An End to Our Story - A Bright Beginning for You

SARAH'S RAINBOW

SARAH, BRADY & GABBY

SARAH RELAXING IN HER NEW HOME

SARAH & HER NEW BROTHER BRADY

SARAH'S SMALLER BROTHER GABBY

SARAH & BRADY CHEWING ON THEIR BONES

As I drove away I was excited for your new beginning. I hoped that all would go well when you got to your new house. I cried for you on the way home, missing you. It was a rainy drive home and it fit my mood after I let you go. Although I knew you were in good hands; I worried about you. As I drove home in the rain, crying, and missing you, I knew you were in the place you belonged. You had a forever family that would love you and give you a new beginning. As I drove in the rain, it suddenly got very sunny, and when I looked out the window of the car, I saw the most beautiful rainbow. I stopped for gas, and took a photo of the rainbow. I knew right then that this was a good sign, you had found your proverbial "pot of gold". You were going to be all right! This was the end of our story, but a bright new beginning for you.

As a part of a rescue group, we take in dogs who are abused, uncared for, or maybe just in a situation that the owners can no longer care for thier dogs. We take them into our homes and heart. We try to fix broken spirits, broken bodies and broken hearts. We do all this and more, but it is the homes that adopt these dogs that deserve the praise. Without them, we would not have the happy endings that these dogs deserve. I would like to take this time to thank Sarah's new family. This thanks is not for an ending, but for a beginning.

I would like to, with permission from Sarah's new family, give you an update from her family.

"Sarah, Brady and Gabby are getting along fabulously. Brady and Sarah romp and play all the time. Sarah's tail has been wagging more and more. They all eat in their crates right in front of us which was a big step for Sarah. Sarah has come such a long way in the short time we have had her. She runs up and down the stairs, plays with toys, takes naps, puts her front paws forward in a playful puppy stance. I can not wait to see how she is by summertime. We all love her so much. She gives everyone lots of kisses, which is so sweet and endearing. She just makes our household a better place and we are lucky to have her. I will keep you posted as things come along. We are so glad we found her.
She is making great strides everyday. I can't wait for the day when she runs up to us happy to see us, sure that we will not hurt her. We love her so much already. She has this sweet, vulnerability about her. We will give kisses from you to her (she gets a lot but more can never hurt). She would want you to know she is happy and on her way to becoming the dog we all know is living inside her now. "

If you would like to adopt a dog like Sarah, you can go to the following website. http://www.bullmastiff.us/rescue/index.html

Farewell My Beautiful Girl

Life is like a novel. As each chapter unfolds we learn a little bit more of the main character and read of the people who enter and exit in that character's life. Your novel started out as a sad tale but, like any good novel, with a kind, beautiful heroine, you captivated our imagination with your life's journey. You started on your journey as a broken spirit and along the way you had the stamina, forgiveness and fortitude to change your situation. I am happy that I was invited to play a role in your life. I loved watchng as the pages of your life unfolded in front of me. I was able to watch you as you went from the cowering dog in the corner to a dog that loved life, and playing. I marveled at your strength and your ability to forgive. I felt inferior to you in your capacity to give so much love to the species that had caused you so much pain. I will always be thankful to you for letting me be a part of your journey, and I wish you joy and the stars and moon. As you continue on with your new family I hope you remember this chapter with a smile. Good bye my beautiful girl. I will miss you more than you will know and I thank you for the chance to be a small part of your life. I look forward to closing the last page and savoring the happy ending you enjoy with your forever family.

Donna

February 6, 2008 - Meeting the Kids

The weather here has not changed much, so we have had no news to share. We did not want to bore you with our sitting in the house watching TV LOL. We finally got a chance to do something new for Sarah, so I will share her day with you.

Sarah had her first chance at having a few kids in the house this week. My nieces and nephew were over and Sarah was at first leary of them, not wanting anything to do with these toronadoes on feet. She decided to sit things out for the first couple of hours. I told the kids to leave her alone so that she could watch things and figure out for herself that nothing was going to happen to her. She sat in the kitchen on her bed and just watched the kids. After a while she decided to come into the family room so that she could get a better view of what was happening. After she got a little more comfortable with the kids, I decided to let them pet her and she was unsure at first, but decided that the petting was worth the effort. Besides, it never hurts to have a few pieces of the roast we had for dinner. This always helps with making a friend of a dog. I have attached a few photos of the kids (Mackenzie, Aodhan & Keiran) on Sarah's bed and a photo of Keiran feeding her some roast.

