Sparky
Sparky was a 14 year old border collie/pointer mix who was abandoned by her family at the vet to be euthanized because she was “too old” and they were done taking care of her. Little did they know that Sparky was simply a diabetic and needed insulin, and whatever “old dog” problems they had with her were easily treatable. But when they were alerted to the simple treatment, they didn’t care. They were done, and besides, they had two other dogs to keep them occupied, including a new puppy. Knowing that it was such a cruel and awful thing that Sparky’s family had done, the Smith family took Sparky in to try and find her a new home, and Young At Heart agreed that Sparky should be our next Sanctuary Dog. The Smiths agreed to become a Sanctuary Home for Young At Heart, so Sparky could enjoy her finals years with the people she had come to love and trust.
May 24, 2008
Hi Everyone, Sparky here.
I know it’s been a long time since I’ve written but I have had a LOT of things going on in my life. Oh, where do I start? I guess the beginning is always good. As you know, I was rescued at the LAST SECOND from being euthanized (and I mean the last second – I was already in the vet’s office! Yikes!) My former people didn’t want to take the time to find out what was wrong with me and let me tell you, I was one sick puppy! After living with my foster family for only three days, my foster mom Pam, figured out that I have diabetes. After several trips to the vet, I got the medicine I needed and started to feel better. My foster mom tried to find a nice home for me because she already had two senior dogs and wasn’t sure she could give me the care I needed. I knew that if I gave her my “sad puppy look” enough times and wagged my tail every once in a while (I wasn’t very good at the tail wagging thing, but now that I’ve had practice, I’m getting better at it), that I could win her over, and just as I knew it would, it worked.
She fell in love with me and told me that I could stay, and here I am! Then she found out how much all of my medicine was going to cost and started looking for someone to help. After searching for a very long time (and I should know because I was the one laying at her feet the whole time!) my foster mom found YAH. They talked many times and then one day my foster mom was reading her computer and got all excited, saying that YAH had accepted ME as their Sanctuary Dog! I couldn’t believe it! Someone I didn’t even know was willing to accept me just as I am! How cool is that? These humans are amazing! I sure am glad my foster mom was there to save me. Everyday I find something new to play with or just have my foster family pet me and give me love. It’s awesome.
Some of you, who have seen me in person, know that I had some really ugly lumps and bumps all over my body. After many months of blood tests and trying different medications, Dr. Flaska (whom I love dearly) finally got my insulin regulated and my liver enzymes under control so that he could remove all those “things” from my body. Four weeks ago I had my surgery and I’m doing GREAT! I have a few large areas with almost no hair but I don’t have anymore lumps and bumps! I think it’s a pretty good trade off, don’t you? Besides, my hair will grow back and hopefully my bumps won’t. I love to go out and chase my tennis balls (I’ve stolen most of them from my “BIG” brother Duke), go for long walks (hey, they seem pretty long to me!) and my very favorite thing is getting loves and hugs and kisses from my foster mom. She tells me everyday that she loves me no matter what! Can you believe that? She says that no matter what I do, she will ALWAYS love me! When I first got here I didn’t really believe that because I thought that my other people felt that way too and look what happened. Anyway, I now know that she means it because I get more love now everyday than I ever got before! I am very happy here in Villa Park with the Smiths.
Yesterday my foster mom told me that we are going to be making some appearances at Young at Heart events that are coming up. I am so excited! I get to show off my new look (lumpless and bumpless) AND I get to meet a lot of new people! I think she waited to tell me so that I wouldn’t get too excited. I love riding in the car and can’t wait for “Ride For Kids” May 31 at Des Plaines Honda, 550 E. Northwest Highway, in Des Plaines. Hey! Maybe I can get a ride on someone’s Harley! Only kidding. I don’t have a helmet or goggles. I am also going to be at Palatine’s Farmer’s Market June 7 and June 21. I will write again to let you know how much fun I have at each of these happenings.
Well, that’s all for now. I hope to see you at some of these great events.
Love,
Sparky
PS: I sent a couple of pictures of me with my toys and one with my two brothers Duke, my “BIG” brother and Dexter my “Little” brother. I sure am glad that they let me join the family. I love my whole foster family sooooooo much!
