Okay, this is my worst nightmare. Follow this link about poor Lucy . She has lived her entire life of 11 years with an elderly man whom recently passed away . He left her to his family, and they took her to our local high-kill animal shelter ! She is very healthy looking, and was obviously very much loved by him. My heart just breaks for both of them. Lucy for obvious reasons, and her owner for having such a crappy family and being helpless to do anything for his so loved girl! I already e-mailed the lady at the shelter about her and she responded immediately. She said poor Lucy's chances of being adopted are very slim due to her age, and left a number for me to contact her if I am interested. She said if nothing else, I am welcomed to at least foster her until a permanent home can be found, but if she came home with me, I don't see any further searching being necessary. Please pray for Lucy, her dear departed owner, and for everything to work out as it is meant to be. I will call about her in the morning. I'm a little nervous about what may happen, but I can't stand to think that this poor man's beloved furbaby will meet such an end. I can't imagine how confused she must be right now . I wonder if she would ever be happy living with me, or anyone else, after living with her daddy for such a long time. I'll let yall know tomorrow what happens.....poor Lucy<sniff>.....strange, I thought I would always have another german shepherd, but little miss Lucy-Lu here has just captured my heart...just look at that face http://search.petfinder.com/petnote/displa...i?petid=6506060

Dear Kim:

Oh, Sweet Lucy, Kim..... She is a very pretty girl!! I'm sorry to hear about her long time owner dad, who passed away. And, it's very disturbing to hear of the "family" she was left with!!! I'm sure that darling Lucy is much too good, anyway, for them !!
I will say a prayer for everything to work out as it is meant to be, right before we go to be (in a few minutes..)



Yes Kim, would she EVER love & be extremely happy living with you!!! Personally, I cannot think of a better home, Kim --- Or, a more loving, wonderful, exceptional person!!

Lucy's face is precious, and she has captured my heart, too!!! She deserves better (much better) than what she was left with after having been loved & taken care of for 11 years!!!

God Bless You Kim, always & in making your decision....

Love,

Denise, Ben, Ms. Lucy & Mr. Yoster

If it makes any difference, Kim R, and in my most humble opinion, I think she may be just what you need - 2 souls who need each other at this particular time, in this particular place. I respect breed purity as much as you do - my Norwegian Forest Cats, I swear, have a personality I can't describe, but then my mixed breeds and ferals have the odd and funny things they do too. Sometimes heart and breed collide and create the perfect mix - does that make sense? I think Sasha would find it a tribute to her memory that you could care so much about another soul. And while I'm not a big believer in signs - I never want to be disappointed - I have witnessed them, and maybe, just maybe, this is one.

Please let us know what happens. Sometimes when two hearts collide the perfect mix comes out of it. (I hope I didn't hear that in some cheesy chick-flick somewhere. My apologies, if I did) Take care - Barbara

This is what drives me most I think. My Sasha came from the very same shelter (oddly enough, even the very same pen~I like to think that just adds more 'meaning' to the whole thing). I'm a little nervous at this point because I haven't been able to get in touch with the woman who e-mailed me yesterday. I called the shelter, but it turns out that the the lady I contacted via e-mail isn't actually with the shelter. She (God bless her) takes it upon herself to try to find permanent homes, rescue organizations, or even foster homes,etc. for the animals in the shelter. I would have to speak to her directly about fostering Lucy, otherwise I would have to outright adopt her and I'm not sure I am ready for that just yet. Although fostering will probably result in the same, it makes it less 'scary' for me if I can call it 'fostering'. I asked the lady at the shelter this morning if I could at least bring Lucy a comfy bed to sleep on until I could contact the lady I needed to speak to about fostering( it is actually Sasha's old bed, but at this point I couldn't find a better way to use such a comfy bed made especially for arthritic animals~quite a leap there, huh?) can you believe she said NO! She said it would be too difficult to try to keep it dry while cleaning because of the way they hose out the runs. I told her it had a waterproof protector around the actual bed part ( I bought that to protect it since Sasha would sometimes 'leak' while she was sleeping) and that they could just throw a dry blanket down over it each time. She said it would generate too much laundry! She was a real WITCH! Not at all like the gentleman who runs the place. He wasn't there, but I know if I get in touch with him personally he will hear my plea. So now they are closed, and I have to think about poor Lu-Lu laying on the concrete floor for another lonely night. I would honestly love to be able to foster her and help find her a nice home with someone so that I could continue to foster others. Until now, I haven't really thought about it much, but after seeing the real need in it, the 'safety' in it (of not commiting my heart 'permanently' to another furbaby just yet), AND the wonderful feeling of helping to save a life all at one time...it is really a beautiful thing. Yeah, I know, she'll probably stay here with me forever, but let me humor myself, would ya !
Thank you for all your support. I'll let yall know as soon as I hear something....
Love,
Kim