After a few hours Keiran and Sarah became good friends and Keiran decided that Sarah would benefit from her hugs and some songs. Here is a video of Keiran singing her version of You Are My Sunshine

Jauary 29, 2008 - Healing Hearts Together

(The photos above show Sarah, with the bone, and my Princess - as you read the post, you will see why I am showing you my Princess' photo.)

Sarah is getting stronger, and more confident daily. She is quite a funny dog now that she is more sure of herself and of her surroundings. She tears around the yard chasing the small dogs and will come inside and roll around on her blanket to dry herself off after she is out in the rain. She has gotten to looking out the window now with the smaller dogs. The 2 little ones perch themselves on the back of the couch to look out the window at the outdoor cats. Sarah has started to get up there with them. I had to immediately put a halt to that. Personally, my dogs are allowed on the couch but Sarah is not going to be my dog so I have to teach her good manners that will follow to her new forever home.
Sarah listens well and now when we are in the family room and I am going out, or to bed, all I have to do is say "Sarah, kitchen" and she will go to the kitchen and get on her bed while I close the dog gate behind her.
On a personal note. When Sarah came to me she already had the name of Sarah. Today I found out that Sarah means Princess. I thought this fitting, and ironic, that a beautiful dark brindle girl should make her way to me to "fix". I had my own bullmastiff, another beautiful dark brindle. Her name was Princess. My Princess, to my utter despair fell ill a few months back, and after many specialists and the best vet care, it was decided by all that she could not be cured and would have to go to the Rainbow Bridge. I have had, and still have a hole in my heart. Perhaps this is my second chance to help a Princess. Maybe, Karma, God, or whatever you believe in has stepped in and sent me Sarah so this time I can save a "Princess". I do know that since she has entered my home, I have not had the chance to dwell on the past, but work on this new Princess' future. Maybe I am not the one healing Sarah, but her healing me. I do know this time the parting will be a joyous one, when Sarah goes to her new forever home to be loved and cared for.

Sharing a Little Poem

This was shared by a friend of mine, and with her permission, I decided to share it with you. I thought it appropriate for Sarah's Blog. This is the home I hope she finds. She deserves it.

HERE IN THIS HOUSE

I will never know the loneliness I hear in the barks of the other dogs 'out there.

I can sleep soundly, assured that when I wake my world will not have changed.

I will never know hunger, or the fear of not knowing if I'll eat.

I will not shiver in the cold, or grow weary from the heat. I will feel the sun's heat, and the rain's coolness, and be allowed to smell all that can reach my nose.

My fur will shine, and never be dirty or matted.

Here in this house...

There will be an effort to communicate with me on my level. I will be talked to and, even if I don't understand, I can enjoy the warmth of the words.

I will be given a name so that I may know who I am among many. My name will be used in joy, and I will love the sound of it!

Here in this house...

I will never be a substitute for anything I am not.

I will never be used to improve peoples' images of themselves.

I will be loved because I am who I am, not someones idea of who I should be.

I will never suffer for someones anger, impatience, or stupidity.

I will be taught all the things I need to know to be loved by all.

If I do not learn my lessons well, they will look to my teacher for blame.

Here in this house...

I can trust arms that hold, hands that touch...knowing that, no matter what they do, they do it for the good of me.

If I am ill, I will be doctored. If scared, I will be calmed. If sad, I will be cheered.

No matter what I look like, I will be considered beautiful and thought to be of value.
I will never be cast out because I am too old, too ill, too unruly, or not cute enough.

My life is a responsibility, and not an afterthought.

I will learn that humans can almost, sometimes, be as kind and as fair as dogs.

Here in this house...I will belong.I will be home.
*(author unknown)*

January 27, 2008

It has been a few days since I have posted. The weather here has been terribly cold (-20 with the wind chill) and we have not really gone anywhere. Our days have been spent just staying in the house and cleaning. Sarah has turned out to be a wonderful addition to the family. She now comes, happily, when you call her name. She follows you around the house and likes to be petted. Her housebreaking has been accomplished. She is on a regular schedule and I for one, am relieved. I used to have to bring her outside every couple of hours and stand with her in the yard for quite some time before she did anything. She now goes out half as many times and she knows what she is there for. With the cold front that moved in I am glad that she goes much quicker now :)

Today I noticed that Sarah is getting quite a bit of stubble on her back, so I know her hair is starting to come back in. Her coat, is starting to gleam on her head and now that she is on good food, you can tell what a beautiful girl she is going to be. She is quite the character now, and I am amazed at how gentle and good natured she is with the smaller dogs. She loves to wrestle with them, but will gladly share anything she has with them. I am attaching some pictures of her and penny laying around sharing bones. Penny decided she wanted the big bone, so Sarah obliged and she took Penny's smaller bone.
Sarah is now ready to find her new forever family. I believe she is ready to bond with someone who has the time to give her attention, love and structure in her life. She is a very intelligent, dog who, I believe, will learn quickly. She has now also begun to show some interest in guarding her house. When someone comes to the door she will bark. She is much more confident in herself and loves exploring and playing with her toys.
I am hoping to get her out and bring her to the place where I take my dogs for obedience training. We will not start formal training, but I would like her to attend and just get a feel for the other dogs and people and maybe learn a few commands also. We will be working on sit and down this week in the house.