November 13, 2009
Hey Everyone, Sparky here.
I guess it’s been quite a while since anyone’s heard from me. I don’t know if anyone knows it, but I celebrated my 16th birthday this past July. It was really cool. My mom and dad had party for me and everything! There were decorations, games (for the people) and most importantly FOOD for people and us dogs. My two brothers helped me celebrate too. Dexter, my little Yorkie brother is great at finding food that people have dropped so I hung out with him for awhile to see just how he finds it. He never did show me the trick but I was able to snitch a few treats on my own. (All I have to do is show my beautiful “puppy eyes” and the food is MINE!!) Duke, my BIG brother (he’s a yellow lab who is twice my size) tried to show me how to get cake off of the table but he got caught and sent into the house so I decided to behave myself.
Speaking of behaving myself… I try. I reeeaallly do, but sometimes I just need to be me. (Mom says she likes me best when I’m me) Anyway two times I got into things that I shouldn’t be in (like the garbage and eating corn cobs that our crazy neighbor puts out for the squirrels and raccoons) and got myself into some real trouble. I got very sick both times and had to go see Dr. Flaska. I love Dr. Flaska. He always makes me feel better when mischief gets the better of me and I end up getting sick. The first time, my brother Dexter and I decided to get into the garbage. Someone had thrown away a perfectly good chicken carcass and lots of yummy gravy. I got almost all of the chicken and bones (Dexter only has 2 teeth-he’s only 1 year younger than me) but Dexter got most of the gravy. I got sick and had to visit Dr. Flaska and Dexter ended up in the hospital for almost a week! Mom was not happy with either of us. (But she says she always loves us.) The last time when I ate the corn cobs, I ended up in the hospital for a couple of days because they got stuck and I couldn’t go potty anymore. That was sooo notfun. I’m all better now thanks to all of the people at Arlington Hts., Animal Hospital, Golf Rose Emergency Care Facility (I had to stay overnight there because of the corn cobs) and of course thank you to all of the wonderful people of Young at Heart Pet Rescue.
I hope to be able to attend a few of the functions that are coming up so I can see all of my friends. The last couple of get togethers I wasn’t feeling real well so Mom said I couldn’t go. See, now that I’m a very mature 16 years old, a few things are starting to not work as well as they used to. For example, my hips don’t always want to hold me up so I sometimes fall down. I usually get right back up but it hurts when I’m not on the carpet. Dr Flaska says I have something called arteritis or arthritis or something like that and so I have to take medicine so it doesn’t hurt so much. I still have to have my insulin shots so I don’t get sick from diabetes but I don’t mind because I remember how bad I felt before Mom helped me.
In the first week of October Mom and I celebrated our 2 year anniversary! I will never forget the day that Mom came into my life. She told me that since I was so sick back then that she didn’t think I was going to get better, but look at me now! Two Years! Mom gives me hugs all of the time and tells me how lucky she is that I came to live with her. I love living here and being a part of the Smith Family! Here are a couple of pictures of me and my family.
I hope to see you soon at one or more of the upcoming events.
Lots and lots of Love,
Sparky
November 18, 2009
Hey Everyone!
My mom didn’t get this to YAH soon enough for you to read it before I got sick. But that’s lucky for me because I came back to tell you all that I found the Rainbow Bridge and am VERY happy. I was at home and my mom, Pam, my dad, George and my two brothers, Duke and Dexter were with me the whole time as I crossed over. Everyone that I loved most was there. I’m not sick anymore and I can run and play again. I also found my friends Natalie and Fredd and even some of my brothers and sisters. I loved all of you and want to thank you one last time for all of your help in making the last 2 years of my life the best I ever had. I know you will miss me but there are other “friends” that need you now. OH! Sorry I have to go now. I see that there are treats falling from heaven (a gift from God’s angels) and I want to get my share! I can also hear my name being called to come and play. I LOVE THIS PLACE! I will be happy waiting for everyone to cross the bridge with me.
Love Always,
Sparky
