Tuesday, August 7, 2018

Tuesday Tails: Super Senior Sweet Sophie Soprano

Col. Potter Cairn Rescue network has rescued nearly 4,500 dogs since 2001. Imagine how many laughs and tears those pups have brought to our readers! We want to hear about it. We want to hear about the funny times, the happy times, and times of greatness (yay pup!).

Every Tuesday this blog will focus on YOUR stories about your Col. Potter pups. Please send your submissions, maximum 750 words, to cpcrnblog@gmail.com. Attach photos as separate (not embedded) jpg or png files. (We reserve the right to edit for clarity and grammar.) 

Today, we share the story of super senior Sweet Sophie Soprano, who was adopted by Terri Bruno. Like many of the Col. Potter rescues, we don’t know her exact age but vets estimate she is between 17 and 19 years old.

Sweet Sophie Soprano


Sophie came to CPCRN as the 3rd little one of Three Tenors group. There's "no doubt" Sophie’s strong constitution had kept her alive through a terrible early life in “one of the worst mills ever,” Terri says.

“To my knowledge, upon intake they were just in a horrible mess,” Terri explains. “Sophie weighed less than six pounds, she was entirely covered in ticks, and she had two dead pups in her tiny belly.”

If CPCRN hadn't rescued her, she surely would have died, but foster mom Pam Vojtas did everything she could to nurse her back to health.

Rescued pups like Sophie don’t get the love they need only from their humans. So many times, companion dogs seem to understand what their less fortunate rescued pups are dealing with, as well. Terri adopted Sophie to be a companion playmate to her pup Baby D, but she quickly learned that wouldn't happen -- at least not in the way they expected. They never play together like typical cairns, but they do have their sisterly traditions.

“Sophie allows Baby D to ask for play, every single night. Baby D will bark obnoxiously in Sophie’s face, and Sophie obligingly snaps back – ‘stop it!’ It’s been their little nightly ritual since our Sweet Sophie arrived.”

Like so many rescued pups, Sophie still deals with the trauma of her pre-rescue life, even though she’s been with Terri for almost 11 years. For instance, she trembles when she hears the clicking wheel sound when “Wheel of Fortune” is on TV. Is it because her puppy mill owners ran sticks back and forth against the dogs’ cages?

“Even after all these years, she will still occasionally run from me as though I’ve decided I’m finally going to abuse her like the mills did,” Terri says.


Terri has faced a myriad of health challenges with Sophie.

“My little one has beaten death more times than I could tell you. My vet calls her the bionic Toto. She’s allergic to everything but air! Liver disease, gallbladder disease, bad kidneys… and now cancer.”

“The sweetest thing in the world, these days, is to see Sophie run to greet me at the door, tail wagging! Honestly, Sophie is the SWEETEST, happiest, little dog I’ve ever had.”

5 comments:

  1. I am blessed to be both Sophie's and Baby D's honorary Auntie. Sophie is GORGEOUS and a true princess. Baby D is truly one who thinks EVERYTHING is about HER. I love these little girlies just like I love their MOM!
    Thanks for publishing this sweet update.
    Boston Chris

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  2. Awww. Very heartwarming.

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  3. ...Wonderful story! Bless you sweet Sophie. and of course, all your loving care-givers. Thank God for Col. Potter Cairn Rescue!

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