Can you imagine a puppy traveling from May, Oklahoma to Yorktown Heights, New York, and this same puppy, parading on the Polo Fields of Greenwich, Connecticut?!! Can you believe a one year old puppy, near death from poor vet practice, and this same puppy survives to bring "healing smiles" to so many people? AKC papers indicate that our puppy, "Scruffy" was born on 4/29/96 in May, Oklahoma. ... http://www.squidoo.com/scruffy Sat, 26 Jul 2008 20:22:02 -0600 FeedCreator 1.7.2 Sat, 19 Jul 2008 20:56:00 -0600 http://www.squidoo.com/scruffy Can you imagine a puppy traveling from May, Oklahoma to Yorktown Heights, New York, and this same puppy, parading on the Polo Fields of Greenwich, Connecticut?!! Can you believe a one year old puppy, near death from poor vet practice, and this same puppy survives to bring "healing smiles" to so many people? AKC papers indicate that our puppy, "Scruffy" was born on 4/29/96 in May, Oklahoma. I tried unsuccessfully to contact the Oklahoma breeder. Then I spoke to a May, Oklahoma Deputy Sheriff, and she said, "Scruff" most likely came from a "puppy mill." If the breeder could not sell her puppies, she'd be seen giving them away outside a local convenience store. Can you imagine these puppy babies taken away from their home, isolated in a crate or box and shipped from city to city? Can you understand a social being, cut off from other creatures, and the puppies wanting to be held and loved? As an example of the horror of pet shipping, my friend, Laura, worked as a groomer in a pet store chain. One hot August day, Laura went out the pet store back door on her break. Laura noticed a large truck parked nearby and she heard small sounds coming from this truck. Laura climbed inside this truck to investigate. Horrified, Laura found the truck lined with small drawer type boxes, with puppies in each drawer. These puppies had no air conditioning, no food or water! Laura immediately quit the pet store. I found an adorable white cottenball puppy in a mall store. (I call her a "rescue dog" ) I named her "Weber's Scruffy Critter" or "Scruff." Sadly, the vet who spayed Scruff gave her too much anesthesia, which put Scruff into a coma. When Scruff awoke, she was blind and couldn't walk, due to brain swelling. A vet neurologist saved Scruff's life. The recovery was slow, but Scruff willed herself well. Several years later, through the Good Dog Foundation, Scruff and I were certified as an Animal Assisted Therapy Team. Scruff began to help humans heal and feel. Also, Scruff "gives back" with local charity events, ie: Mid-Hudson Animal Aid, "Strut Your Mutt" for the Putnam Humane Society (a human/animal walk-a- thon, New Canaan Society for the Arts-"Unleashed" event benefiting animal rescue, Silver Hill Hospital benefit at U.S. Gold Cup Polo match, etc. Suddenly, December 2003, Scruff became totally paralyzed on her left side. A vet speculated that Scruff had a blood clot to her spine. A spinal tap, spinal xrays and a milagram were all negative. By coincidence, Scruff was given a contoversial Pro-Heart vaccine, which has been linked to paralysis and death in dogs. When Scruff was released to us, still paralyzed, the vet assistant said, "Scruff is lucky to have you do all this stuff for her." "No, we are the lucky ones. She's added a lot to our lives." I replied. Three months later Scruff was better, but unfortunately, she was left with a permanent limp. I was worried the patients would not accept Scruff's handicap. However, the young patients wanted to make a blue and white dog handicap sign, so Scruff could park in the hospital handicap parking!! I thank God for allowing Scruff more time to complete her work. In 2004, Scruff received a volunteer appreciation certificate from the Paul Newman Points of Light Foundation in partnership with Make a Difference organization for,"..making your community a better place to live....." I've always been an introverted, shy person, but Scruff has led me into wonderful contacts with strangers. What an exceptional gift Scruff has given me!!! Our pets benefit us in so many ways. In June 2005, with the support/cooperation of the Good Dog Foundation, Scruff was nominated for the prestigious AKC ACE (American Kennel Club Canine Excellance ) Award. Scruff's photo can be seen on the AKC website under 2005 ACE Nominations - Pet Therapy Catagory. It is estimated that Scruff has met 3200 patients/people in her 5 years of pet visits. Scruff's "life lesson"; Through tragedy there's an opportunity to find meaning in life. Anything is "Pawsible." She not only works miracles; Scruff's whole life is a miracle!! Scruff was surely meant to live!!!! Sat, 19 Jul 2008 20:56:00 -0600