Storytime Tapestry Newsletter

The newsletter devoted to spreading love and cultural awareness throughout the world.

Special Treat – Peggy Ellingson

Sept 24, 2006

Today we welcome Peggy Ellingson, writer # 359 to Storytime Tapestry.  After you read her wonderful story, you will agree that she is a wonderful asset to our most gifted writers here in the Storytime Tapestry world rainbow. Please email her and let her now how you feel about her story.

I was quite surprised when I received the newsletter last night to find Taijah's & my story - actually caught off-guard so the tears flowed again.  I have received so many emails from others in rescue, including people I already know but didn't know they subscribed to petwarmers.  These furkids bring such joy to my life and even though I have proudly flunked Fostering 101, I can't turn my back on those that need help.

Yes, Taijah was my heart-dog and I miss her dearly...but I also know & feel she is still here taking care of us like she did so well.

I would love to submit my story and will definitely visit your site.

Again, thank you,

My Sweet Baby Girl

I still remember that morning of Dec. 30, 1999 reading the “Found” ad in the paper of a stray female Lhasa Apso that was taken to the local shelter on Dec. 26, 1999.  I had moved into my first home in June and couldn’t wait to add a dog to my already “full” home of 4 cats.  I had the fenced yard and couldn’t wait to finally add my first “own” dog to my home.  Growing up, we always had multiple pets and I loved dogs, but living in apartments and commuting so far to work, I knew I couldn’t give one the perfect home – now I had that opportunity.

This was one of the “breeds” I was interested in for no other reason than the size and “they were cute”.  I called the shelter when they opened and found out she was still “unclaimed” and would be available after 11:30 a.m. when her “stray hold” was up.  I informed my boss I needed to take an early lunch and may be a bit longer than usual – I was adopting a dog.  I knew, as I drove to the shelter, she would be coming home with me – no matter what.

When I arrived I was directed to “Stray Lane” but couldn’t find her!  Oh no, did someone get there before me??  No … when I walked through again, there amidst all the noise and dogs begging for attention, huddled at the back of a “HUGE” kennel was a mass of black & white fur.  I asked a volunteer if I could take her somewhere a bit quieter and we were lead to the kitchen/lunch room area.  What I had before me was the most matted, tiny, stinky little girl, but all I could see was her beautiful brown eyes and we bonded immediately.  She even ignored the 2 cats wandering all over the room vying for attention of someone new!  This little girl was coming home with me, my mind was made up – I even had a new name for her - Taijah.

I completed the necessary paperwork, bought some supplies and we headed to the nearest “beauty parlor” to find out just what was under all that mess.  After work I picked up the prettiest little shih tzu with red bows on her ears and sporting her new collar – looking like a totally different dog than what I dropped off.  From the moment she came home, she was a perfect little girl.  Once she learned that “squeaky toys” were fun and she always met me at the door with one in her mouth.  Food & treats were the best and there were always plenty of both on hand – including the toppings from my pizza!  She didn’t have a problem sharing our home with the cats, as long as she had her spot on the bed, or on the couch with me holding her or rubbing her belly.

Not long after Taijah came home, I adopted another shih tzu, Dolly, from the same shelter and then it started…I got involved with rescue.  One more into the home, then another, along with fosters, Taijah was the “mama” to every one of them.  She lovingly accepted every pup coming into our home and helped them feel welcome with a good ear & face bath, until they moved on to their new families.  She stood by my side as “foster mom” for 4 years, welcoming the new ones,  always patient with me when things got a bit overwhelming and always on the bed, by my side.

Everyone commented over the years, about her personality, her patience, her “perfect-ness”, always wanting to know where I “got” her and “how old is she?”…Well a perfect lady never tells her real age, so we always left that to a guess, but the other part of the story, I always proudly shared. 

Earlier this year, Taijah really wasn’t looking or acting like herself…was she getting “old”, was she sick, combination of both?  Tests were run, guesses were made, it could be the thyroid, could be Cushings Disease, could be cancer…where do we begin?  We started at the beginning, but there was no change in her health, no matter what we tried and she was only getting worse.  She would still greet me at the door, but no squeaky toy was in her mouth.  She would beg for the pizza topping, but the would drop it, with no interest at all. 

Then came our last weekend together.  Not realizing it, I headed off Saturday morning to pick up our newest foster pups and brought them home.  When I returned, total chaos was a part of it, and even though Taijah welcomed them, I knew something was not right.  Things had been getting harder for her; the 3 steps to the yard, finding something to perk up her appetite, more meds, I just kept hoping that something would work.  By Monday morning, after I had just spent the early hours holding her and telling her how much I loved her and to please get better, I knew there was nothing more I could do.  With the heaviest heart I could have, I helped her with her journey to the Rainbow Bridge.  Our 6 ? years together were not enough, but no matter how selfish I wanted to be, I couldn’t let her continue to suffer as she was, she needed me to allow her to leave.

Within 2 days I received an email from our local shelter about a “nasty shih tzu” they knew they couldn’t place on the adoption floor and was there a rescue or alternative I knew of.  I replied that I would work on something and be there to meet her as soon as possible.  One way or another, I would help her get out of there, rather than face the alternative.  Due to my schedule and the shelter’s hours, I wasn’t able to get there until Friday after work but met “Cujo” Minnie with assistance from an employee there.  We had an agreement that I could bring her home for assessment, just to get her away from that atmosphere where I knew she was scared beyond belief.  When I spoke to my mom later after she asked why I brought her home, I told her that maybe this was something Taijah wanted me to do. 

The night went well, and I picked up her paperwork the next day to help begin the search for her new family.  To my surprise her AKC paperwork was included with everything they gave me.  When I looked at Minnie’s date of birth, I was stunned, it read Dec. 26, 1999 – the EXACT day Taijah was turned into the shelter as a stray!  I had to double check it when I got home, and yes, this was the date…Taijah had her hand in this rescue once again – that I know.  My sweet baby girl made sure that I helped another girl who so desperately needed a mom to take care of her.

God speed and, baby girl, we will be together again one day.  Please take care of all the pups until I get there.  I love you.

Submitted by:

Peggy Ellingson

Peg4tzus@msn.com

A little bit about me…

I am involved with rescue and live in Sioux Falls, SD.  My family consists of 2 elderly cats, Ebony & Maxi, along with Dolly, Jazz , Jozey & Minnie (the shih tzus) and Meiko, Danji & Kimi (my Japanese Chins) and numerous foster pups along the way – which right now is Artie & Sneakers.

Peg