Running through the field of clover, I am in pursuit of that kitty cat 'Misty Moonshine.' She stops in her tracks, and looks back at me...twitching that tail, as if taunting me...allowing me time to catch up with her. I'm getting closer..and...closer...I bound ever forward, my legs carrying me as fast as they can...
I wake up and slowly roll over in bed. My first thought of the day will be of her, hoping she had a good nights rest, and dreams full of well...whatever it is that dogs dream about. I look over at her lying in her bed. 'Baby' is still sleeping, and must be having a good dream, as her little limbs are twitching, almost as if she is running. I lay there amazed at what it is she could be dreaming about, and wonder if running indeed could be a part of them. I will let her sleep and enjoy that dream for as long as she can, knowing in my heart, it is my dream for her as well. I look at her sleeping body. She is beautiful! She is perfect! Well, she is until you come to her legs...for our little Baby was born with only one leg to speak of. The others vary in length, and in use. The two on her upper body come down just about to where her first knuckle or knee would be, then they dissolve into nothingness. Then in the back, she has her one full size leg, and then on the other side, only a little flap. I often wonder what had happened to her Mama, that she was born like this? I wonder who took care of her, and how did she nurse when first-born, etc? But, I guess we will
never know, and all that is part of the mystery, and part of what makes our little 'Baby' so unique and special.
I remember the day her picture was emailed to me, and the plea that had gone out from the Shelby County Humane Society where she had been brought, looking for a home for her. I looked into those big brown eyes, and it was love at first sight! Full of personality, the email had read. First elation, when Crystal told me that we could adopt her, then worry how I would take care of such a special dog. Not having any experience in such matters, how would I know to do everything right? Worrying all the way to meet Crystal and pick up Baby that day were fears unfounded the moment Crystal placed this little six week old bundle of love in my arms. Looking at her, other than the obvious, she was just like all our other precious little ones, and there I knew was the key as to how I would take care of her...just like all the other dogs. 'Don't tell Baby she is handicapped', Crystal says, 'she doesn't realize it yet'. I won't tell her, I
promise, and we hug and part ways along with my promise that we will do everything in our power to help Baby get up and be able to walk on her own. And this morning, as I watch her sleep, I am reminded of all those promises I made, and thankful to have such a precious one entrusted in our care.
I wake up, and Mama is there watching me ... 'Good Morning Baby' she says 'did you have a nice dream??' What were you dreaming about little one? Were you on your way, going to town?' She then brings me a bowl of fresh water, and I wonder how in the world she knows I am so thirsty when I first wake up? After a long drink, Mama gathers me up in her arms and we go outside to do...well, you know! The grass is wet from last nights rain, and all the smells and sound of the birds are wonderful! 'Sorry about the wet grass', Mama says, as she places me down on the ground. Several other dogs gather round to say 'good morning'...then dart off to play their games. Mama sits down on the steps, not letting me too far out of sight. I love to be outside! It is where I am the happiest! Mama knows this, and takes me out as often as she can. I do my business, and then scoot around to take in the morning and catch every sight & scent. It is a little foggy this morning, and dew has captured every blade of grass and making every spider's web visible. I take in everything, and then look over at Mama...I see her wipe away a tear, and I wonder what in the world she could be thinking...
I remember it wasn't too long after we got Baby, we had reached out, even emailing her picture to everyone we thought might be able to help her. Most responses & suggestions we received were encouraging, some were not. One professor from a local university thought that Baby had nothing to work with, with only one leg. Feared that she would only end up as a 'lap baby' for her whole life, and it was his recommendation that she be put to sleep. Though the words seemed harsh, and made us cry that day, with the tears, also had come the determination for us to keep on trying even harder. Surely there must be something that can be done for her. I look over at Baby...if she were sad, or the least bit depressed...but she is none of those things. She is so happy, and greets each day the same with a great outlook on life. She is loved by everyone she meets. If only I could face life like Baby...if only I could overcome obstacles like she has, and keep on going. There
are days when I'm not sure who rescued whom...as she lifts me up, and gives me hope that today will be a better day, and there is hope for whatever problems may arise. I watch Baby as a yellow butterfly catches her eye, and off she goes. She has built up amazing upper body strength, and can take off like the wind. She does get around pretty well, and can do pretty much whatever it is she makes up her mind to do. She plays well with the other dogs, and they have accepted her as she is... isn't that just like a dog? She eats well, and heaven help you if you have a banana Popsicle and don't share it with her. We have noticed that the larger and heavier she grows, the more strength she needs to pull her body, and this
outside excursion will soon tire her, and she must stop and rest.
