December 12 2015
That is the day we got to meet this little man in person for the first time. After an anxious 4 and a half hour drive we arrived at our destination Paws for Life animal rescue(Edmonton, Alberta). We had an apointment for 12 pm if I remember correctly, and sitting in the car listening to all the dogs inside the shelter was driving our Min-Pin Tuukka crazy!
Our contact arrived and the three of us began the short walk to the big life change we were about to receive. After exchanging pleasantries and the usual remarks of how adorable our Pup was we were taken to a “meeting room”. It was very large with a concrete floor, and basically empty other than a few chairs. Then the door opened and little 5lb, 8yr old Teather was placed on the floor.
He immediately ran across the room, straight to my wife, little nub wagging and jumped in her lap. She picked him up and he cuddled right in. We then of course had to have the little man meet tuukka, and they never had a problem…though it was clear who was boss immediately as little 5lb Chipin Teather, growled and pushed Tuukka to show him who was boss.
We stayed for all of 40 minutes, as we left the building, all of the workers and volunteers gathered in the office. In his short time there he had made quite an impression on all these people and the tears were flowing freely. You see, little 5lb 8 year old Teather had been rescued from a breeder (maybe puppymill, we’re not sure) he was under weight, obviously had not been to the vet very often and showed signs of neglect. when his usefulness was up he was surrendered and this hurts us the most as he is so loving. The Angels at Paws for Life rescue and their partners got him taken care of, he had 33 teeth removed (he still has a few and they work really good! haha) was given all his shots and placed in a caring foster home.
Fast forward to us leaving again, the crying eyes and well wishes behind us, we went straight to a pet store, time for all new toys, treats, clothes and dishes! After a short stop we made a dash for the highway, it’s winter and mild though it is, we don’t want to chance hitting a snow storm or icy conditions.
It took us 5 hours to get home, my wife sat in the back of the car to spend more time with our new fur baby. both pups would alternate climbing into the front with me while I drove. We stopped often to allow the boys to use the bathroom, but little teather just wouldn’t go.
Immediately upon walking in the door, he walks in the kitchen and pees on the floor!
That was the beginning, he was supposed to be house trained, but like most rescues, you have no idea what they have been through. he would sometimes snap at our face or hand when he got startled, sometimes he would have freak outs where he would cry even if you didn’t touch him…he was scared, he obviously had been through a lot. but even with all the accidents and freak outs and nips, we were determined not to give up on him, we knew what we were getting into (kind of) and we were solid in our resolve to make sure all the last year’s of this boys life were filled with love, patience and kindness.
We’re fast approaching the one year mark, and as I type this, our little Teather is 7lbs and asleep on his bed in front of the fireplace. He hasn’t had a freak out in 3 months, if he starts to nip at us he catches himself and gives a lick instead (even this rarely happens now) He is using his pee pads very well, he gets excited when he uses them and spins in circles to tell us. He still has accidents still but nothing like when he first came home. Tuukka had been very standoffish but by June even he was coming along, he loves to chase Teather and play with him, he even gives little Teather kisses when asked now (sometimes without being asked!)
All in all this tiny little being full of love, is in his forever home. He loves to cuddle…like his life is cuddles, that’s what he lives for. I can’t comprehend how someone could ever be mean to him or not love him and want to keep him forever.
This has been his story of coming home, eventually I will tell of how he has changed our lives and made us even happier.
This is Tuukka, his 12lb 4yr old big brother and together they have brought more joy and love than anything we could have hoped for
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Little man! Teather
Cuddles by the fireplace
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MadWorld 