This is something that I wrote for the Ratbones Digest group. I decided I wanted to share it here as well.

Taffy is our 8-year-old female that we adopted from Ratbone Rescues. While she turned out to be a bit different that what we originally thought, we still wanted her. Her story is sad, she was a breeder dog for a puppy mill. While I don’t know for sure, I feel, based on research and my other experiences with puppy mills, that Taffy spent very little time on the ground. More than likely she lived in a wire cage with a small wooden box attached to the side. The box is just big enough to get in and whelp the pups. There is no blanket, soft towel or even straw or hay to soften the wooden floors.

At age 8, she has more than likely been pregnant over 7 out of her 8 years. And when the day came that she could no longer produce a litter or a healthy litter, the “owner” of the puppy mill, gathered her and 3 other dogs also deemed too old and took her to a kill shelter.

Thank goodness Ratbone Rescues was there. She was pulled and finally came to live with us. Now she gets high quality food and treats, has a warm soft bed, well actually 3 doggie bed/crates, any chair or couch or lap not to mention my bed at night snuggling close to me and Aka.

The other morning she and Aka saw a couple of squirrels in our yard and Ms. Taffy did her level best to catch one of the rascals. She nearly caught one by the tail but a last minute zig to her zag allowed the evil one to get through the fence.

Taffy, after her potty and the short burst of play that she does with Aka in the morning, went over to an  area of the yard where she can see just about every inch of the fenced in area and began to guard! She was on her belly but was ready to charge if the need arose.

Every so often, she would stand up and circle the inner perimeter of the fence sniffing and lifting her head and her mouth was open in what can only be described as a grin!

Watching her run so happy and contented, I was struck by the thought that as a puppy mill breeder dog, she has had very few chances to run with grass under her feet, her tummy full and the scent of squirrel wafting on the wind.

My eyes welled up with tears to see her so content and looking as if she had always spent her days in freedom.

At that moment, all I could think of was the folks at Ratbone Rescues who work so hard to try and save as many Rat Terriers as they humanly can.

Thanks to all the folks out there that do rescue work. It can't be easy, I know from my years working at the Hawaiian Humane Society. Sadly we had to euthanize too many animals and saw way too many people who had no clue about responsible animal care, but we did do as much as we could to educate, to care, to rescue and to help.

The animals we could rehome, were happy, their families happy. And even the animals that had to be euthanized were held in loving arms and quietly sent over the bridge as humanely as could be done.

Tonight as Aka and Taffy "fight" for who will sleep where on the bed, I will be remembering this morning, Taffy trotting around, free, loved and at home.

Aloha,
Cheryl Wordweaver

Beautiful Cheryl ...

This is so beautiful. It made we well up with tears for all the dogs living in horrible conditions but also for all the ones saved.

Very elequently(sp?) spoken, you have a wonderful way of expressing such a great experiance. You are a blessed person to have been able to first had help such a wonderful girl. To the many more years ya'll with have together, and more memoirs you build. I raise my glass to cheers for you and all others who not only foster, but rescues, raise money, or just prayers for those in need. Thank you for sharing your letter with all of us.

Hugs, Cheryl!  Thank you for your most gracious words... they're truly appreciated!

thanks so much everyone. I enjoy writing and have been missing the opportunity to write. Every day is an adventure with ratties around. But don't get me wrong, there were many times in the beginning where I just sat on the back steps and cried thinking I had made the most awful mistake of adopting her. Thank goodness for good folks who were there for me, like Nora, Jan, Jan, Jen,  Angie and so many more that I know I will and have left out names.

Now I can't imagine the house without Taffy in it. Right now I am trying to get a photo of her and the little rapscalion manages to get off the bed or turn her head just as I go to release the shutter, but I'm not giving up!

Here's to the day when no animal or child has to suffer abuse and no one considers our companion animals as things to be bought, sold and tossed aside when grown tired of. May it come soon.

I pray for that day, and I truly hope I live to see itl.

WERE there for you?  we still ARE here for you!!!

I'll drink to that till I'm drunk!! (I don't drink)

NO MORE THROW AWAYS!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Wow...all goose bumpy here. That was very moving.

That was very beautiful! I don't post very often, but had to comment on that! how very sweet Amy

And for still being here for me, I say a great big AMEN!! and thank you.

That is just beautiful, Cheryl.  I am so happy things are working out for you,Aka and Taffy.  We are most blessed to have folks like you and RRB.   God bless you all!

Cheryl, that is beautiful.