Pearl, A Fine & Rare Treasure

Previously written June 27, 2008

Help!!! We are at a loss!!! We recently adopted a new doggy-girl (white poodle) who had been living in a puppy mill for several years. She'd been bred since she had her first heat-cycle and as a result had been going into "false pregnancies" each time she went into season and was no longer producing puppies. I'd seen her alone on the streets for a couple of months and one particular night I was driving home from the market and saw her out by the street again. She was in front of the same house I'd seen her at before, so I stopped my car and this is where the journey began.
The girl who answered the door when I knocked said, "Yes, that was their dog and I could have it if I wanted it." When her mother came to the door, she explained in Spanish (the girl) that I as asking about the dog and she'd said I could take her. "You said you didn't want her anymore...", the girl told her.
The woman said yes I could and that the dog bit them anyway, so I was free to take her home if I'd wanted. She also added that I should have seen the puppies she'd just sold.
Next day, I decide I want the dog. Called the groomer and begged them to stay late on a Saturday afternoon. Picked up the matted, mystery breed from the filthy backyard holding pen where they kept her and several others looking every bit as sad as she did.
Incidentally, the dog never bit me as I held her while my husband drove us to the groomers. Later at the groomers we picked her up, she (groomer) announced she (dog) was indeed a Poodle.
We brought her home. She continued to be very cautious and wary around me (a woman) but completely at ease with my husband. We had her spayed a week ago and since then she's been really nervous and she has begun to urinate all over the house. Gone are the constant trips out the doggy door like she did the first week we had her. She seemed to pick up potty etiquette quite well until she had her little surgery.
Anyhow, we have an appointment with the vet tomorrow, hope they can shed some light on this new development in our lives with Pearly.
Yes we sometimes long for the easy, pee-free days when Johnny was the only game in town; but Pearly is precious and she just needs a lot of love. She's never known that and she deserves it. Pray for us and I'll soon post pix of our Pearly. Just as soon as her surgery scar heals and I can bathe her that is. Rose
P.S. You should see my husband's sleepy and cranky imitation of Pearly making licking noises and whining sounds as she tries to wake him up. He's a saint! He's never said, "I told you so," even though he did!
Update: It's been nearly a year since this blog was written and I am thrilled to say my Pearly has flourished on a steady diet of hugs, kisses, and compliments from her momma and daddy. She is fully potty trained, her body is healthy and no longer bears signs of the ravages of abuse and over breeding. She one of the sweetest parts of my day; and the happy, confident, playful little girl she was always meant to be.