I have attached a photo of Sarah from today, along with her best friend Penny.
Donna

Going to the Door Now - January 22, 2008

Today was again a day of play and easy learning. Sarah went to the door today to let me know that she had to go outside. This is the first time she initiated the potty break. I was glad to see that her housebreaking lessons are starting to sink in. She is doing very well with her housebreaking, only having 1 accident in the house in quite a few days. The one accident was my own fault though. She went by the door, but I did not realize she was letting me know that she wanted out. She just walked up to the door and then turned around. She then proceeded to pee when I did not let her out. I know now that when she walks up to the door she wants out. She does not scratch or whine, just quietly stands there for a minute and I know she wants to go outside. Seeing how this is the first time she has shown this behaviour, I did not catch it the first time; hence her first accident in days. I am overall pleased with the progress she is still making.

Today we have not done much of anything. We decided that today would be a day of rest from lessons. We would not try to teach anything new, just let her use her new found joy of play. She loves to play with the other dogs. She is very gentle with them, letting them take the toys and even cleaning the rat terrier, Penny. Sarah will do well in a forever home with a small dog that likes playing as much as she does. It has been a joy to watch the transformation in her. She went from cowering in a corner to becoming a strong, yet gentle bullmastiff in a very short time. I am convinced that she is a very intelligent dog who has not had the opportunity to show that side of herself before now. Click on the video button below to see Sarah playing withPenny. (sometimes you have to click on it more than once to get it to start.)

Out & About January 20, 2008

Today I decided that Sarah would need to get out and see some of the world. She has progressed so well in the house and has really come out of her shell. I wanted to see how she would fare when she was not in one of her comfort zones. I decided to take her to the local park that is just 2 minutes from my home. I thought that way if she did become stressed we could get back to familiar territory easily without having her become too worried. I also decided that her first outing should be with one of the dogs she is familiar with. We decided to bring Bama along for moral support for her. I figured she would read his signals and with him having fun there, she would think this must be OK. Sarah did very good at the park. She even walked up onto one of the slide platforms with me. She had to walk up a wooden plank board and then onto a steel grated walkway. She took everything in stride, following Bama's lead. She did not seem like she was stressed at all. We went home and after dinner we decided to go to Petsmart to see how she would do there. Again, I took Bama with us to lessen her stress. My husband walked Bama and I walked Sarah around the store. She seemed very curious of everything in there. She only got a little spooked once or twice, but I just told her "come on Sarah" and kept walking and she recovered quickly. I did not want to make a big deal out of the couple of things that scared her. The first was someone coming up closely behind her with a shopping cart. I think it was just the fact that it was something she did not see until it was directly behind her. The second was the birds. When she went past the birds in the glass enclosure she startled a bit when they flew up. I took her past the birds a few more times to show her that it was nothing. My husband and I stood there with her for a few minutes and just talked for while so that she would see that it was nothing that anyone else was worried about. She did let a little girl, and the girls parents, pet her and she seemed to enjoy being petted by them. We stayed there a little while talking dogs while they pet her. She also got a few rubs from some other people in the store.

I think this was a good day for her all and all. Once her confidence is built up a little more I will have to start taking her out on her own, without Bama, but for now we will wait. There is time for that when she gets stronger.

