Ruby's story

Ruby Red · 10-09-2009, 03:13 AM

I’ve been meaning to write this up for ages - here’s Ruby’s story:

Ruby was used for puppy breeding – she was surrendered into rescue as she lost half her last litter in caesarean and presumably the breeders didn’t want to keep her as there was no money to be made out of her. Here are the pictures of her on the first day we got her – she wouldn’t even look at me when I called her name.

The next day we took her to the vets for a check up - she weighed in at just under 20kg and her heart registered grade 0. One of the conditions of taking her from rescue was that we got her spayed, however, the vet considered it best to defer this because of her low weight. Initially, she refused to eat anything, so we had to blend her food and feed her via a syringe.

Poor Ruby, she was like an adult puppy – not housetrained, didn’t know what sit meant, no recall, just nothing really. She had clearly had very little contact with other dogs - to start with she would either shrink away from them or show herself to them ready for mating [even though she wasn’t in season].

Well, she soon settled in - Jakey was her lifeline really – she would follow him around and copy whatever he did – in fact a lot of the good things Ruby has learnt, she has learnt through watching him. Well, her season came and went, followed by the saddest phantom pregnancy. Poor girl lactated and nursed all the soft toys in the house - it was really pitiful watching her go through it. Just as she came through this, she came down with kennel cough -dear oh dear! This time we took her to a different vet, who listened to her heart and gave us the news that Ruby had a heart murmur – graded 2/3 – whether it had just been missed the first time round or what we cannot know. There followed an ultra sound and ECG with the specialist thankfully concluding that the murmur was to be considered ‘innocent.’

We finally got her spayed and then discovered a lump under her skin on her shoulder. This was later removed and turned out to be a harmless sebaceous cyst.

This just about brings us up to date. It’s been a long journey to get to this point and I really wish I had found this hub during the bad times because the worst part of the journey was not really having anyone to share all the worries with! Never mind! All I can say is that she is the most gorgeous and fantastic dog I have ever had the privilege of adopting. To watch her every day running around and just enjoying herself brings me so much pleasure, and to me, there is truly nothing more satisfying than showing a dog that life is worth living.

KeeperBoy · 10-09-2009, 07:20 AM

Thank you for sharing her story with us! She is beautiful and so lucky to have found you!

Ron · 10-09-2009, 08:07 AM

thanks for sharing. she's very lucky to have such a loving mom

whitedaisy · 10-09-2009, 08:31 AM

(((hug))) What a sad life that poor baby knew before you. It breaks my heart. But, dogs live in the moment and she is so over what happened before! From here on out she has it made. She is precious, her and her buddy Jake!

daisy'smom · 10-09-2009, 09:09 AM

Wow! Thank you for rescuing that wonderful girl. It is so sad that there are so many other "ruby's" out there needing a good mommy like you. You have done a fantastic job with her.

Spyglass Sally · 10-09-2009, 09:55 AM

Love those before & after pics. A picture tells a thousand words - what a change!

Doreen · 10-09-2009, 10:23 AM

I am sitting here typing and crying at the same time after seeing the photos and reading your story.... I just can't believe people can be so cruel as to let them live these kinds of lives, if you can even call that living! I was in a weepy mood too this morning crying tears of joy while looking at Rex filling out and how much fun he was having with Coco. Rex looked as thin as Ruby in the photos his foster mom took of him when she first took him from the shelter.

Ruby is one lucky girl now to have such a caring mom! You did a great job with her!!!

purplelori · 10-09-2009, 12:47 PM

That is a lucky pup for sure! She's gorgeous, and you're a great mom. Once Wally gets a bit older (and better behaved!) we may consider getting him a new playmate (too too soon yet to consider it--a week today since we lost Carli)--and this time FOR SURE it won't be a puppy, but a rescue dog who needs a loving home--and a pesky brother!

Lori & Wally
(missing Carli)

Ruby Red · 10-09-2009, 05:20 PM

Thank you all for your kind comments, they were so lovely to read.

Quote:

Originally Posted by daisy'smom

....It is so sad that there are so many other "ruby's" out there needing a good mommy....

Tanny – It is so sad – I wish I could take them all – it absolutely breaks my heart every time I go round a rescue shelter and see their poor faces and read their stories.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Doreen

.... I just can't believe people can be so cruel as to let them live these kinds of lives, if you can even call that living!

Doreen I am with you there - I just can’t understand how people can treat animals like this – it’s just beyond my imagination. Dogs are so trusting and so loving – how can people do this to them – I just don’t know.......

Quote:

Originally Posted by purplelori

Once Wally gets a bit older (and better behaved!) we may consider getting him a new playmate --and this time FOR SURE it won't be a puppy, but a rescue dog who needs a loving home--and a pesky brother! Lori & Wally (missing Carli)

Lori – I am so happy that you are considering a rescue for the future – when the time is right I’m you’ll find sure a new friend for Wally.

AussieGirl · 10-10-2009, 07:56 AM

Those pictures made me cry

, thank you Stephanie and all you other rescue mums and dads for giving them the love and care they all deserve.