Hi, friends:
Those of you who are my Facebook friends have already heard this story, but I am dedicating this post to a sweet pug girl, Rosie, who will always have a piece of my heart.
Rosie's family of eight years surrendered her to KPR this past weekend. The couple is getting divorced and, apparently, neither one felt the loyalty toward Rosie that I'm sure she felt toward them. They live in a part of the state that, it just so happens, Scott had to drive through on Sunday for his work as a truck driver. So, being the pug nut that I am, I hitched a ride in the big rig and made arrangements with the surrendering couple to pick up Rosie.
Rosie did a lot of panting and pacing in the truck but I chalked it up to being in a new situation and the drive itself. We got home that afternoon and Hank and Molly were quite taken with her! Rosie, however, continued to pant and seemed "lost". Not surprising, considering the situation, but she calmed down later in the evening.
Scott was home on Monday and "puggysat" while I was at work. It was a nice day so he went out with them several times throughout the day. While Hank and Molly followed him around or snoozed in the shade, Rosie spent most of the day sitting by the fence. I can't help but wonder if she was looking for her family.
As soon as I got home from work that evening Rosie and I headed south to her new foster home. The minute I pulled out of the driveway the pacing and panting started again. By the time I got to her foster home (a one and a half hour drive), she'd obviously "had it" with traveling and laid on the ground looking rather "pouty". I offered her water and her squeaky toy but she wasn't having it! So the foster mom and I sat with her for awhile and decided we'd let her call the shots. It got dark soon after so I made my way back home.
Yesterday afternoon as I was leaving work I received a phone call so shocking that it took my breath away. Rosie had died early that morning.
According to the foster, she took Rosie home and bathed her and sat with her for a few hours. Around 3:00 in the morning she finally settled down, so the foster let Rosie sleep and went to bed. When she got up later that morning, she went to check on Rosie and she was gone.
In my time with the pug rescue (three years) I have transported MANY dogs but never experienced anything like this. Words cannot describe how this has hurt my heart. So many times I have wondered if I couldn't have done something for her. Maybe she had some underlying health condition. We'll never know but I am firmly convinced the emotional upheaval of it all was just too much this little lady.
Rosie, I will never forget you. You deserved better. At least you found your forever home at The Bridge.
