Heidi
Heidi, a Jack Russell, came to live with us in 2016. She was 16 years old, blind and deaf and had a ruptured cyst on her ear. At first the Vet was worried that at her age, surgery might be too risky. But her bloodwork was perfect, and she came through the surgery beautifully. Heidi loved to roam around the yard. She would go from one end to the other, sniffing anything that crossed her path. Heidi taught me to put my hand under her nose before I touched her. That way, she smelled me and knew I was there and when I put my hand on her it did not startle her. She was always happy and would just wag her tail as hard as she could when you pet her. The others seemed to know she needed special attention and they would often curl up and sleep with her. Heidi lived about a year and a half when cancer took her away from us.
Ollie (Oliver Wendell Holmes)
Ollie was rescued from a really bad situation by that wonderful rescue in Knoxville, Tennessee. He came here to live in August of 2017. Unfortunately Ollie was never given proper dental care and lost all of his teeth. The decay in his lower teeth infected his lower jaw and eroded it. But, that did not slow him down! He bounced up and down on those front legs and barked a demand for his food at meal time. He liked his kibble dry and he wanted plenty of it. He knew which doggie bed was his and nobody had better mess with it. He loved sitting on your lap and if was not on your lap he was probably snuggling under his blankets.
Ruth
We only had Ruth for 5 months, but I am so thankful she chose us for those months. We knew she had multiple tumors and most probably cancer. But she did not let her illness get in the way of her life. She never left my side and would even get up in the middle of the night with me when others needed to go out. She waited for her meds at med time and even though the steroids caused her to pee frequently, she never had an accident. She was sweet and loyal. She died on her own terms here at home. She was surrounded by her humans and her fur family. Ruth has a special place in our hearts and we are so grateful for having gotten to love her.
Darla aka Madea
I lost Darla on May 25, 2018
I met Darla when I was babysitting her for her rescuer, Ashley Nicole. My neighbor, Rima Stenfeldt had agreed to come over and give Darla her insulin twice a day for the week she was here. I fell in love with her, but could not give a shot. Luckily I discovered the auto inject pen and well, the rest is history. Darla could be so fussy and would fight anyone she thought might be in her way. She was partially blind and sometimes that someone she'd fight would be the refrigerator, the chair leg, the cabinets, and occasionally another furry one. I love the pictures of Darla wearing her doggles. I don't think she would mind if I tell you now that she hated those doggles. But as long as I would hold her she would wear them. The minute I put her down, she would take them off. I took her to the Opthamologist at Blue Pearl once and she wore her doggles. She sat on my lap in the waiting room, doing her Ray Charles imitation, and people starting coming up and asking if they could take her picture. Even staff came out of the back to look and get pictures. Darla had her 15 minutes of fame (in the waiting room and on Facebook) that day. Darla lived here a little over 2 years. We guess that she was about 15, maybe 16. She had a good life here and I am glad she picked me to take care of her. I learned a lot from
Darla - a.k.a. Madea. I sure am going to miss my
grouchy old lady.
Steve
Steve came to us from Ft. Worth, Texas on February 6, 2018. He had been left in the shelter there with no information. He had seizures and the shelter felt they could not care for him, Steve was rescued by Wild Angels Rescue in Ohio and a dedicated group of volunteers in Texas. Small Paws Dog Sanctuary agreed to adopt him once he was cleared medically. DART (Delta Animal Rescue and Transport) agreed to fly Steve to Louisville. Once here, Steve was seen by our Vet. He appeared to have some neurological issues, but he did well. He really enjoyed being outside and loved to lay in the sunshine. He would melt your heart with his beautiful brown eyes. He fell into the routine here and did real well for about 2 months. Unfortunately Steve suddenly started having seizures again and passed away on April 5, 2018. He was as gentle and sweet as any dog I have ever known and we all miss him so much.
Walter White
Walter White came to live with us when he was 19 years old. He was pretty feeble when he got here, but very determined. He walked slowly but steadily. In warm weather he would travel the yard from one end to the other. Much of our time outside was spent saying, "Do you see Walter?" He loved to eat and could beat most the others at cleaning his plate. Walter got to experience life here for about one year. During that year he gave each day his very best effort. We miss Walter a whole lot, but we are glad he is now where he can run and play without the limitations that age had put on him. Walter White died on January 20, 2018. He was 20 years old.
Run Walter, run!
Earl Scruggs
Earl, age 11, found his way here in 2016 via Facebook. He showed up on my newsfeed and I knew he belonged here. Earl was completely blind and was found wandering the streets of Louisville. Thankfully he was picked up by Louisville Metro Animal Services (LMAS) before he could be injured or killed by a vehicle. I adopted Earl on a Sunday and by the next Saturday he had pneumonia. He had to be hospitalized one night and spent four days (8am till 5pm) at the veterinary clinic on IV antibiotics. Earl made a full recovery. In the spring, Earl developed a cough and the vet suspected asthma. I took a proactive approach to his symptoms and at the first indication of congestion, I used a cool mist humidifier with medicated tabs. I took him to the veterinary opthamologist and the eye exam indicated that his blindness was due to total destruction of his retinas. There was nothing that could be done but it did not appear to cause him any discomfort and it certainly did not slow him down. He mapped the backyard and the house and there are rubber mats at the top and bottom of the steps so he knew where the steps were. He would hear a squirrel before the sighted dogs and was often the first one to the tree. Earl has his own theme song to the tune of the Beverly Hill Billies. It goes like this:
Come and listen to my story 'bout a dog named Earl. Who got real sick and had to go to Blue Pearl. But now he's all healthy and is living in his home, and his momma just told him that he'd never be alone. Well the first thing you know ole Earl's a trillionaire. And the other dogs said "don't you run away from there". They said "cause your living just where you need to be...with the crazy old lady and her dogs from Tennessee". Earl Scruggs went to the bridge on Saturday, August 17, 2019.
Chase the squirrels sweet Earl and lay on the swing in the sun with the gentle breeze all day long.
Clyde
Clyde came to us from Corbin, KY. His owner passed away and the family was unable to care for him. Clyde is diabetic and blind. He was about 12 years old when he came to Special Paws Dog Sanctuary. His owner loved him very much and the vet records indicated that he took very good care of him. He was quite the little gentleman and when you put your hands around him to pick him up, he made a little jump into your hands. He quickly learned how to go down the ramp to go to the yard and in just a little while he learned his way back to the door. He responded when I announced, "medicine time" and expected his treat after his insulin shot. Clyde quickly adjusted to living here.