Well, the lady I needed to speak to just called me! We talked for awhile and I had some questions about whether Lucy was okay with other dogs, cats, and small children...all requirements for this household !She said she is certain about other dogs, but not sure about cats and children. She is supposed to call me back in the morning after she can research these things. I explained to her that if for some reason I can't foster her, I would very much like to 'sponser' her if someone else can. I offered to pay for any adoption fees, medical costs, and will even buy her a bed, food and any supplies that she needs. All someone would have to do is provide a safe and comfortable place for her to live. I guess I'll know tomorrow whether or not that place will be here with me, or with someone else, but the important thing is that Lucy is allowed to live out her years with the peace, love and comfort that she deserves. The lady told me that with Lucy's personality, it would be a difficult 'first foster' as she is apparently a real 'love bug', but I can think of worse things that could happen than getting 'stuck' with a precious soul like her, eh?
Love,
Kim

I say go for it Kim, Lucy needs someone like you to give her comfort and love.

And you know youll get 10 fold back, dont leave it too long to decide.

Love Sue

Dear Kim,

Sometimes we tend to overthink situations when we should go with our gut feelings. I just have two words. Get her!

Ken Albin

I hope it works out okay. I have a feeling that she will be coming home with you. A senior dog is not likely to chase the cat or the kids. She will be so grateful to you.

This is my thought exactly! I am still waiting for the woman to call me back this morning (she said it would be first thing ). At this point, they know I am interested in her, so her life at least has been promised safe to me for right now. I just don't think that she will have any issues that I can't handle at her age. If she is bothered by my daughter (I can't imagine her being aggressive toward my daughter, but my daughter may leave her wishing for the shelter ) then I can just put a gate across the kitchen (don't worry,it's a nice size. We actually had to do that with Zada until our daughter was big enough to navigate out of her way!) so she can have some peace, and that is Zada's favorite place in the house anyways, so they can have each other's company. It is really the cat issue that could be the only problem, but I just don't see her caring enough about some ol' cat enough to even make the effort ! I hear yall loud and clear !At this point, it really isn't my hesitation as much as it is all the red tape. I'm pretty much ready to take her in, but the lady that handles fostering has to take care of quite a bit on her end. The shelter doesn't foster directly. She actually adopts them, and then places them into the foster homes, rescues, etc. She said she wanted to check with her other groups she works with. She is very active with the Lab rescue (her main rescue work), so she said she may be able to place Lucy in a permanent home through them before bouncing her through the foster system....I'm just waiting to hear something at this point. I know that Lucy is safe for now, but I still wish they could speed things up. It is going to be 98 degrees today, too hot for a dog her age(our shelter doesn't have A/C) and she needs to have a more comfy place lay.....like at my house ! LOL! I really will be happy if they find her a forever home with someone else, but it sure wouldn't hurt my feelings if she ended up with me, either!
Thank you all for your support with this. It is very scary to take such a step, but so far it hasn't felt anything but right!!
Love,
Kim

I hope everything works out for you. I truly believe that it is a sign from Sasha and I know that your new baby will be forever greatful.
Ironic as it is, that is how I became Emily's Mom, my former boyfriend passed away and not one member of his family had asked anything about Emily of course, I already had her with me when they came breezing into town with pick up trucks wanting to clean the house out.
Yes my friend ,you are ready and the best of luck to you.

