Bringing home a true Master Piece – our Mona Lisa… by mutt mom Rachael:
From a human perspective twelve years old is an age frame that is prepubescent. It’s a time where most kids are actively gearing up for their teen years, which includes reading boy band celebrity gossip, getting the low down of what a pimple is and generally preparing themselves for a long, lively, future ahead of them. Unfortunately, in many people’s opinions, the term “lively,” and “twelve” in regards to canines, are in no ways connected. That was the case when we rescued our twelve year old doxie Ginger, nearly two years ago. Her former owners, “thought she’d be dead already,” and as a result, took her to the nearest pound to get her off their hands. Luckily, someone saw enough sass and sweetness within her to take her from a seemingly unfortunate situation, to one with opportunity for an improved future. My husband and I, were lucky enough to be that future.
Ginger enjoyed napping mostly, and when she wasn’t burrowed in our bed, she was begging for seconds at dinnertime. Unlike her previous owner’s impression of her, she was anything but knocking on deaths door, and in fact, kept us going with her endless need of an arm to toss her beloved squeaker balls. When she got sick December of this past year, it was a heart wrenching experience. After we exhausted all of our options to remedy her situation, and she crossed over the rainbow bridge on Christmas day, my husband and I were sobbing in devastation. The feeling equated to what I imagine it is like when losing a close member of the family. In fact, she was our family-she was our kid. And I would give anything to throw a squeaker ball for her, even just one more time. Being her dog mom, was hands down, one of the most rewarding experiences of my life.
After some time and much conversation, we both decided the best way to honor Ginger’s life was to rescue another senior dog. A friend mentioned Muttville to us, and we did a bit of research. We went in with the intention of meeting a specific dog we had our eye on. The commonly known line, “sometimes, life doesn’t work out the way you planned,” was emphasized while we visited the doggie loft at Muttville. My husband was shown Violet, formerly known as Mona Lisa, a furry strawberry blonde terrier, who was tucked into an office because she indulges in jumping. And boy did she jump-right into my husbands lap. Before we knew it, we were signing paperwork, and taking our new fur baby home.
When Violet isn’t stealing her cat sibling’s bed, she loves to cuddle. I know you’ve probably heard that as a description for many dogs-but I mean it, she is the epitome of a woman who cries out in desperation in hopes to her hands on her celebrity crush. As a result, My husband and I assume the role of Brad Pitt, naturally irresistible. If she’s unable to spoon us, she will make herself known by rolling in the nook of our necks, as a way of saying “mom hold me, already will ya?!” Her old school class is shown through by her ultimate distaste for technology. Though she is grateful for her pals at Muttville for giving her, and her fellow rescue brothers and sisters, a voice through their social media accounts, she definitely is not on board with the concept. She loathes when my husband and I are on our phones, and constantly nudges us into submission to remind us that she is indeed there to pet. In fact she just swatted her paw at my hands as I typed this up. When we arrive home from a long day at work, she squeals in delight and raises her paws to be picked up and pepper us with kisses as a means to say “did ya miss me, cause it sure feels like you’ve been gone for weeks.”
Though the death of our beloved baby Ging was heartbreaking, it has allowed us the inspiration and openness to love again-and that discovery was made through Violet. When rescuing canines, most people use the phrase “saving a dog,” but in all honesty, she truly saved us.
Sincerely,
Rae (Raechel)
Proud dog mom of Violet (Mona Lisa)
2/25/15
Are you the proud parent of a Muttville dog? Send us your story! Include three of your favorite photos and send it to success_stories@muttville.org with the subject line 'Success Story'.
