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| Emma Loo, fka CP Plumeria, one of CP’s Tropical Flowers |
Just
over two years ago, I became a Foster Mom for the first time. A neighbor down the street has been fostering
for another Rescue for years and years, so I thought, “…if he can do it, so can
I!” My love of dogs in general, and
Cairn Terriers specifically, carried me through the decision. As luck would have it, Col. Potter Cairn
Rescue Network was who I chose to work with.
I must admit I was terrified of the unknown. I read everything I could get my hands
on. The Foster Handbook was read cover
to cover, and still I was nervous. After
I passed the home inspection, I was put on the available list.
A
call came out for Foster Parents for the Exotic Flower Girls being released
from Puppy Mills in the Midwest. Lotus, Orchid and Plumeria were their
names. I looked at the attached photos
and was drawn to Plumeria right away.
After her spa treatment, Plumeria was on her way up to the North Star
State by our Transport Volunteers. As
the final driver in the Transport Team North, I met a wonderful Volunteer from Southern Minnesota, who had worked an overnight shift before
driving hours to bring Plumeria North.
The generosity of the people in this group first struck me at that
moment and have continued to amaze me ever since.
To
say Plumeria was shy is like saying a lightning strike is loud. Being all black, she was almost invisible in
her crate. While she pressed herself
flat to the bottom of the crate, her eyes seemed to say “you can’t see
me.” My heart broke at the tiny amount
of spirit she seemed to have after her 8 ½ year ordeal. It was difficult to get her out of her crate,
so I started to feed her inside her crate.
She wouldn’t eat while I was in the room.
After
a few days, I tried to tempt her to accept a piece of freeze dried liver. I found her weak spot: Food. It was so precious, she would casually wave
her nose by the liver and her tongue would accidentally touch the treat. She would raise her nose in the air as if to
say, “Oh, I couldn’t possibly, I’m on a diet.”
Then, after a moment of seeing her wheels turn, “oh well, maybe just
this once...”
When
filing an update report online for Plumeria, I realized that I could not let
her go. She had become a part of my
pack and I would not be able to let her go.
The Col. Potter Board approved my adoption on July 4, 2011 - how
appropriate - Independence Day! Plumeria
became Emma Loo, but she still had a lot of blossoming to do…
There
were many hurdles she overcame. Sounds
that are considered normal house sounds, like dishwasher, doors, even changes
in light and shadow, startled her into the flat the ground posture, closely
followed by the retreat to the crate. There
are fewer sounds that startle her now, though she is still easy to
startle. She had to learn that she
couldn’t walk through the glass door,
and how to climb stairs. That was a
challenge. She’s still unable to go down
a long wooden staircase, only up.
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| Emma Loo is learning to have fun! |
Most
changes came over the last 12 months.
She started to approach the fence when our friends (dog & people out
for a walk) would stop and chat. About 6
months ago, she started dodge-playing with a dog through the fence! She was bouncing and wagging her tail with
pure joy! I didn’t want to make a sound
or move to startle her. Tears of joy
streamed down my face!
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| Emma Loo befriended… |
In
the last 2 weeks we have started going back to the dog park. It used to be that she would stay in my
shadow, then, about a year ago, she was confident enough to make her own
trail. Last week, she met a Standard
Poodle who took an instant like to her.
His size didn’t matter to her.
She loved the attention! He
followed her around the whole fenced area.
If he started to lag behind, she looked over her shoulder and waited for
him to catch up. If he got too close,
she’d bolt – wagging her tail and bouncing like a puppy!
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| …followed… |
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| …chased… |
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| …and cultivated! |
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| Emma Loo has learned how to smile! |
I
have had great success helping Fosters that were surrenders, shelter dogs, and
puppy mill survivors. Being a Foster Mom
is very rewarding. However, the pure joy
at witnessing the blooming of an exotic flower is absolutely priceless!
Beth
Minnetonka, MN
Please Consider being a CP Volunteer!
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