What a heartbreaking situation. I was sorry to read that Lucy was in Georgia, cuz I'd take her in a second! I don't have kids, but 2 cats and 2 dogs, I think she'd fit in real good. If you can get her to New York state, I'll take her and love her. We have A/C, but around here, it is more snow than heat, but our babies only go out when they want, and stay in as much as they want, so she'd be protected.
I hope you can take her Kim, but if it comes to life or death, send her to me. Our younger dog is 10 1/2 and the other dog will be 12 in a couple months, the perfect age of understanding for Lucy. I am not sure from the petfinder description if she has arthritis or she is overheated, she is probably more heartbroken than anything.
Like I said Kim, if you are willing to pay for her initial supplies. then pay for a transport to me if you need to.
My best wishes for the best solution, and I hope it is with you ( or me), cuz then we'll know she's doing great.
Peace, Love, and Prayers,
Michelle

Rest in Peace, Beaner. Born March 8, 1992- passed away in peace at home June 18, 2006.

Hi Kim,

I definitely was not ready to get a new friend when I did. It is so nice to have him around, though. Sometimes I think that people that care as much as most of the people at this site almost have an obligation to take in an absurd number of critters. There are so many needy ones. Puppies and kittens go like hotcakes, but the poor injured and old ones are usually not so lucky.

I adopted Eli too early, but the pain in this action is nothing compared to the pleasure of having another fun friend around the house.

Hi Kim,

I think you and Lucy need one another. Her owner who has passed certainly would have wanted the best and you sound like that.

I had an odd experience happen as well. MY little Misty who I lost back on February had a sister... I figured she was already gone as the lady I got Misty from had threatened if I didn't take Bernie she would have her put down. She didn't want to put out money on Bernies health care. Well the daughter took her with her when she moved out, but with Bernie's advanced age she worried that between working and going to school Bernie's needs were being neglected, so she emailed me to see how Misty was. I had to break it to her, and she took it well, and told me of Bernies plight. She needed a home with more time, me being the bleeding heart I am I said yes, that was 2 weeks and $800.00 ago. I had to have her dental done to improve her quality of life. She looks just like Misty and her mannerisms are so similiar, sometimes she makes me cry, but with tears of joy. She brings back the happy times.

Although she doesn't look like Sasha, you may find that she helps heal the hurt by making you laugh, and cry... but what a better way to wipe tears than in a fur coat.
Maybe this is Sasha's way of making it okay... telling you to help another Old dog...

I am so thankful for all the support you have all given in this situation. I never heard from Cathy (the lady I need to speak to) today, but then again I was at the hospital all day. I just got home. My brother and his wife are expecting their first baby and she went into labor VERY early. They are trying to stop it, and things seemed to be going well for now, so I came home to get some rest, and of course had to check-in here before going to bed. I checked my messages when I got home and nothing. I know she deals with so many animals, but it is frustrating none the less when I don't hear anything. Each day Lucy spends there is one day too many.
Michelle,
If you are serious about wanting her, I'll definitely try to make it happen if I can't keep her. How far are you from me? I am 2 hours south of Atlanta. I know that her life with you would be one I would never have to worry about, which is something I know I would struggle with in a foster situation...I would never think anyone else would love her as much as I could ! I know you would though! I know your hands are full, but like I said, if you are truly serious about it, I'll MAKE it happen if I have to deliver her myself!!
Love,
Kim

I know that there are people out there who don't believe in God and divine intervention, but somehow I have faith that this will work out. This is a community that cares and shares, so God bless you all.

Kim, I hope things work out with your brother and his family. I worked as an OB nurse for years, and there are miraculous things that can be done now with preterm labor and premies, for that matter.

