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Friday, January 11, 2013

Chihuahua Rescue

Pedro
The little guy I found outside my back door a couple of weeks ago.
I told you he was cute.
After running an ad on Craigslist and in the local paper and several other lost dog sites...
no one came forward to claim him.

But a fellow blogger, Lindsey of 
wrote me soon after I posted about finding the little dog saying she'd gladly take him if I couldn't find the owner.
I checked out her blog and quickly fell in love with her little one eyed chihuahua, Piggy.
After a long drive in the cold rain the other night...Pedro now lives with Piggy in Tulsa.
I'd been calling him Possum because I feared he was a Possum the night my dogs found him.

Don't they make a cute couple?
Piggy and Pedro

I didn't tell you but the morning of my Mom's open heart surgery, I was late getting to 
the hospital because I'd taken this little guy to my vet to board him while I searched for his owner.

Mom knew I was going to be a little late...I'd called her that morning.

So I drop him at my vet and then race across town to the Heart Hospital.
I rush in the door and ask to be taken to wherever my Mom is preparing for her heart surgery.

I looked like the worst daughter ever.

My Mom came to the hospital at 9 and was suppose to have surgery about noon.
I got there about 9:30.

After a few inquiries and walks around the hospital..
I was directed to a room where they were prepping Mom.

I rushed in..."Sorry, I'm late."

Mom said, "That's fine."

One of the nurse's helpers that was getting Mom ready asked if I'd had a hard time getting away from work.

"No", I said "I had to take a stray dog to the vet before I came here this morning."

I explained I'd found the dog on my porch the night before.

The nurse's assistant said,
"Girl! You put some stray dog ahead of your Mom?"

I said..."I didn't have a choice. He would have froze to death if I'd left him out."
"I called Mom and told her what was going on and that I'd be a little late."

Mom said...
"It's fine...she knew where I was and that I was going to be ok. 
She needed to make sure the dog would be ok."

The nurse still looked perplexed and judgmental.
She said, "I'm sorry. I'd just have left him. You had other things to take care of other than some stray."

I then thought..."Do I want this woman taking care of my Mom? 
She seems to be lacking in compassion."

Mom later told me that she thought the same.

Mom and I laugh about it now, how I was late for her surgery...because I put the welfare of 
a stray dog before her's.

Just a few days before I'd said to her that she was my number one priority. 
Nothing else mattered, only her getting better.
No thing or person would interfere with my devotion to her.

Then just like two days later...I call and say..
"You are my number one priority BUT.....
I found this dog......

So basically, she was number one until a dog came along.

Yes, we are laughing about it now...how she was my number one priority but I'd throw her over for any dog on the street.

It was all fine...
I knew she was in good hands. I just couldn't live with myself if I hadn't helped that little dog.

And now Pedro is happily living with three other chihuahuas in Tulsa.

Lindsey wrote me this morning to tell me he was doing just fine.
The others like him and he likes to eat pancakes!

I have to say I was falling in love with him while he was here.
He was a sweetie.
I assured Lindsey that if anything went wrong not to hesitate to call me and I'd come get him in a heartbeat.

It's a good thing she offered to take him so quick... a few days with me and I wouldn't have been
able to give him up.



24 comments:

Katie @ Wildwood Creek said...

My guess is that nurse has never had pets. Unless you've been a pet owner, it's impossible to know how a pet becomes a member of the family. You have a very big heart with plenty of room for your mom AND furry critters. So good to hear Pedro found a wonderful home.

An Urban Cottage said...

I can't believe someone would lose a dog and not move heaven and earth to find them. I've wondered since the minute you first mentioned it if someone who couldn't care for him dropped him off knowing you would see he was taken care of. And you did. I'm glad he's gone to someone who will love him.

Razmataz said...

I think the nurse should have given you credit for finding a good solution fast and getting to the hospital just a few minutes late. You were in no danger of missing your mum going to surgery so you had lots of time. I agree with Urban Cottage. Perhaps someone who sees how you love your dogs left him as they couldn;t care for him. A lot of people struggle with the cost of pets now with loss of jobs and houses. Otherwise they would surely be looking for him.

You're a good person. I am sure too, you were out of pocket placing that little guy at the vets.

Deserae said...

I'm glad everything worked out and Pedro found a good home with sweet siblings!!!! I would have done the exact same thing if I were in your position! We often have lost dogs show up on our doorstep. I think they can just sense when it is a safe place. So far we have been able to find all of the lost dogs their owners.....
Have a great weekend
~Des

Pam @ Frippery said...

I'm sorry but a nurse who doesn't understand caring for a lost creature, even a canine lost creature, is lacking compassion somewhere in her heart. The nurse should have been more compassionate of you and your mothers feelings and not made such an uncaring statement as if she knew anything about you and your mom's relationship.
So happy that sweet little Pedro possum has a new loving home and all is well with your mom.
Hugs, Pam

Adam Hazlett said...

