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