Take care - Barbara

GOOD NEWS!!!! LUCY'S BREAKIN OUT TODAY!!!!! I'm going to get her ! I received an e-mail from Cathy that said she was having trouble with her phones, so couldn't call, but told me by e-mail that all I had to do at that point was say GO! and it was a done deal.....so I said GO! ! I am just waiting for the shelter to get the material Cathy has to fax over to them to make it 'legal' and then Lucy-Lu is on her way home!! (well, foster home, but whatever, it's a home none the less!) I'm just overwhelmed with emotion right now! I really feel like Sasha is very proud of all of us for caring so much about one of her fellow shelter dogs!
Love,
Kim

Barbara,
Thanks for the added words of comfort for my little niece we are expecting. They can't seem to stop my sister-in-laws contractions no matter what they do, so they are just trying to keep her on the magnesium long enough to get the steroids in her for the baby's lungs. It looks like in all probability we are going to have a baby tomorrow. She is only at 32 weeks gestation, but the contractions continue, she is 4 cm dialated, and 90% thinned out (bulging membranes to top it off), so please keep her in your prayers....
Love~Kim

Thats great news Kim, i know Lucy is very lucky that you going to give her a loving new home.

God bless you

Love Sue

Just wanted to let everyone know that Lucy is now safe with me. She is such a beautiful old soul. She is so affectionate, but she is in worse shape than I expected. Her arthritis is quite severe. You can actually hear a 'crunchy' sound when she gets up and down from the bone rubbing together ( a familiar sound from my Sasha), although she doesn't show much discomfort. She has a very angry looking tumor on the inside of her leg that continues to bleed and, in my experience, looks like it may be cancerous, not just an 'old dog tumor'. I will start her on some Rimadyl for the arthritis, and make an appt. to have the tumor seen about by the vet. She loves my little girl, and loves attention, but she doesn't like my other dog very much, so I hope that will change. If the vet doesn't have good news for her, I would prefer to just keep her until her time here is done, but if she continues to act aggressive toward Zada, I will have to give her up to another foster parent. Either way, I got her just in time. If we didn't get her today, she was scheduled to be euthanized tomorrow and I just can't imagine her leaving this world like that. They said she was unadoptable due to her age and her health issues, so it wasn't fair to make her live like that when they needed the space. I'm sure from the short time I have spent with her that she was that elderly woman's ( I said earlier it was a man who owned her, but I mispoke) best friend in the world, and deserves to be treated with due respect. When I learned that they use gas at our shelter now, I was all the more horrified. They said that they have to euthanize at much too large a rate to be able to use injection anymore....it just makes me sick. Anyway, on a happier note, Lucy was saved today. She may not have much longer, but at least her last days will be filled with love and she will leave this world peacefully and with her dignity in tact. Just a small tear jerker moment...when I picked her up and put her in the back of the SUV, I said "I know you miss your mommy, but she had to go be with the angels so she sent me to pick you up until she could come and get you, okay?"...she immediately licked my face and quitely laid down....I burst into tears and cried the whole way home.
Love to you all,
Kim

Kim, I am so happy for you and Lucy. May God be with you and please know that I am praying for the both of you. I wish I could bring another furbaby into my heart and home but I know it's just to soon for me right now.You and lucy will be just fine .Like I said before I truly believe that this is a sign from your baby Sasha. Good luck to the both of you....

What a beautiful story. You truly saved a life! It reminds of a friend of mine whose mother went to the shelter to get a puppy and saw a very old beagle that could not be placed. The beagle had obviously lived with a family and had either been lost or abandoned.

Anyway, she took the beagle home and named her "Granny." Granny surprisingly lived two more wonderful years.

Your Sasha must be very happy and proud of you. This is a real tribute to your love for her.


Daisy's Mommy,

Anne

Oooooohhhh KIM!!!!!

WORDS CANNOT EVEN EXPRESS HOW EXTREMELY THRILLED I AM FOR YOU & LUCY & YOUR FAMILY!!!!!!!!!!!!

GOD BLESS YOU!!!! YOU REALLY ARE ONE OF GOD'S VERY, VERY SPECIAL ANGELS - HERE ON EARTH !!!



I have such a warm fuzzy feeling reading this whole thread, Kim!! You are a real doll and have such a heart of GOLD!!

God Bless You & Yours, my friend!!

Love, Denise, Ben, Ms. Lucy & Mr. Yoster

p.s. Has your little niece come into the world yet?? My thoughts and prayers are
with your sister-in-law & brother (and their little bundle).... I worked in
OB/GYN in the mid-80's, and (like Barbara said), they are doing wonderful
things these days with/for premature babies. And, you live in an area where
there is a wonderful Children's Hospital. All my best to them.....

