After living 7
years in a puppy mill, Nipper joined our family 3 ½ years ago. The
first few months were difficult for Nipper as we dealt with his
medical issues and he became acclimated with living in a house. He
quickly learned how to the dog door and hip-hop around the yard, at
will. It took quite a few more months for him to not be fearful of
men’s hands. Now, he is the happy grand sage of the pack, smiling as
we enter the room. Nip, despite his severe arthritis, loves to roll
around and nuzzle us for belly rubs and soft shoulder massages
whenever possible. Of our 5 fur babies, Nipper is always the first one
to hear anyone approaching the front door and sounds the alarm. He is
a wonderful loving dog and we’re glad we have the opportunity to know
him.
We will always be grateful to have this wonderful little boy as he is
a treasure and he is imprinted in our hearts forever.
My name is Nipper and I am a little blue Pomeranian
about seven years old. I came from an area in the Midwest where they
breed lots and lots of dogs. Where I used to live, I was not treated
very well. I did not get love, good food, exercise, or any of the things
I needed to keep me healthy & strong.
I wanted to be happy, but it was not an easy thing to do.
Then my rescuer, an angel of mercy, came to save
me. I went to live with my
foster mommy, Gail. My foster mom let me live in her house. I bunked
with two little girlfriends and we got along very well. Mommy Gail gave
me good food to eat and I even got to play with some toys.
I could not believe how my life was changing.
The very day that Auntie Jean posted my picture to
PMR, my forever mommy fell in love with me. I may not have been the most
handsome Pomeranian boy, but I had a look that drew her to me like a
magnet. Please don’t get
me wrong I’m very cute, but I had
troubled eyes and some patches of fur missing.
I had to be shaved down, because my coat was so matted. My eye
problem is due to genetics – it causes me to have to little of a lower
lid, so there is nothing there to catch my tears or whatever else my
eyes produce. I had a fur problem due to some allergies. I looked so sad
and needy, but that made mom want me even more.
Mom pressed that adopt button as fast as she could.
It took a couple of months until I was fixed up and ready to
start on the journey to my forever home. Gail took me to a special
doggie doctor, who fixed me so that I would never have to be a part of
overpopulating the canine world anymore. The doctor also gave me special
shots so I would not catch bad diseases. Mom felt like it was taking
forever till I could start on my journey home. My mom and I got real
lucky! Grandmom & Grandpop
were coming to the Midwest and they said they’d be happy to take me
back with them on my journey home to N.J.
I stayed in nice places with them, ate good food, and even had
special treats and toys
that foster mommy Gail packed
for me to take on my long
trip. Grandmom fell in love with me as soon as she saw me too. I guess
I’m just a charming little boy.
Finally, I met my mom, dad, new furbrothers and
fursister. At first, I was
a little confused. I’d been so many new places over the last few
months. Soon I began settling into my
forever home. My new family was so excited to have me with them.
I was having a great time. I growled at my alpha Jack Russell Terrier
brother, Doobie. I tried to play with my Pomeranian brother Skooter and
I took rests with my Pekingnese sister, Wuu Chii.
Mom thought I held myself stiffly, and seemed uncomfortable at
times, but I am a trooper & I kept on going.
One evening we were getting ready to take our walk-
BOOM! The long bone in my
leg gave way and out of my hip socket, it popped!
It hurt so much! I could not lower it and all I could do was cry
and shake from all the pain that I felt. Mom and Dad were really scared
and so was I. They took me to a special doctor He examined me and took
lots of pictures of my bones. He said that the tissues and ligaments in parts of my body were very weak. Some were even
disintegrating. Being
active just pushed my condition over the edge. I needed a very serious
surgery called a Femoral Head Osteotomy. The doctor had to cut away most
of the ball of my upper thigh & sew it back into the socket of my
hip. I had to stay in the hospital for a couple of days. Mom was afraid
that I’d think she deserted me & I did not have a forever home
anymore.
The people who cared for me at the hospital were
very kind and took good care of me. Even so, when Mom came to take me home, I was
shaking all over from pain and fear.
I had to rest very quietly for at least one whole
month. There were days when
Mom prayed she had done the right thing for me. It
was a tough recuperation period.
Mom was very lucky though-She was allowed to take
me to work every day for that whole month.
My mom, the students and the rest of the school staff where she
works watched me very carefully. My family helped care for me when we
were at home. Slowly, my healing began.
It is now about five months since Mom pushed the
adopt button. Mom is so glad that she decided to let me have the
surgery. I am now able to walk using all four legs.
I’ve worked hard to find my place in the hierarchy of the pack
here. I still insist on growling at my brother, Doobie, although he
usually just ignores me. I
have a much easier time playing with Skooter.
Wuu Chii and I get along very well too. I love to take walks with
my family. I also love rugs (they are easy to walk on), pillows,
blankets and the special doggie beds that Auntie Jean makes. Wherever
there is a bed to rest in, you’ll find me. I make little throat noises
to my people. I love praise and quiet talk. Rubbing against furniture
and people is another favorite of mine. I can sometimes still get up on
my hind legs and do “the Pomeranian dance”, as Mom fondly calls it.
We try to take life a day at a time now. Mom and
Dad just hope that I can continue to enjoy and experience a good quality
of life. So far, it looks pretty hopeful. I just have to be a bit
careful. I must be held gently, but I’ve still got lots of spunk.
Mommy & Daddy
promised me that they will take care of me for the
rest of my life and I’ll never have to worry about who will take care
of me again.
Mom and I are very grateful to Grandmom and
Grandpop for bringing me all the way home
to New Jersey. It was a kindness we will always remember. We also
send a gigantic hug to Auntie Jean for making Puppymillrescue a reality
for many unfortunate dogs, who live an unimaginable existence. Foster
Mommy Gail, I love you and thank you and all the rescuers that helped to
save me from a life of misery and helped me get to my forever home. It
never could have happened without you! You are my angels as well as the
pioneers of a new life for the animals.
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