Donna

Random Thoughts - January 19, 2008

Today I had to transport another rescue dog who was going from Illinois to the Pennsylvania area. Met up with a girl in Bradley Illinois and drove the dog to its second leg of the trip. I was gone from 9am until 3:30 and was worried Sarah might go to the bathroom but she didn't. That is the longest, except overnight, that I had left her without taking her out. I was afraid she may go to the bathroom in the house while I was gone. I was happy to see that she did not. She has had no accidents in a couple of days now and I am thrilled. She is still timid about things. Now when you get up she runs to the kitchen jumps on her bed but turns around and comes right back. She wags her tail all the time and does not keep it tucked under like she did previously. She will also go in and out with me in the fenced yard with no leash. I had to keep her on a leash before to get her to come back in the house; or else chase her around the yard to get her to come in. Once was enough with that lol. Another small step, but that is the way it goes. Sometimes you take small steps then have a step back and start again. Eventually, you will get where you are going; although the journey may take a little while longer than you had planned. She does have her little quirks even with coming in the house. You have to go in the door first, move away from the door, and then she comes in when you call. If you are standing next to the door she will not go past you. I think it is still a trust issue. Yesterday she cracked me up. She was in the yard with Bama and she started doing that Bully run where they tuck their butt up under themselves and run with all their might. She would chase Bama and then he would turn and chase her. You could tell she was just having a blast. I think she would do well in a home with someone with a small playful dog. She really seems to love playing with mine. I am wondering if I should start taking her places. I hate to do it too quick, but also think she needs to see some things. I don't know if she has seen anything. I thought maybe taking her to the little park by my house. No one will be there in the freezing cold but she can get out and about in a different area. I also considered taking her to Petsmart but thought that might be too overwhelming right now.
I sometimes sit petting her and wonder if she ever had a good life. Did someone have these puppies and sit up with them all night, loving them, and caring for them? Did someone buy her and give her love when she was younger then just get tired of her and leave her locked in a crate? Has she ever known, before this, what it was like to be a dog and play and be loved? Sarah just sits there unquestioning, living in the moment of a head rub enjoying the present. Maybe we should learn from her. Enjoy what you have, don't dwell on the past and things you can not change.

I am adding a small video of Bama and Sara playing in the yard.

Starting to Play - January 18, 2008

Today began like all the other days. I woke up, immediately took Sarah outside to potty and then after much praise and a few biscuits we headed back in to start the coffee. When the coffee finished I sat in my chair and Sarah got into what is now her other safe spot, the blanket next to the chair. Bama, as is his morning routine, had to bring me a toy to throw for him. I sat there throwing toys while trying to drink my coffee and watch the morning news. Suddenly, Sarah got up off her blanket and picked up one of the toys that were lying in the floor. She proceeded to bring it back to her blanket and, much to my delight, started to play with it. I was thrilled to see this bit of dog fun come out in her. Remember, I told you she did not know how to even play with toys when she first arrived. She would watch the other dogs play but did not show any interest in the toys I tried to get her to play with. Another small step in her progression, but each step is like climbing the mountain, soon we will get to the top. I am posting some photos of her playing with some toys.

By George, I Think She Got It - Jan. 17, 2008

It seems fitting to use the phrase from My Fair Lady. Just like Eliza Doolittle transformed day by day into a lady, Sarah is transformed each day a little at a time. I have had tremendous success with her housebreaking so far. She still has not gone in the house and now goes whenever she is let out. I know that it is still a work in progress though. We are starting anew just like with a puppy. At first they go outside because you know the schedule of when they need to go. When they wake up, after eating, before bed, no feeding after a certain time, take their water away at night, etc. This is the phase Sarah is in right now. She is having no accidents due to diligence but, just like with a puppy, diligence pays off and becomes habit. I am just thrilled to say "By George, I Think She Got It!
Just like me and Professor Higgins, you too can help with a transformation. Patience, love, trust and more patience is all it takes. It is really like raising a puppy. You just start afresh and teach them with kindness what is expected. Build trust and show them the world is not all bad.

Another day of Discovery Januay 16, 2008

Today is another day of discovery for Sarah. She has lots of new toys and things to familiarize herself with. She sniffs her toys but does not play with any of them. She is very interested in watching Penny and Bama play with them though. She gets up to check on them but does not join in when they invite her to play. She comes back over to the chair and just lays down. She has taken to coming out of the kitchen and laying on the pad next to my chair. It is a good thing to see that she is wanting to join in with us now instead of just laying on the toddler bed in the kitchen. Shows wonderful progress in her trust issues. She has discovered that she really enjoys the head rubs she gets while we are watching television. She still does not like quick movement and will still get up and go to the safety of her bed when I get up from the chair. The difference being that she now turns around and comes straight back though.
Today is the birthday of 2 of my own bullmastiffs. Star and Carmel both turned 7 years old today. We are making dog treats for all the dogs to celebrate. Sarah is really interested in the smells coming from the kitchen and has taken to following me each time I get up to check on things. She discovered that she gets to sample the recipe each time. I think she might like my cooking......boy, she has been neglected if she thinks my cooking is good ;)
Sarah is still making quick progress in her housebreaking and has not had a single accident in the house today.