Oh, what a wonderful way for the day to end! Even if Lucy doesn't have all that much time left, you're right, she'll have dignity and love and what better way to bring a close to a life which would have ended so much more painfully and sadly. God bless you.

This is such an emotional and event-filled time for you, and I feel for your stress. A baby born at 32 weeks actually has a decent chance at a normal life, even if the first weeks are stress inducing. When I worked L&D, we always found baby girls had a much better chance at leaving the hospitel in better shape than a lot of baby boys. The magnesium symptoms suck, but the steroids do make a difference. I hope that adds a little comfort to a time when I know you've got so much going on, and have been through so much in the past few days. Again, bless you and bless Lucy, and especially bless those animals at that shelter.

Take care - Barbara

What a great story. Reading through all of this tells me it was meant to be.
But some of it made me sad as the shelter has to resort to gas since they have so many animals. Makes me sick, really.
Even thought she's older and has some issues, at least the golden years of her life will spent with someone who will care for her and give her love.
I'm crossing my fingers on the tumor and hope they can remove it and that will be the end of it. A friend of mine adopted a crotchity old toy poodle from our local shelter. He must be 100 years old but he had a tumor too. They removed it and he's been since ever since.

Best of luck and keep us updated on her progress. Gives you faith that there are people out there who really are angels.

Thanks,

Chris

now you got me blubbing

I just thought I would update everyone on Lucy. She seems to be doing okay. She will have sporatic moments when she will just whine for no reason, but I just tell her that I know she misses her mommy and she will see her again someday. Once she gets a good back rub, she seems okay again. She LOVES my 2 year old daughter (which was one of our biggest concerns). Lucy follows her everywhere, and lets her just hug and kiss all over her with no protests at all....she is just so sweet. She even tried to get between us when I scolded my daughter (Regan). Regan was pulling on Lucy's collar and I asked her to stop. She didn't so I got up to scold her for it. Lucy leaned in front of her and stretched her head out against Regan's chest as to say 'it's okay, I don't mind, don't scold her'. It was so sweet. She has stopped growling at Zada and they are even able to be loose together as long as they are being supervised ( I don't completely trust her just yet). She has insited on going to the barn with me, so I let her come, even though it seems difficult for her (her arthritis is pretty severe, but I started her on Rimadyl and cosequin and they seem to be helping a lot). I don't think she has ever seen horses before. It was funny to see her reaction to them. She kept looking at them and then to me as if to say "what the heck are those things!". She is just a really great dog. She is completely housebroken, quite, loving, protective, all the things people would ask for in a pet. The only problem so far is that we are having a difficult time trying to teach her not to chase the cat (which I never thought would be a problem with a dog her age). She doesn't seem to want to hurt him, but we aren't sure what her intentions are, not to mention I'm sure the cat doesn't appreciate it, so we are working on that. I will be taking her to the vet on Monday to have her tumor seen about. I'm sure once that is removed she will be much more comfortable. Well, I just wanted everyone who was kind enough to support me through this what was going on so far. She seems quite happy here, so maybe she'll stay awhile . I have even caught my husband, who insited from the start that this be temporary and I not get attached, having love fests with her when I wasn't looking! She has that effect on people !
Love,
Kim
P.S.>as far as my brother and his wife's baby situation....they have been able to stop the contractions with medication for now! YEAH! They say the goal for right now is to just get her to 34 weeks. Apparently the babies chances are pretty good at that point, so it seems like a realistic goal for now. I guess if she makes it this next week, they will go from there! She remains in the hospital under a watchful eye! Thanks for caring!

Hi Kim!!

God Bless You! Lucy sounds like an absolute doll.... Things sound like they are working out very well -- You really are an Angel on Earth, Kim !!



He he.......I love it when things like that happen.... You just have to love it!!

And....I am so very happy to hear about your brother & sister in law.... 34 weeks gestation is that *magic* number for premies.... Saying my prayers for them!!

Have a wonderful, blessed weekend, Kim & Family,

God Bless You All!

Love, Denise

Kim,

God Bless you. You have certainly earned your wings for this!



Tanya

Kim,

What a wonderful person you are!!!!! I agree, you earned your wings.

Essy