Pedro is a very cute chihuahua! I'm glad he found a new happy home. I always hear stories about nurses that say just enough to upset people. Don't pay it any mind, they have a hard job and for some there's no room for compassion. We can all just hope that kind of nurse is not going to be our primary care giver.

Unknown said...

Oh, please do not beat yourself up over not being there RIGHT at 9 for your mom. That nurse was out of line saying what she said to you. I have an unfortunately large amount of personal, and family, experience with hospitals and surgeries and the only people who could really be helpful right at 9 WERE the nurses.
You did great. Your mom understood. She is the number one priority in your life but dogs, animals in general, are pretty helpless and not prone to understanding what's going on.
You did the right thing and your mom is ok and everything turned out well.

Jan Hermann said...

What a sweet story, Nita. ♥

Debby said...

So glad that Pedro has a nice new home. He would have been hard to part with.
Can't believe that nurse. That was none of her business......she must not have pets. It's not like you missed her surgery, geez.
Glad your mother is doing so well.

Nita Stacy said...

I wasn't really upset by the nurse...she was actually the nurses helper...I don't know what those are called. I was just surprised at her attitude and that she didn't understand that I did have my priorities straight. I was just going to do the right thing in both instances.

As for money out on boarding Pedro. Yep...now I have a $250 boarding bill at the vet to pay. I think I might do something special here on the blog to raise money to pay it. Like make something I'll raffle off or I don't know...something.....

Right now the latest emergency this morning is the sewer is backing up! One thing after another...truly.

The Visual Vamp said...

I love you Nits.
Glad your mom is recovering well.
Say a prayer for that nurse that she doesn't get reincarnated as a stray, cold, lost, scared little dog found by her ha ha.
Pedro and Piggy. True love.
You made my day.
xo xo

Dewena said...

I love a happy ending! Bless you for taking such good care of all the loved ones in your life.

Cindi Myers said...

I agree with Steve and Razmataz. I thought right away that someone probably dropped the little guy in your yard because they knew you would take care of him.
And you did.
How rude of that nursing assistant person to say that to you! You did not put the dog first, you were there when you were needed and it's nobody elses business.
You are such a sweetheart, someone else might have reported her for criticizing you like that. She was completely out of line.
Glad that your mom is doing so well and also that you found such a great home for the little guy.
(sorry about the sewer.)
xoxo - Cindi

Unknown said...

Any true animal lover would have understood immediately! I love a happy ending to a stray animal story! AND a happy ending to your Mom's surgery story! We'll see you and your Mom in February.

Donna-s Lair said...

That nurse had zero compassion....how dare she judge you in front of your Mother. Sounds like she s burned out. Your mom raised a loving compassionate daughter. You should be a nurse! :-)

Debra@CommonGround said...

I can just see guardian angels taking Pedro to your door. they knew who would help him. Nita, don't let someone make you second guess your actions. Your mom knows you and understands your love for God's little creatures.

Unknown said...

What was wrong with that nurse. It was not like you could save the dog or your mother. Being a few minutes late that had no consequences for your mother verses letting a dog die. That is a no brainer. If my daughter made that choice I would be proud of her just like I am proud of you. I am glad to read he has a great home.
Hope your mom is doing well.
Traci

Anonymous said...

First, Pedro is adorable! It's funny when I read the post about you finding the dog on the day of your mother's surgery it was the first time visiting your blog. And after reading that I was sure of one thing.... you have a great heart! I saw that story as not a person putting a dog over their mother but a good daughter still being a guardian angel to a helpless creature.
You know your heart, and your mom and Pedro know your heart and more importantly God knows your heart.
I would suggest that the poor nurse put a stethoscope up to hers and give it a good check....but that would be ugly and then I would feel guilty about it later... so I won't say that.
Have a great weekend... you deserve it!

Unknown said...

I agree that the nurse was lacking in compassion. You didn't miss anything by being late! Your mom knows you, knows your heart, and knew you would be with her asap! You are a good egg ; o )

Twinkle Terrior said...

Nita, you are my HERO! Finding a sweet home for Pedro! I know he will be happy in his new home with Piggy oxox

Unknown said...

I, too, was late for my mom's heart bypass surgery. My little boy's cat was fine the night before, but by the morning of my mom's surgery, I had to rush the cat to my vet, then go to the hospital. Both survived and lived a long time after that day.

Bliss said...

You really did a good deed at a time it would of been much easier to do the opposite. That's what makes it all the nicer.

Bliss

Eppie Doodle said...

Nita, you are such a responsible and caring person, both for your Mom and Pedro. So sad to see someone so judgmental about your own personal situation. Glad all of you are doing well.

Emily

Anonymous said...

It would be nice if life was black and white and all our decisions were clear cut. But it's usually not that way. The best we can do is follow our hearts and conscience. Your mother is a kind person who, like you, understands these difficult conundrums. When I went thru menopause something happened to me--I had to stop for every stray dog I came across. But the blessings in my life have been immeasurable. I'm so glad you did what you did. xoxo, Allegra