Tess

October 2008

A year ago today, you all rescued Tess (Rizpah). I've tried to imagine how she would describe her world and thought I'd share it with you. (I've also attached a picture of her on the first day I got her and then one taken last weekend up north where she smiled the whole time she ran up and down the beach with complete joy and abandon.)....

A YEAR OF LIBERATION:

"I was dirty, smelly, matted, hungry, my skin itched all the time, and bugs crawled on me and bit me. I had delivered more puppies than I could remember. It was freezing cold in the winter and unbearably hot in the summer. The other dogs and I stayed in cages, all of the time. I saw Humans sometimes but they weren't very nice. I could see their hearts and they were cold .. they didn't care about me or my friends. We didn't trust Humans.
Every day was the same dreary, hopeless existence as the day before. I didn't think it would ever be different.

Then The Human Keeper decided I wasn't of any use to her anymore. I didn't know what I'd done wrong but she took me from all of my friends and put me on a table in a place where other Humans had old furniture, books, clothes..junk. She told strangers walking by that she would trade whatever they had for me. I felt so bad.

So, a year ago today, three courageous HALO Rescuers took me from the Keeper. They said I didn't have to have puppies any more and they would find me a nice "home". I couldn't imagine what they meant. I lived with 2 Fosters for a while. I don't remember much about those places. I was so scared and confused. I remember I tried to run away from the first place, but I didn't know where I'd go, so I went back. I know the Fosters were nice and took good care of me but I was afraid to trust them. What if the Keeper came back to get me?

I was just starting to feel safe in my 2nd Foster home when a Human came and took me away. This Human said she was going to be my "mom" and that she was taking me "home" to live forever. She said I was starting a new life so I needed a new name and she was going to call me "Tess". She promised I'd always have lots of good things to eat, warm beds to sleep in, toys, a yard to play in and a "brother" to keep me company. She said she understood if I was scared, she'd be patient and always take care of me and always love me. I didn't understand what she meant and she looked like the Keeper so I knew I couldn't trust her. I was so scared it made me sick to my stomach - so I threw up on this "Mom".

Since then, it's been really hard. But good hard. I've had to learn about everything like I was a new puppy. Mom says that's okay, I can take my time.She said I have "issues" (where does she find these words?) because of my past. She says I'm like a flower blossoming. I don't know what she's talking about, I'm a dog, not a flower, but maybe you'll understand.

Mom asked me if there were things I liked about this new life....
None of these things came easily, but every day I learn something new and good.
* I think my favorite thing is when we first wake up in the morning and I snuggle up real close to Mom and go back to sleep. She scratches my back,behind my ears, and my belly. I LOVE CUDDLING!
* No, my favorite thing is getting fed. Every day! Twice a day!! It's amazing, Mom never forgets. All she ever asks is that we "sit" first and wait for her to say it's okay. If I'd known that's all it took. I LOVE MEALTIME!
* Maybe my favorite thing is to follow Mom around the house. She does some silly things, but that's okay. She talks to me all the time and she'll even stop to pet me sometimes. I LOVE FOLLOWING MOM AROUND!
* Oh, my really favorite thing is our daily walks. We get to walk the same path every morning so Cody & I can check all of the pee-mails and leave our own messages. Then after dinner, we go to different places for our walks. It's so much fun. Sometimes we go in the car to a park or new neighborhood. I LOVE GOING IN THE CAR! I LOVE OUR WALKS!
* When Mom leaves in the morning Cody and I get special treats. We race around the house finding all the treats Mom left. I get more treats than Cody most of the time because I'm smarter. I run to say "Bye" to mom but then I hurry back to grab treats. I LOVE WHEN MOM GOES TO WORK!
* Cody & I spend our days relaxing. We sleep wherever we want, we play some and we watch out the big window and bark at everyone who goes by. I LOVE BARKING!
* I know when Mom is supposed to arrive home, so I watch out the window. When she opens the door, I give her kisses and she tells me how happy she is to see me, asks about my day, and scratches me all over. It feels so good. I LOVE WHEN MOM COMES HOME!
* Sometimes we visit with other Humans and other dogs. To start with the dogs scared me and the people scared me even more. But if any of the dogs get too rough with me, Cody steps in and protects me. If I ask, Mom picks me up and holds me. And the Humans really aren't so bad. They're hearts are all good. They want to pet me and hold me and they tell me I'm beautiful and they want a dog just like me. Can you imagine! Sometimes we roll in dead worms. That's really my favorite thing. I LOVE DEAD WORMS!
* In the evenings Mom brushes me. To start with I'd run & hide. Now, it feels good and I like looking pretty. I LOVE BEING BRUSHED!
* I love lying on the warm patio stones in the sun. I love sleeping on a huge pile of soft blankets. I love bully sticks! I love snuggling with Mom or Cody in the evening. Sometime I even love teasing Cody and running as fast as I can through the house. I LOVE MAKING MOM LAUGH!

A year ago nobody cared about me. Now I have this Mom who feeds me, brushes, me talks to me, protects me, takes me on adventures, and follows me around to pick up my poop. Imagine! She says I'm a "Princess." She tells me that enjoying the little things in life are what makes us happy. I'm beginning to believe her!

Sometimes I think about that old life and wonder if the other dogs were able to get away. They deserve it too. But I have to admit, sometimes I just think...

Oh, if my friends could see me now!"

Tess

From email

Sun, 22 Jun 2008

Yesterday was the 6 month anniversary of Tess becoming part of my family. In celebration we had a Hav Pup Party! (3 people and their Havs from the Havanese Forum). I wanted to send you a couple of photos to see what a difference 6 months has made.

When I got her, Tess looked like a little squirrel. Carolyn and Bob did a wonderful job with her and yet she still only weighed about 7 pounds. Her little hip bones and rib bones were sticking out and she was afraid of everything (including me).

She's now a dainty, reserved, little Hav, weighing in at 11 pounds. She still doesn't like to interact with many dogs or people but she clearly enjoys life and isn't afraid to let you know what she wants. She loves to go on walks, ride in the car, roll in the grass (especially if there's something smelly!), and bark at everyone walking by the front door.

While she'd tell you she'd prefer to be an only dog, she's very attached to Cody (my 2-year old male, Coton de Tulear I adopted 7.5 months ago.) She chases him through the house, nips at his butt, steals his chewie and then hides under the table where he won't follow.

Tess on the day I brought her home.

The second is Tess & Cody playing in the yard.

one of my favorite pictures of "The Princess"
And the one with with pot of flowers is from today.

If you needed any encouragement, I hope these pictures let you know you're doing a great thing.
Best Regards,

Jill

(Click in the pictures to see larger)