Pure Joy

Whenever I question my sanity for living with a zillion dogs and giving every free minute of my spare time to animal rescue, I point myself to moments like this- moments of pure, unadulterated dog joy.

Brisa and Dibu are a pair of mother-son fluff balls who came to Lost Dog Rescue when a woman came into the PetSmart on an adoption day asking us to take her paralyzed Pekingese. Brisa had no use of her back legs and her rear end was matted and covered in poop. We agreed to take her (thanks Marcia and Peggy) but weren't sure we would be able to do much of anything for her. One that agreement was in place, the woman mentioned that Brisa had a son. Could we take him too? "Why not?" we said. "In for a penny" and all that.

When she returned with Dibu we were shocked. He is at least twice his mother's size and doesn't look much like a Pekingese. When we asked who his father was, we were told, "The neighbor's dog." Ah, well, he was gorgeous and thankfully not paralyzed.

Brisa went straight to the vet on a Saturday night. Xrays revealed a problematic disk in her back-maybe ruptured, maybe just enlarged. She started on steroids and we crossed our fingers.

Once home, Brisa scooted around like a pro. Using only her front legs, she followed me everywhere. For the millionth time, I was grateful for our one-floor living. Within 48 hours Brisa was up on all four legs for brief periods. Within a week, she was walking. Her gait remains odd, but as you can see, our girl can run!

Brisa isn't out of the woods yet. She has had a couple of seizures. The first one we were sure was a Frontline reaction. The second, unexplained. It looks like some neurological testing is in her future and we are hoping and praying to find nothing so she can get spayed and get on with finding a forever home.

What lies ahead for Brisa is unknown except for two certainties: 1- she will get the very best care possible and every chance at an amazing life and, 2- she will chart the territory ahead with her boy Dibu at her side. Momma Brisa and her boy are inseparable and will, no matter what, face life together.

My guess? They'll get through it just fine.