Mum, Dad, my brother Michael: everyone in the family got more affection from our ridgeback-staffie cross. And guess whose bed she used to poo on…
I think the tone was set when Ella threw up over me on the way back from the Dogs Trust. She was three months old, rolling around on the back seat between me and my twin brother, Michael (we’d just turned seven), and wasn’t enjoying her first trip in a car. She could have been sick anywhere – over the seat, over the floor – but for some reason she decided to climb on to me first.
It was the start of a beautiful but strangely one-sided friendship. Ella, a ridgeback-staffie cross, was the perfect dog: playful, energetic, naughty and tolerant. She would let us poke and prod her without complaint, turn her ears inside-out or dress her up in T-shirts or the thick woollen poncho my Greek Cypriot grandma knitted her for the British winter. And she was endlessly loving, at least to the other members of the family. Me? Too often it was as if I didn’t exist. If Michael and I were sitting on the sofa, she’d bound up to him. If I came home after a day out with my dad, he was the one she’d jump at. If I tried to take her for a walk by myself, she’d drag her feet and insist that I fetch my brother.
To add insult to injury, about once a year she would do a poo in the house. Not just anywhere, though: she’d climb the stairs to my room and leave it in a neat pile on top of my bed.
I can’t pretend I wasn’t offended by Ella’s attitude – I loved her just as much as anyone. But it took me a while to realise that in her eyes we were both bitches fighting for our place in the pack. I read that dogs are 98.8% wolf, even yappy little chihuahuas. Ella was a definite she-wolf and my mother (she who opened the tin of dog food every night) was the undisputed alpha female. Ella could handle that fact, but she didn’t want to be the omega female. That was me.
Working out the reasons for Ella’s lack of sisterhood, understanding that her indifference was atavistic and not just casual, didn’t make me any less jealous of my brother, who always took great pleasure in the fact that Ella seemed to prefer him. But I resigned myself to the situation. And then one day (happy ending, anyone?) everything changed. I must have been 16 or 17, we’d been away for a fortnight in France, and when we got back it was me she ran up to first, whining and twisting with pleasure at seeing me again. After that it was like all those years of competition had never happened. We were best friends for ever, or at least for the couple of years she had left. Ella finally loved me.
See the Tragic Battle for Survival of an Abandoned Pregnant Dog: Against All Odds
Juanita, a sweet and innocent dog, found herself abandoned on the streets, struggling to breathe and unable to get up due to a distended belly filled with fluid. Passers-by ignored her plight until Karla Garcia, a kind-hearted individual, came to her rescue and took her to the vet.
The vet immediately recognized the severity of Juanita’s condition and took swift action. Multiple suctioning procedures were performed to remove the fluid from her abdomen, which was putting pressure on her lungs and making it difficult for her to breathe. Despite the challenges she faced, Juanita showed resilience and began to slowly recover with each procedure.
As Juanita grew stronger, her true personality emerged. She was playful, affectionate, and had a wagging tail that never stopped. The vet and her staff were captivated by Juanita’s spirit and made sure she received the best care possible. They even found her a foster home where she could continue her recovery in a warm and loving environment.
With each passing day, Juanita’s progress was evident. Day 14 saw her back to her old self, full of energy and life. Her remarkable journey touched the hearts of everyone who heard her story. She proved that with love and care, no obstacle is insurmountable.
Day 21 marked a significant milestone in Juanita’s journey. Her foster family decided to adopt her and give her a forever home filled with love and security. Juanita’s transformation from a helpless stray to a cherished family member was a testament to the power of compassion and resilience.
Juanita’s story serves as a reminder that there are countless abandoned and neglected animals in need of our help. It only takes one person to make a difference, and Karla Garcia’s act of kindness saved Juanita’s life and brought her the love and care she deserved.
Juanita’s journey from abandonment to a loving home is a beacon of hope for all animals in need. Her story is a testament to the power of compassion, and a reminder that every life is valuable and deserving of love and care. Let Juanita’s story inspire us all to be a voice for the voiceless and make a positive impact in the lives of animals in need. Together, we can create a brighter future for them all.
Leave a Reply