'Come on Baby, let's go back inside where it's cool! You are getting so big', Mama says, giving me a kiss, and picks me up and we climb the stairs together, and back into the house. She lays me on my favorite bed that Crystal gave me, and then Mama goes into her office and begins her day doing some 'K9 paperwork' as she calls it. In two seconds, I am off of my bed and have scooted up the hallway to peek around the corner. There she is. That feline 'Misty Moonshine'. There she sits, that unpretentious kitty cat, so cool and with her back to me, eating her breakfast, just crunching away, without a care in the world! I'll fix that, and make my advance forward. I round the corner, and then that Misty turns, hisses at me, swats that tail, and jumps up in her bed where she knows I can't get her. Isn't that just like a kitty cat! I scoot over to her bowl and finish every last bite of her breakfast. Isn't that just like a doggie? Ha! Mama is typing away on her computer...and I stop and wonder what in the world she could be writing?
'Dear Doggon Wheels, We got your package today, and words are not enough to say thank you for your kind gift to Baby. We have been discouraged of late, trying several different avenues that came up short for her, and your kind gift could not have come at a better time. Your gift of the Quad Wheelchair will help Baby be able to move and get around, and we can't thank you enough!' I stop typing and look over at Baby staring up at the kitty cat. How she loves that cat! My heart is filled with high hopes for her...it has been my dream and prayer for her since the day she was placed in my arms for her to be able to get up and walk, and today, I see that dream coming true for her! I can picture her taking off in her new wheelchair...leaving us mere mortals behind in her dust. I see her now being able to run and play like all the other dogs. I see her in the future, going and visiting handicapped children, or the elderly, giving them hope and a bit of happiness that only a little one like Baby could give. This will surely open a whole new world for her. I couldn't help but be thankful to the people that had now made that a possibility for her. Doggon Wheels, a company that helps little ones like Baby be able to walk, and to enjoy living just a little bit better. I bless the day that I found them, and knowing what a pleasure it had been to work with them, and now this wonderful gift they have given us, just for Baby.
Mr. Larry walks in carrying a very large box, and sets it down in the living room. 'Baby, we have a little surprise for you today', Mama says, and gathers me up in her arms and we go and join him. 'I am so excited', Mama says as Mr. Larry sets out his tools. The box is opened, out comes some papers, some wheels, some straps, some metal things. I scoot over and take in all the sights and smells. 'Somebody loves our little Baby' Mama says giving me a kiss, and tells me how all of this is mine. 'This is for Baby, made just for Baby, she says, this is Baby's new car!' I can feel her excitement. 'This will help our Baby be able to get up and walk.'
I gather the instructions in my mouth, and then try to make lots of little pieces with it, but Mama takes it away from me, telling me Mr. Larry might need them. A half hour later my car is all assembled and ready. 'Now Baby, don't be scared' Mama says and lifts me up and gently sits me inside. Ok, I was a little scared at first, and I cry and bolt, but Mama takes me out right away. 'We'll just take it a little at a time, Baby', Mama says. A little later she puts me back in my new car, and now I am ok. We take a little ride slowly, all around the living room. Hey, this is kind of cool...I can see the world up a little higher, and I'm not scared anymore. 'This is Baby's new car' Mama says...you'll be able to get up and around now baby. Now you can use your one good leg to push yourself, and it will get stronger and you will soon figure all this out...and I'll be right here beside you every step of the way'...and I know she will. As I take my first faltering steps, I thank Mama, and all the people that I know have reached out to help me. I am now on my way.
Later that night, after supper, Mama lays me gently in my bed. 'Good night Baby' she says giving me a kiss. 'Today was a big day wasn't it? It was a good day for Baby! Many dreams & prayers have come true today!' She lays her hand on my head as I close my eyes, drifting off into doggie-land dreams. In my dreams, I am now in my new car, racing through the field of clover, wheels spinning, dust flying!! Lookout yellow butterflies...lookout kitty cats...you are no match for me now!! Chasing that elusive Misty Moonshine...we come to the top of the hill. She looks back at me...she is twitching that feline tail...and I am getting closer...then closer...ever closer...my new doggie wheels carrying me as fast as they can.
