Eulogy to a Puppy Mill Angel

Miss Ida

It is with sadness I write to tell you that Miss Ida died lying next to me this afternoon.  For those of you who do not know her, Miss Ida was purchased at an auction by two wonderful CP volunteers.  The day she was to be spayed the vet tech noticed a bunch of fur in the corner of her cage.   She had pulled out her hair to make a nest and gave birth to one pup... Lil' Georgie.   We were blessed to have them as our first Fosters, and immediately flunked - TWICE!! Ida was a wonderful mom, to her pup and to the pup we adopted a year later, Timofey.

I had concerns adopting an older dog from a breeding establishment, but she soon won me over with her sweetness.  After an initial getting acquainted period (grass under her feet, enough food, someone to pet her) she blossomed.  She became the official greeter of the dog park, never knowing a stranger.  She loved her two stuffies and never tried to destroy them.  They were her babies and she would often carry them to bed.  She ran after squirrels, keeping up with the pups most of the time, until lately.

Ida began to have spells, probably small TIAs.  She was 13.5 years old.  We had a hard time last week and thought we would lose her then, but she rallied.  Today she was weak but wanted to go with the others to the dog park.  I carried her and sat with her while the others ran around.  Then when back, her breathing became labored and she looked worse.  I sat next to her bed and began reading from Jon Katz's Going Home, Finding Peace When Pets Die.  I reached a particularly lovely passage and began to read aloud:

"…When I let Rose go I tried to see her death as a liberation for her.  She did not need to meet me on any bridge, or join me in the afterlife, although that would be wonderful.  She had done enough.  She was simply free to go.  I imagined her running through golden fields, herds of sheep stretching to the fenceless horizon…"

And just as I read this passage Ida took her last breath.  Our vet was in the office and confirmed her death.

She was all sweetness.  We will always remember her.   Georgie and Timmy are very low key.  They were also present, and continue to smell her bed and collar. 

We thank all the Col. Potter family for the chance to know and love Ida.

 


Alice in Topeka

Mom to CP kids now in their forever home, Miss Ida, her pup, Lil' Georgie and the newest member of the pack, Timofey Archibald.

Retired foster mom...for now!

Originally owned by Imperial Cairn Princess Hobbes and her good buddy, Toby, now crossed over the bridge