Help A (Four-legged) Friend

It’s been 72 hours
Since I’ve walked to the kitchen and she followed me anticipating a treat
Since she exploded in a flurry of motion when the doorbell rang
The food dish is empty and her water hasn’t been changed

It’s been 72 hours
Since someone woke us up to give them breakfast and then promptly returned to bed
Since she curled up with Mike for an afternoon nap or sat in my lap as I worked on the computer

It’s been more than 3 years since I first met her
She was the smallest, six pounds and less than a foot tall, including 2 inches of ears
In the flurry of activity with the other dogs she trotted around proud and aloof
She didn’t come to me, wag her tail, or bark
On the ride home she started snoring as she slept in my lap and I saw that one of her canine teeth protruded over her lip
She stole my heart with a snore and a snaggletooth

She was adorable, endlessly curious, hilarious, regal, adventurous, loving, patient, fearless, and charming.  She was the boss and the baby, the queen and the court jester.  Her name was Truffles, because she was a chocolate miniature pinscher.  We didn’t choose that name, though it suited her just fine.  Over time as her confidence grew and her personality evolved she, like any true friend, earned a number of nicknames, “Rooty Toot,” “L’il Bit,” “The Situation,” “Queen of Sheba,” “One Way,” “Kitty Paws,” and  “Anubis.”

It’s been 72 hours
Since we had to say good bye to our dear friend
The little girl in me can’t stop crying
But, the woman in me thinks this is the right thing to do

I am sending this to you because you are a fellow animal lover, friend or colleague.  We find so easily, in our four legged friends the qualities we so desperately seek in our human companions – unconditional love, loyalty, gratitude, acceptance, patience and companionship.  Seriously, has your significant other ever greeted you the way your pet has or been as appreciative of a meal?

If you have a pet give them a hug or an extra treat, scratch behind their ears, take them for an extra long walk, buy them a new toy, forgive the next accident, and laugh at their hijinks for me.

One more thing, I know this is long but, please keep reading.  While there is nothing more I can do for Truffles perhaps you can find it in your heart to help other animals?

You can make a donation to the miniature pinscher rescue at the address below, or online at http://www.minpinrescue.org/donations.html

IMPS, Inc.
P.O. Box 176
Pinellas Park, FL 33780
Please make checks payable to IMPS, and write Truffles in the memo

If you would like to improve the medical care for all of our four legged friends, please make a donation to the Ohio State University Veterinary Medical School, you can send donations online here, https://www.giveto.osu.edu/igive/OnlineGiving/category/veterinary_med.aspx?num=vet_med&coll=none, or mail to:

CVM Office of Development
127L VMAB
1900 Coffey Road
Columbus, OH  43212
Please make the check out to The Ohio State University Foundation, fund #313313 and reference the fund # and Truffles in the memo line.

They have a number of funds to choose from, including:
Veterinary Outreach Program Support in Partnership with Lifecare Alliance – Fund Number: 313313
This fund is used to support the veterinary medicine outreach program that is in partnership with Meals on Wheels/Lifecare Alliance.  This program takes our students into areas where the elderly are in need of pet care but may not be able to come into the hospital, if they are unable to drive, have health issues, etc.  There are several faculty and student who go out to these homes to perform routine check-ups, etc, or if needed, will transport the pet to the clinic to perform a surgery.