From A Pauper To A Princess - The Journey of a Puppy Mill Dog (Update 5)

We've all followed the journey of Flopsy, also know as Rusty, from the puppy mill to her forever home thanks to her Foster Mom, Karen, one of CPCRN's foster mentors. (To read Rusty's journey from a pauper to a princess written by her Foster Mom click here.) Rusty started the next chapter of her life in January 2008 when she was adopted by her Forever Mom, Sheryl. Not only did Rusty get her chance at "happily ever after" she also got a new name! Rusty is now known as Maisie and lives with her brothers Murry and Micha. Maisie's story continues thanks to updates from her Forever Mom. (To read previous updates click here.)

April 24, 2008 - Maisie update from her Forever Mom

Now that it's almost Spring, our little girl is assuming the guise of 'Squirrel Girl' a true super hero - no squirrel too far away, too small or too high up in a tree. Squirrel Girl could leap tall buildings in a single bound (potentially), but is content to leap around the yard and stare into the trees on the off chance that there will be an up close and personal encounter.

And today, just to spice things up, we had a pair of mallard ducks (male and female) in the yard. We were going out to the car to go to the park, and fortunately, because I know how our little girl has such excellent eyesight, I had a very firm grip on her rope and had it wrapped around my hand several times, so that when she spotted the mallards, she couldn't just bound right over to them. It took me a minute to see what she was seeing. I think the ducks were eating food that had spilled from the bird feeder, but it's quite unusual for them to come up from the beach.

We've been trying something new at the park, now that we've been going there for 3 months and she knows it's safe. I used to tell everyone “don't look at her; don't say her name”. Now they are all talking to her and saying her name so that she can learn no harm comes from that. She gets those really big eyes, but is less fearful.

And, here's an example of something good coming from something that was not good. There is man at the park who carries a bag of treats for his dog, and insists on giving them out to all the other dogs in spite of being asked not to. About 3 weeks ago he gave Murry a treat that lodged in his throat. Poor Murry couldn't swallow, but he was able to breathe. People were suggesting a Heimlich maneuver, fingers down the throat, etc. I was just watching him as he was not very agitated and was trying to swallow. Then one woman came over and said she does 'energy work' with animals, and maybe she could help. I agreed and she put her hands on Murry's back, toward his tail. She gently massaged him for about a minute and then he threw up the treat and his breakfast - and was fine after that. In talking with her I learned that she is a Reiki Master - Reiki is an ancient and traditional form of energy balancing originating in Japan. Anyway, we talked about Maisie and she thought she might be able to help, so this past Monday she came over and gave her a treatment. It was easy, I just held Maisie on my lap, and she gently touched her for about 20 minutes. Maisie didn't mind, although she looked at the woman a couple of times, and then she put her head down and gave a big sigh. I wasn't sure what to expect form this, but thought it was worth trying. I was so surprised the next day when I noticed that Maisie was acting less fearful, and also seemed more relaxed. The next day we got to the park a bit later than usual, so folks were finished with their walks and just visiting at the picnic tables. I went over, and put Maisie up on the table and there were 5 men sitting at the table. I sat right in front of her and even with the men talking and laughing, she wasn't acting afraid - she didn't try to get down, and even looked around a bit at them. So on Saturday she's going to have another treatment.

The other thing that happened after this is that she initiated some play with Murry in the yard. We also had a visitor, a little schnauzer, and she was running with him and Murry a few times.

So, all good things, I think; very small steps, but all progress. Murry seems more interested in her, so that is good. The kitty really likes her, and of course, I'm madly in love with her!

To Be Continued ...

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