Modern Dog Blog

Written for Pug Rescue of San Diego County’s front page
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Many of you will recognize Petunia from Pug Rescue events and from reading her stories on the website. Petunia came into foster care in August of 2009, after being found wandering by herself in LA. They said “running”, but I assure you, Petunia was not running, she was wandering, hoping to find someone who would feed her. When Petunia showed up at my house, she was a mess. Dirty, chunks of hair hanging off of her from not being brushed in who knows how long, falling down, making all manner of noises – coughing, wheezing, gagging, and choking, and she had a huge tumor growing out of her mouth. And I was pretty sure she was deaf. I did not think she would last very long, as she seemed to be on her very last legs.

I took Petunia in to our wonderful vets at Cuyamaca Animal Hospital, where they diagnosed her with kennel cough and a neurological problem with her spine that caused her back end to be wobbly, but they assured me she was not in any pain and would not get worse. We gave her medicine to help her get over the kennel cough, and she was then scheduled to have her teeth cleaned and have the mass removed from her mouth.

Petunia was not love at first sight. I saw a bedraggled little Pug that, quite honestly, wasn’t all that cute. Wall eyed, with a sad little tail, she was no one’s dream dog. It was her spirit, her unending ability to love and be loved that made me fall for this little, broken old dog. Someone else’s throw away became my treasure. Petunia worked her way into the fabric of our family very quickly, never having any problems with the many other dogs that live and are fostered here. Petunia liked pretty much everyone, and if she didn’t, well, then you must be obnoxious. She was endlessly patient with my toddler, accepting awkward hugs and sloppy baby kisses with grace. Petunia did have a hard time getting around, and fell down frequently, knocked off balance by another dog, me, the wind. Yet, she had more dignity in that little body than most humans ever possess. Never one to complain, she’d just get back up and keep going. There is definitely a lesson there somewhere.

Petunia did get adopted in February, and it seemed like a great home. I let her go with a heavy heart, hoping that this would be a wonderful place for her to live out her remaining years. Because that’s what fosters do, we love them until they make their way to their forever homes. Well, Petunia had other ideas, and she came back two weeks later, being too much to care for. I was thrilled to have her home. Here she would stay, being away was so hard on her. She was very depressed when she came home, Petunia had missed her family. It took her a few days to bounce back to her happy little self. It was decided that with her medical issues and care requirements she would become a Forever Foster, and Pug Rescue would be responsible for her medical bills, and she would stay here, with us, where she was comfortable and happy.

Petunia had yet another hurdle, and in April her eye ulcerated. They considered removing it, but at surgery time, managed to save the eye. Eye drops four times a day, wearing a cone, antibiotics, again she approached these new challenges with endless grace. You may have seen her at the May party, riding in her pink stroller with flowers on her cone. Petunia’s eye healed up beautifully, and I was grateful that my little dog with so many disabilities wouldn’t have to learn how to get around with only one eye.

Petunia started having more troubles in late June. The vets thought she had a sinus infection, and treated her accordingly. But even after meds, she was still “off”. I knew my girl wasn’t feeling well. On July 7th, I discovered a mass growing in her mouth, and realized that it was growing into her sinus cavity and putting pressure on her eye. It must have grown fast, because the swelling appeared overnight. I could tell she was in pain, and I knew that this type of tumor could not be operated on, and even if it could, she was telling me she was tired, and done. It broke my heart, but part of loving dogs is taking on the responsibility of letting them go. On July 8th, Petunia died in my arms. Peacefully and gently, surrounded by her family giving her hugs, kisses, and telling her how much we loved her. Not a bad way to go for a little dog that no one wanted.

I miss Petunia every day, even with four dogs of my own, an endless parade of fosters, and a toddler, my house is quieter now. There is no one shuffling along behind me, snoring on my lap at night. There is no one sitting with me while I dry my hair, just hanging out. Petunia was, plain and simple, my friend. And I miss her. I’m so very glad I got to know her. I learned a lot from Petunia. That complaining gets you nowhere so you might as well just get up and keep going, that love really is blind – because when I look at her pictures now, I see a beautiful dog with a lovely soul.

Petunia was, quite literally, saved by Pug Rescue. This is where your money goes, and why we work so hard to raise funds. Without Pug Rescue being there to spring Petunia from the shelter, transport her to a foster home, and take care of her medical expenses; she would have been left at the shelter, and surely been euthanized then. Instead, she got to spend her last year being pampered, loved, and enjoying life as a beloved member of our family. Petunia’s story is not a particularly special one, visit our Strollin’ Seniors page and you will see her story repeated over and over again. Most rescues will not take senior dogs, because they are such a financial burden. Pug Rescue takes them, and takes excellent care of them. There is just something special about being loved by a senior dog. They’ve given so much in their lives, shouldn’t we give back to them when they are older and need us more? Consider adopting a senior Pug, you won’t regret it. If you can’t adopt, consider donating in honor of one of our Strollin’ Seniors. We will all thank you.

Thanks for letting me share my story. Thanks for letting me share my Petunia. Rest easy, my friend. You will always be in my heart.

Petunia ? – 7/8/10

Posted on July 21st, 2010 by michelle
Filed under: Random run ins