"April's" story.

Dear PMR Members and Visitors,

Just a short note before I begin with "April's" story. It has taken me
some time to complete this, as I found it impossible to write about "April"
without including my other two PMR furkids. You see, their stories are all
related, as we are in our family. So after I tell you about "April", I will
continue with some short notes on "Velma" and "Prissy".

The Story of My "April" Love

Hands are frightening, they hurt. Voices are gruff, cold and mean. This
is such an ugly existence, I cry and cower. Sometimes I am with others
here, sometimes alone in my cage. It's a horrible place, but it's all I've
ever known. My only comfort comes from my puppies. Oh how I dearly love my
puppies, but they are grabbed away from me, always too soon. I cry and ache
when they are taken, the pain of their leaving is an emptiness that never
goes away. One terrible day I am attacked by other dogs that I am caged
with at the puppymill. My poor little back is permanently injured. My back
legs no longer work very well, I'm weak and so afraid. I hurt so bad, and
now I'm of no use to the millers. I am dumped, turned-in, damaged goods.
Whatever is to become of me ?
Hands again! Oh no, don't hurt me, please! Wait, what's this?
I don't understand. . . these hands are different and the voice. . . it's,
it's very different, too. I didn't know it then, but this was the very
luckiest day of my life. This was the day that Auntie Gail rescued me and
began helping me learn that hands can be gentle, loving and kind. Auntie
Gail gave me my first name "April" and put me on the Adoptme pages of the
PMR web site. I was listed as a pup with special needs because of my
injuries from the puppymill attack.
"April" is a springtime name. Spring is a time of newness and rebirth
which is what PMR has been for me. Thank you Auntie Gail for giving me love
and helping me to learn to live again as the loving little girl that I was
meant to be!
From the first time my new mommie, Charla, saw my face and read my story on
the PMR web site there was an instant connection. She adopted me and made
arrangements to pick me up at the Tulsa Airport. I didn't want to leave my
dear Auntie Gail, but she kept reassuring me that I had nice new mommie and
a loving home. I wasn't too sure about that. It is hard to accept new
hands when you've come from a puppymill, it's hard to trust new situations.
Fortunately my new mom understood this and she gave me the space and time
that I have needed to adjust. My Auntie Gail was right, I love my new home,
and each day my life gets better and better. Yes! I am a lucky little
girl. Thank you PMR.

"April" was renamed after Shania Twain, whose name Shania means "on my
way". Although she goes by "Shani" for short, I named her after Shania
because she was so very pretty, and since being rescued by PMR she certainly
has been on her way! You see, I live in Ketchikan, Alaska, so it was quite
a trip to pick her up. I have to say that from the first moment we met at
the Tulsa Airport, I couldn't have been more thrilled to have her. She is a
love, and it continues to amaze me that anyone with even half a heart could
ever have treated her miserably.
I realize that if she had not been damaged in the attack by other dogs, she
would still be in a cage as a breeding bitch. I think of that often, and it
haunts me. I worry for the poor little female that has taken her place at
the puppymill, and I cry. But as I have come to learn more and more about
puppymills, I have come to realize that millers have no hearts or feelings
of compassion.   They will keep doing this as long as they turn a profit.
They will keep their mills going until they are stopped. I pray for that
day.
Shani is like a flower that continues to bloom. Each day her capacity to
love and be loved continues to evolve and grow. She is always so eager to
please and is learning to trust, LOL.
There is a new man in her life and new family member as of last May.
"Jiggs the Toothless Wonder" is a twelve-year-old black and tan mini
dachshund, the same size as Shani. He was a pound puppy that had been
scheduled to be euthanized because he was considered "unadoptable" due to
his age and neglected physical condition. But we got him, and cleaned-up he
is one handsome dude! Well, he is now Shani's love and a healthy family
addition for her. Through Jiggs, Shani has learned the joy of playing.
They play and play and play so well together. The two of them are constant
companions. It is so sweet to watch them snuggling and "pretzeling"
together in bed. She loves to lick and kiss his ears and face with him
totally enjoying all the attention from her. He, on the other hand, has
helped her to become a little more outgoing and adventuresome, the way a
dachsie ought to be!

In Memory of Velma

I had adopted "Velma" and "April"(Shani) at the same time, and post-poned
picking them up until Velma was recovered enough to travel. She had been
very, very sick and frail. At eight years old, her poor little body had
been ravaged by a lifetime of abuse in a puppymill. By the time she made it
into rescue, despite all heartfelt and courageous efforts to save her, after
three months, she passed on to Rainbow Bridge.
I believe that there are angels that walk among us, and that an angelic
hand plays a part in each act of compassion. Auntie Gail was certainly
Velma's Angel. For three difficult months she nursed and loved her the way
that Velma so desperately needed and richly deserved. Gail cared for her
with a compassion and strength that can only come from someone with a true
heart and soul. Velma touched the hearts of many at PMR. The concern,
support, and outpouring of love for her by numerous PMR members was truly
overwhelming.   The legacy that remains through her passing must be this:
continue. . . never forget. . . persevere in our fight against puppymills.
Velma, I know that in time, we will meet at Rainbow Bridge. Until then,
you will always have a very special place in my heart.
Licks & piddles, Mom

And What About Prissy?

The Sunday night before I was to travel to Tulsa to pick-up "April" I had a
funny feeling that I should go to work and check my
e-mail. So, I did.
Gail had sent me a picture and short note about "Prissy". She was a
ten-year-old chihuahua that had been in a large puppymill for the first
seven years of her life, before being bought by a lady that had had her as a
pet for three years. Her owner had come to a point in her life in which she
could no longer keep Prissy. So Prissy was turned in to Gail at Forest
Ridge Rescue House. Would I want Prissy? You bet!!!
It took me less than a minute to decide that question. I rushed home and
phoned Gail immediately to make arrangements to pick-up Prissy the following
weekend along with April(my Shani) in Tulsa. When I arrived in Tulsa I was
greeted by Gail and our Truck-in-Paws friend, Scott. They had my two
precious pups there ready to go with me. Gail had had to get up at about
2:30AM in order to get her chores at rescue done before driving all the way
from Neosho to Tulsa with Scott, just to hand-deliver my two girls to me.
It was a grand hello, and a sad but loving good-bye at the airport, as I
literally got off one flight only to get back on the next flight with my
pups.
That is how I got my Prissy, a sweet little old lady, and just a dear. She
is such a happy girl! Prissy's favorite thing, besides food, is to go on
walks.   She is outgoing and adventuresome, and seems to know no fear when
she is outside. Very much an old lady chi, she pretty much likes to lay in
her bed most of the day inside, and only grumbles if one of the other
furkids dares to get too close to her spot.

I will forever be indebted to, thankful for, and supportive of the
commendable and compassionate efforts of PMR.

    "With compassion we are healed"

Licks & piddles,
Charla & Furkids
Shani, Heidi, Prissy, Jiggs

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