On Wednesday, September 28th, I was looking on the website of Arizona Rescue Network for animal's website on facebook and came across a dog who just tugged at my heartstrings. I have looked at this site for awhile, but it was just something about this dog that got me. I mean, I've cried numerous times looking at pictures on the site of dogs that are scheduled to be euthanized next day. Something about her picture just got to me, and I couldn't bear to see this dog die. So I wrote on the picture, "I'll take her." And I did.
It took about 3 hours to arrange, with email exchange, paper applications, and trying to just contact the right people to get this done so she wouldn't be put down at 5am the next morning. I wasn't going to be able to sleep till I knew she'd be okay.
I got the message at around 11 that a hold had been placed on her. I was so relieved. The next day, I was constantly checking my phone to see what time it was. Is it time yet to get my dog? Any messages yet? I still hadn't got any word and I was so anxious.2 hours before I had gotten word if I could come get her, I had already bought dog food and all the supplies I'd need to have a dog in my apartment.
Finally at around 2, I got the call that I could go pick her up at Maricopa County Animal control in Mesa. When they brought her out, I saw this stocky, beautiful red coat dog wagging her tail crazily making her way toward me. Even though her tail showed excitement, the rest of her body showed she was scared, or abused. It broke my heart, and I think right then I knew I was going to do what ever possible to make her never have to feel that way again.
She stunk. Really bad. But hey, it's expected. Who knows the last time she was washed, because she was a stray. They gave her a rabies shot and then handed me the leash and said, "She's all yours." I became a foster for this new timid dog.
Right when I got the leash, she took control. She pulled and pulled, and then stopped at grass. She peed. "should've known", I thought. Haha. That was a good sign though; she was house trained!
I couldn't get over how bad she smelled, so I took her to Petco to get grooming. Turns out they require 48 hours post rabies shot to get groomed. Weird. But okay. She was so so scared. She was scared of every door, every fence, every gate, and... tile floors. Just tile floors. In my apartment, she wouldn't cross to get to my room because there was a tile gap separating her from where she was standing (carpet) to my room. She also wouldn't budge up the stairs. I had to carry her up and down, three flights. In Petco, employees had to help me with her because she would not budge to get in the door. She shuddered at most noises, and crawled slowly into every entry way. It was so sad to see.
Probably should've mentioned this earlier: When I picked her up, I immediately thought to myself right when I saw her, "She is too feminine to be a Melody. She looks like a Jada. Like Jada Pinkett Smith". So that's where her name Jada came from.
I bought special soap that is tearless, and gave her a bath that night. She was terrified of the bath tub and faucet (no surprise, actually haha) so it was a challenge and a mess!
She is such a great dog. So well behaved and such a love!!! She doesn't jump on furniture, doesn't bite or chew. She is also not crazy. Yeah she's scared, but she is definitely getting better. She actually walks into the kitchen now, and goes up the stairs! Took awhile, but she's getting so much better. She is also great on the leash now too. Ah, I love Jada! I do not want to give her up. No no no.
She is currently sleeping right next to me as I type. I love her. She gets along with our other dogs too, especially Drax.. he LOVES her! When I first introduced her and my own Pug Paris, Jada didn't like her at all. :( By the end of the weekend, it was the other way around! Paris was annoyed with her! Oh, well. Girls will be girls, huh.
Anyway, Jada is the sweetest dog, and I know everyone in my family has absolutely fallen in love with her, and every dog loves her. And every person that meets her loves her. Ah she's just a loveable dog. I'm so lucky I got her.
xoxo
Jada
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