Sarah as of January 15, 2008

My girl Sarah is doing wonderfully for the short time she has been here. She is still very unsure of everything, but she is venturing out and about in the house and showing a general interest in things. Today she actually ran around the yard and played with my bichon mix Bama. She even walked upright around the house and yard. Before today she always did that cowering type of walk where she was not standing up straight but kind of like a whipped dog. I think the other dogs have helped her to come around quickly. She seems to really love them. She takes her cues from them and when they come up to get petted and loved on she comes with them. She now seems to trust us also, and does not run in terror whenever we move. She still high tails it if you move too quickly but if you move slowly she will stay and she even comes to me when I call her. I have not crated Sarah to help in her housebreaking at all. She is in the kitchen with her toddler bed and there is a dog gate so she can not leave the kitchen at night when we go to bed. I made the decision not to crate her right now until she gets the hang of housebreaking. I know in most cases crating helps in housebreaking, but I figured with her it may not help. She has been raised to go to the bathroom in a crate so I figured crating may add to her confusion because that is where she thinks she should go to the bathroom. I also thought it would be easier to clean the tile in the kitchen than to clean crate and give her a bath every day should she not be able to hold it. She did not pee in the house at all last night, but she did poop. Not bad, we will take things day by day. Any progress is like a great step. It thrills me to watch her blossom. She deserves her chance in life to run and play and be loved.

Sarah meets the family - January 14, 2008

Sarah's housebreaking has hit a standstill. After hours and hours of walking outside on the leash Sarah still will not potty outside. I believe this is due to the fact that she was forced to go in her crate and not allowed out. Sarah does not have an understanding yet of the fact that she is to go outside. After our long walks Sarah comes inside and goes to the bathroom on the floor. Thankfully my kitchen and family room is tiled and so there is no problem with cleanup. I am at a loss for getting her to go outside. I know that she will just have to make that first time outside and then things will progress. Perhaps if she goes out with the other dogs. I do not know how she will react to them though, so I am leary of letting her interact yet. Oh well, we have to do this sometime so why not now. A big part of rescue is evaluating the dog with people, and other animals so that you know where they can be placed.

So..........Today Sarah got a chance to meet some of the members of the household. Not knowing much about her temperament yet, it was decided that she should first meet them behind a ex-pen kennel. This would give them a chance to sniff each other and get to know each other in safety just in case. Sarah seemed thrilled to meet the new dogs. She met both Bama, my Bichon mix and Penny, my Rat Terrier rescue. After a while of greeting each other behind the kennel barrier it was decided to let them have a face to face meeting. Sarah was a perfect lady and was very gentle with the smaller dogs. Tonight Sarah will go outside with the other dogs in the hope of her following their lead and using the "bathroom" outside.

HOOOORAAAAAY Sara pottied outside tonight. Good Girl Sarah!!!!!!!

Sarah January 13, 2008

Well, now that Sarah has told you a lot about the little we know of her life. I am going to try to fill you in on Sarah's recovery and how the rescue dog blossoms day by day. Progress is sometimes measured in small doses with a rescue, but each new experience, taste of love, is a joy. Seeing the progress daily is an amazing thing. When Sarah came to me, cowering with each movement, I thought it would take a long time to see any progress with her. This has not been the case. She is a very smart girl and unbelievable in her ability to adapt and to trust. One of the first things I did was to sew a new coat for Sarah. Her lack of hair in the cold Indiana winters made this a necessity. Here is a photo of Sarah modeling her new coat.

Donna

A Little Story About My Life (What I Know of It)

January 13, 2008

My name is Sarah, I am told that I am somewhere around 1 to 1-1/2 years of age and I weigh approximately 60#. I am told that I should weigh about 100 to 110 pounds. Right now I am missing most of the hair on my back and on my sides. I have also been told that this is due to the neglect that I suffered under the hands of a very bad person who owned me before. Before I came to my Foster family I lived my life in a crate. I had to sleep, eat and go to the bathroom in my crate. I had poop caked on me so badly that I had sores and this is why I do not have hair but it is starting to grow in. Right now I am very timid and even the smallest things frighten me. I was not given the opportunity as a young dog to see the world and so I am just now discovering it. I will take a little while to learn all that I need to about the world. Right now, even walking in the woods and having a squirrel running through the trees makes me drop to the ground and cower. I also run and cower to the floor when my Foster mom walks up to me. You see, I am quite unsure of what awaits me, as I have not been shown kindness before and I am expecting people to be mean to me. Even after all this neglect and hurt, I do still want to be loved by someone, so when my Foster mom comes over and rubs me I trust again and I will give her the sweetest kisses and look at her with my adoring bully eyes.

Well, that is what I think you should know about me and so for the rest of the blog I will let my Foster mom tell you about my progress day by day.

I have posted a photo of me. This is how I came to my foster mom. She will post pictures of me as I progress.

Sara