White Dog declared today one of celebration for The White Dog Army and our family! Steve went into work later than normal. Everyone slept in. And we have quietly, but joyfully, introduced YoYo to each of our favorite routines of “home.” For his part, Yet Another White Dog has sniffed and bumped and explored his way through our home…finding delightful smells and noting future places to nap and hang out. Each of the White Dogs has been kind to each other and seems to understand that our newest recruit has special needs. Michael loves our blind boy…perhaps too hard too soon, but they will learn from each other. It made me cry when mid afternoon, I looked around me to discover I was surrounded by contented white faces just basking in our day: White Dog on my shoulder; Quinn guarding the front door; Nuka curled up at the hearth; Puff closing the circle on my right; and YoYoMa lying on my feet. It was a pure sweet moment of bliss. I cried again later when Steve came home and was struck by a storm of Eskies, including YAWD, all jockeying for position to greet him and welcome him home.
But, White Dog reminded us over dinner, the day is not just a celebration of us. It is a Thanksgiving of the goodness in the Universe, of a community that cares and dares to prove it, of the Power of the Paw. Once again (Quinn was our first experience of this extraordinary outpouring), we are overwhelmed by the response and encouragement and personal sacrifice made to bring YoYoMa to us. The simple truth is that without this help, YoYo would not be with us. Because of your prayers and faith and willingness to share the journey, YoYo slept in his new bed in our bedroom last night…where, Universe willing, he will sleep the rest of his nights. We are grateful to you all beyond words. Thank you.
There are some very special angels that deserve mention and to whom our debt is huge, for they were hands-on crucial to YoYoMa becoming Yet Another White Dog.
• Prints The Cat’s mom (and mom to Angel Hana, one of WD’s first blog friends) not only alerted us to the existence of YoYo and his plight but called in favors to find drivers (and who so wanted to drive a leg of YoYo’s transport herself);
• BJ in Florida who sent Nuka to us and who now has taken the welfare of the entire WDA under her wing. She encouraged us during the rough spots and helped us find the perfect transport coordinator (a skill of delicacy and organization);
• Roxanne who coordinated YAWD’s transport from Northern California through its ups and downs and ons and offs…for no reason other than her passion for saving dogs…and who never lost faith that this was meant to be (it was her call to us at 3am her time that let us know that everything was at last a go last Friday…and yes, she was still awake then working on our Project”);
• Teddy and Sierra’s parents who volunteered in a heartbeat to disrupt their lives to drive a segment of the transport, and who then graciously understood when it was felt that YoYo would be more comfortable with fewer drivers driving longer legs. Their willingness touched us;
• Mark, who took the time to visit the rescuer the night before transport to reassure her that YoYo would be comfortable with him and who the next day drove almost 9 hours;
• Sheila, who after driving momma cats and kitties for hours turned around and brought our boy closer to us;
• The amazing, big-hearted and totally wonderful parents of Mesa, Baily and Big Carl should receive special stars on the Walk of Fame for their efforts. Not only did they drive a bazillion miles but they took one scared newly neutered blind pup in as a houseguest for 3 days. When vet paperwork was needed for his flight, they took him to their vet to get what was needed and THEN they made sure he got to the airport and was safely boarded on Pet Airways. How can we even thank them for this precious gift? And when we tried, they seemed puzzled that we were so moved and making such a big deal of their heroism (at least for this one Eskie).
• The wonderful people at Pet Airways. The animals fly in the cabin, there is a special attendant with them at all times, and when the booking agent heard YoYo’s story, made sure insure that he would receive extra care because of his sutures and fear and special needs. The attendant sat near him so he could hear her voice for the entire flight!
• Comet and Blu’s mom took time from work to be at the Mesa airport when YAWD arrived in Arizona. She gave him time at a Park so he would get some exercise and relax from the flight. Then she drove to meet us in Winslow…a drive which kept her out until late last night when she had to be at work at 6:30am today. Her response to TWDA was so astonishing; she thanked US for letting her be a part of things!
