Baby Doll's Story

My name is Baby Doll. I'm a five-pound, black, toy poodle. I am about three years old. I want to tell you my story -

When I was a tiny puppy, I went to live with a wonderful Mama who loved me very much. She was pretty old and couldn't get around much, but we loved each other a lot and I stayed in her lap all the time. I did a real good job of making her feel needed and loved.

One day some people came and took Mama away to some place called a "home." She was crying when she left and saying over and over, "please take care of my little Baby Doll."

I tried to run after the people, but they picked me up and handed me to one of Mama's relatives. I was scared and crying and the relative could not understand what I was trying to say. I was trying to say "Don't leave me!!!" but they took Mama away anyway.

 The relative took me home with her. It was not at all like Mama's house and I felt like they did not want me there. The kids teased me and ran away, the adults just kept talking to each other saying, "what the heck are we gonna do with this mutt." and it was not all warm and comfy like Mama's little house had been. Nobody picked me up, nobody petted me and every time I got cold and tried to sit in someone's lap they would push me away and scold me.

The next day the lady relative put my sweater on me. I was so very happy!!!!!! Maybe she was beginning to like me!!! I had been so cold ever since I had been there, and nobody seemed to care. Could this mean that she was going to let me sit on her lap too? She didn't really smell like love, but I could be wrong!! Maybe!!! Maybe!!!! I really missed Mama, but I had plenty of love to go around. I could already see myself snuggling on the couch with this lady relative.

Then we got in the car to go for a ride. I had not been for many rides because Mama could not drive, but this was not too bad. It was really kind of fun. It was close to Christmas and there were lots of people all around carrying big brightly wrapped boxes and bags. We passed one bunch of people standing on the corner singing. It was beautiful!!! I started singing too, but the lady relative said, "hush up", So I guess I must have been off key.

 We rode in the car to a new place. When we got out the lady held me in her arms and took me inside. I was a little frightened, but at least I was in her arms. I felt like maybe she would protect me. Then she handed me to a stranger.

I was so scared!! I trembled while I listened to her tell the man that I was a "stray" she had picked up on the road. I NEVER went in the road!! How could she say that? And what is a "stray" anyway?

She signed some papers while the man held me. Then she turned around and walked out the door. I struggled with the big man. I had to get loose!! I didn't know any of these people!! I could hear other dogs barking and crying somewhere in the building. This was so scary!!!!! I wanted my Mama so bad. How could this be happening to me? I had been a good little girl all my life!! Mama used to tell me what a good girl I was. Somebody help me!! Help me!!!

The man held me close and tried to soothe me. He told me that they would do everything they could to find me a good home. What did that mean? I already had a home. My mama's house was my home!! Why, oh why couldn't I just go back there?

They put me in a thing called a "kennel" and gave me some food and water. There was a rug in the kennel for me to lie on but I was still so cold!! The floor was concrete and it just froze my little feet to stand on it.

The man came and petted me real often. He even took me home with him a couple of times and asked his wife if they could keep me. The wife loved me too but said they had way too many already. People passed by my kennel every day, but nobody wanted a little tiny dog with matted hair.

One day the man told me he either had to find a place for me or they would have to "put me down." I did not know what that meant, but it seemed to make the man very sad to say it so I figured it had to be something really bad.

He carried me into the office (it was warmer in there) and called a lady on the phone. He told her about me and asked her if she had room for me. After he hung up he told me that I was going to live with a "rescue lady" for a little while until I could be adopted.

A lady came into the office a couple of days later. She seemed nice. She held me and told me that I was precious. She looked at my eyes and said I needed to go see the doctor to get medicine for my cold. She hugged me and stroked me and told me that everything was going to be all right.

She signed some papers and asked some questions and then she took me out to her car. This was only the third time I could ever remember being in a car and the last two rides had turned out kind of bad. I was so

scared that I wet all over Rescue Lady. I just could not hold it. She didn't get mad at me!! She just hugged me and cried. She promised me that I would not have to ever be afraid again.

We got to her house and I was greeted by what seemed like millions of other dogs. Actually it was only eight or ten, but they were all so happy and bouncy, they just seemed like more. Some were big, some were medium and some were even tiny like me. One of the tiny ones was "special" because she had come from a puppy mill and had had distemper as a very young puppy. Rescue Lady told me that this little Pomeranian had permanent brain damage. She was a very happy little dog; she just ran in circles and lot and could only see out of the sides of her eyes. She had to cock her head to see me, but then she ran right over and wanted to play.

Another was an "old man" Shihtzu. He was almost blind because of carteracts and he was just getting over a severe eye infection. Rescue Lady told me that he had been dumped out somewhere on the road while

he was blind from the infection. "WOW" I thought. That would be even scarier than what had happened to me!! All of the babies there had stories to tell, but they all seemed to be very happy now.

We went to the doctor and got medicine for my cold and for my eyes. Then we went to the beauty shop and I got all prettied up. I even got a red and silver bow in my hair!! I really felt better after that. I had my choice of laps to sit on at Rescue Lady's house and the living room and dining room was full of soft beds and chew toys and treats and stuffed toys for us all to play with. I picked out a stuffed ball that had a little rattle in it.

 I was a little afraid of the other dogs. I had not been around dogs very much and all of these were so bouncy and happy that they kind of spooked me.

Two days after I arrived at the "rescue lady's" house, a nice couple came to see me. They seemed to like me really well, but I was a little uncomfortable around them. Rescue Lady told them that she was sorry, but until I was comfortable, she would not let anyone take me home. Some other people called and wanted to adopt me, but Rescue Lady asked them some questions and told them all that she was sorry, but I had to have just the right home.

Then this other couple came in. The man person got down on the floor with me and wanted me to play. Once I sniffed him and let him stroke my head I knew this was the family I wanted. He and I played like crazy on the floor while his wife filled out all the papers Rescue Lady gave her. Every now and then she would pause in filling them out and reach down to pet me and love me. This was going to be GREAT!!!! They even brought pictures of their house and HUGE fenced back yard!!!

Once I decided that this was what I wanted, I ran over to Rescue Lady and told her, "YES!!!! This is the one for me!!! They are PERFECT!!!" I was so VERY happy!!! I could feel and smell "LOVE" on them both. When I left with my new family, Rescue Lady gave me the little ball with the rattle. She said I could keep it for my very own.

I am now in my new home. I still miss Mama and would love to see her. I hope, somehow, she knows that I have a beautiful family. Dad, Mom, and a human brother and sister. They take turns holding me and loving me and letting me sleep on their laps. I am warm and loved and cherished.

Thank you to all the rescue people out there who are working so hard to make these things happen. God bless you, every one.

Baby Doll

 God has "dominion" over man.

He gave man "dominion" over the animals

Shouldn't we treat them like we want God to treat us?

Lighthouse Animal Rescue & Heart Bandits American Eskimo Rescue

Chattanooga TN

423-332-2707