lick - pet crusader
Wishes Do
In the last issue of Lick Magazine, you read the story of ‘Wishy,’ a senior dog picked up on the streets of Memphis, Tennessee, rescued by the Big East Akita Rescue (B.E.A.R.) in New Jersey and now forever loved and cared for by my husband, Paul, and me. She was named “Wish” by JoAnn Dimon of B.E.A.R. because this Akita was in such bad shape, JoAnn and her village of volunteers “wished” she would make it through emergency bloat surgery. I’m delighted to say, Wish did! And she also overcame pneumonia, heartworm disease and a severe flea infestation that robbed her of her beautiful white coat of fur.
of life. Hopefully in the next issue of Lick Magazine, we will reveal Wish’s age! Like many rescued dogs, Wish has been through a lot, most of which we will never know. I often lament that we don’t share a common language with our canine family members, but I think it’s because actions do speak louder than words. Dogs don’t pay us lip service but rather, show us kindness and a variety of emotions through their body language and devotion to us. That is why it is so amazing to adopt a dog of any age – to make their wish come true: to become part of a family that will love and care for them unconditionally and to whom they can repay with loyalty and companionship. For me, it is so rewarding to adopt a dog in his or her later years and do my doggone best to make those years their best years. It takes time with an animal of any age or breed, but being that my heart falls to senior Akitas, that can be more challenging but also more gratifying. The breed is stoic and stubborn, not quick to let their guard down, yet also incredibly affectionate and loyal to their people. Becoming an Akita’s “people” is one of my greatest joys! The thing to keep in mind when bringing a pet into your life of any age or background, is to give them time. Not 2 days, not 2 weeks, not even just 2 months. Step into their paws for a moment and consider yourself taken into the home of another species, not knowing why, if it’s forever or a day, if they will be kind, and not understanding their language.
Having recently lost our 13-years young Akita, ‘Kiko,’ my husband and I were heartbroken and heard about Wish through a friend. We drove 1,750 miles to the Jersey shore and back to bring this remarkable girl into our home and hearts. In the 8 months Wishy has been our family, she visited Colonial Williamsburg, took part in a Woofstock event, dined at several dog-friendly restaurants, participated in a Fourth of July golf cart parade, and went on a family vacation to the North Georgia Mountains. She recently took an epigenetic test to find out exactly how old she is. We know Wish’s Gotcha Day, November 7th, which we will always celebrate, so finding her birthdate isn’t that important, yet knowing how old a dog is can help with many decisions: 1) Choosing the proper diet, type and amount of exercise; 2) Obtaining wellness testing; 3) And determining what treatments make sense for the best quality
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