave her fluids. She was on antibiotics and ear drops. Since she was so little (13 oz) he need to wait until she was little stronger to look into her ear. Later that night Snap lost her ability to walk. I fought hard to get her though the night but in the end it was just too much for her little body. I will never know what caused the infection that took her life. If it could have been prevented had she been given a better start in life? What I do know is when she died she died a much loved little pup. She had three weeks of lots of love and care.

I was not prepared for how much her death would get to me. I have cried many tears and have a heavy heart. She was sweet little pup and we miss her.

We loved you Sweet Snap and miss you and your kisses.

Your foster family