So tonight we celebrate new family members, being together finally, the Power of the Paw, and a world where there is still an abundance of those willing to reach out and care. We are filled with gratitude for our good fortune and hope that someday (SOON) no creature will be abused or homeless or unloved. White Dog, The Other White Dog, Another White Dog, Still Another White Dog, and Yet Another White Dog all know we are VERY VERY blessed. Thank you.
But, White Dog reminded us over dinner, the day is not just a celebration of us. It is a Thanksgiving of the goodness in the Universe, of a community that cares and dares to prove it, of the Power of the Paw. Once again (Quinn was our first experience of this extraordinary outpouring), we are overwhelmed by the response and encouragement and personal sacrifice made to bring YoYoMa to us. The simple truth is that without this help, YoYo would not be with us. Because of your prayers and faith and willingness to share the journey, YoYo slept in his new bed in our bedroom last night…where, Universe willing, he will sleep the rest of his nights. We are grateful to you all beyond words. Thank you.
There are some very special angels that deserve mention and to whom our debt is huge, for they were hands-on crucial to YoYoMa becoming Yet Another White Dog.
• Prints The Cat’s mom (and mom to Angel Hana, one of WD’s first blog friends) not only alerted us to the existence of YoYo and his plight but called in favors to find drivers (and who so wanted to drive a leg of YoYo’s transport herself);
• BJ in Florida who sent Nuka to us and who now has taken the welfare of the entire WDA under her wing. She encouraged us during the rough spots and helped us find the perfect transport coordinator (a skill of delicacy and organization);
• Roxanne who coordinated YAWD’s transport from Northern California through its ups and downs and ons and offs…for no reason other than her passion for saving dogs…and who never lost faith that this was meant to be (it was her call to us at 3am her time that let us know that everything was at last a go last Friday…and yes, she was still awake then working on our Project”);
• Teddy and Sierra’s parents who volunteered in a heartbeat to disrupt their lives to drive a segment of the transport, and who then graciously understood when it was felt that YoYo would be more comfortable with fewer drivers driving longer legs. Their willingness touched us;
• Mark, who took the time to visit the rescuer the night before transport to reassure her that YoYo would be comfortable with him and who the next day drove almost 9 hours;
• Sheila, who after driving momma cats and kitties for hours turned around and brought our boy closer to us;
• The amazing, big-hearted and totally wonderful parents of Mesa, Baily and Big Carl should receive special stars on the Walk of Fame for their efforts. Not only did they drive a bazillion miles but they took one scared newly neutered blind pup in as a houseguest for 3 days. When vet paperwork was needed for his flight, they took him to their vet to get what was needed and THEN they made sure he got to the airport and was safely boarded on Pet Airways. How can we even thank them for this precious gift? And when we tried, they seemed puzzled that we were so moved and making such a big deal of their heroism (at least for this one Eskie).
• The wonderful people at Pet Airways. The animals fly in the cabin, there is a special attendant with them at all times, and when the booking agent heard YoYo’s story, made sure insure that he would receive extra care because of his sutures and fear and special needs. The attendant sat near him so he could hear her voice for the entire flight!
• Comet and Blu’s mom took time from work to be at the Mesa airport when YAWD arrived in Arizona. She gave him time at a Park so he would get some exercise and relax from the flight. Then she drove to meet us in Winslow…a drive which kept her out until late last night when she had to be at work at 6:30am today. Her response to TWDA was so astonishing; she thanked US for letting her be a part of things!
So tonight we celebrate new family members, being together finally, the Power of the Paw, and a world where there is still an abundance of those willing to reach out and care. We are filled with gratitude for our good fortune and hope that someday (SOON) no creature will be abused or homeless or unloved. White Dog, The Other White Dog, Another White Dog, Still Another White Dog, and Yet Another White Dog all know we are VERY VERY blessed. Thank you.