Amy & Sophia’s Story...
The first time I met my little girl, she was another precious rescue I was going to take care of for awhile. I thought she was sweet and like all of my fosters, I promised her I would do my best for her. Sophia was 12 weeks old when she arrived in rescue.
Sophia became so much more then I ever thought possible.
Sophia’s mother had never been a mother before, and took Sophia’s head into her mouth when she was first born, injuring her. As a result, Sophia couldn’t walk, she couldn’t run, she couldn’t do much without falling. Day by day, step by step she became stronger. I walked with her each day, several times a day. I would put one paw in front of her other and steady her. She would look into my eyes, focus only on me, well, until one of her brothers or sister entered the room! We would play & swim - anything to make her balance better and her little legs stronger. There were days I thought Why? Why am I bothering? I don’t know that I can even make a difference for her! But she didn’t stop, so neither did I.
Several weeks passed with little to no improvement, or so I thought. Then we were all out in the back yard and Sophia saw her brother and decided she wanted to “get” him! She stood up & took off! She made it about ¼ of the way across the yard before she fell. Then she got right back up & continued running! I was so proud of her and I started to cry, so pleased that she’d made some progress. Her will was the key – when she wanted something, she went after it, despite her special needs.
Then came time for Sophia’s spay. All was fine at first, but three days after her surgery she started to bleed. Another costly surgery was needed to correct the problem; because Sophia crawled on her belly, she caused her stitches to come open, and had to be re-sutured, inside and out. We were so scared we would lose her, but she is such a fighter; she came home that very night. From the day I picked her up, she has never spent a night away from us. I know the doctors must think we are crazy because I will never leave her in the hospital overnight, but I just always felt she needed to be with all of us.
Just when things were looking up for her, another issue came along: congenital megaesophagus. We didn’t care what we had to do to get her well; we were going to do whatever it took as long as she was up for it! With meds, a special chair and feeding small meals three to five times a day, we were able to get her to stop vomiting for a while. Then her throat started to swell and she would not eat or drink. Her tonsils had to come out and she needed soft palette surgery, too. Again, Sophia came through all the odds and just seemed to get stronger. And once again the doctor let us take her home that same night.
Sophia successfully eats chicken, pasta, rice, and bananas, and loves every meal!
Several more months went by before I realized how much Sophia had changed my whole family. We all pitch in with her care each and every day. Here’s her schedule: From the moment she wakes up and my husband carries her out to potty, then I get her breakfast (she sits so nicely in her chair, at least 15 minutes after each feeding) she never complains or fusses. Then she has her bottle - she cannot drink out of a bowl anymore. Potty again and then before I know it, it’s lunch time, same drill as breakfast. Thankfully I work from home, so she gets me all day everyday. By afternoon potty time the kids are usually home from school so one of them will take her out for potty. She cannot walk down steps and since she is still growing (about 43 lbs right now), I take all the help I can get! Dinner comes a few hours later & then potty again. All the time in between feeding time is PLAY TIME! She does have 2 fur brothers & a fur sister, also 2 human brothers & a human sister. There is also usually another foster brother or sister here on any given week! She loves her family, but will be very bossy with the fosters, so they have to watch out! Bed time is 8 or 8:30 each night, and we laugh about who is going to take her out for potty before bed. My back is usually killing me by then & everyone is thinking of why the other person should take her out. She has a crib, right next to our bed. She loves it. As soon as she gets in and you put her blanket on her she snuggles down and is snoring away within minutes. She sleeps thru the night and wakes up the next day so happy and ready to do it all again!
Sophia is now 16 months old.
That is the care we give her, but what Sophia gives us is so much more. She loves to kiss everyone. She watches everything with such awe, like it is the first time she is seeing something. She is so smart - she is housetrained and will bark at you until you take her out if she has to go. She will bring you her favorite bone and jump all around to get you to chase her. She will climb up on the couch to sit with you. She even learned to climb up stairs. She will snuggle with her fur brothers & sister. She gets so excited if you put her harness on her because she knows she is going to play out front with the kids. If you open the front door, she somehow makes it to the car for her ride. She stays right on the front seat and is so happy just to be with you. She gets mad if you go out and leave her home, but is right by the door when you get back, full of kisses. She loves to play tug with her fur brothers & sister. She loves her bath time. She loves her pool time as well. She does not like when you try & dress her up, but she will put up with it for a quick picture! Sophia has no idea she is “special needs”. She just loves.
I didn’t know that day I picked her up that she would become such a big part of our family. I didn’t know we had it in us to care for her. She is so strong, so sweet. She has taught us all so much. I tell her each night, “Monkey (my nickname for her), mommy loves you and tomorrow will be even better than today.” That is what she has given me, simply hope.
Fostering has been one of things I am most thankful for in my life. You get so much more back than you give.
