Forever in our Hearts
Oct 29, 2019
We are so grateful for the incredible adopters who love the seniors the way we do. They take on these precious souls who were discarded when they most needed someone, and they nurture them and fill their world with love, security, joy, and new wonders. They know the heartache will come sooner than most, but they do it anyway … all to make the last chapter of a dog’s life as wonderful as it can be.
When we save a dog from the shelter we rarely know anything of their past or their medical condition – we often don’t even know their age. Ruthie was at least 12-14 years old (the doctor thought older) and, though she wasn’t healthy when she left the shelter, with top-notch medical care she became strong, pain-free and a very happy and loving little girl.
Dianne adopted Ruthie knowing she might not live another year, but she wanted to give her a family and spoil her with love for the time she had left – and Ruthie more than returned that love. She became Dianne’s shadow. Dianne was her everything and Ruthie knew she was the luckiest little dog in the world. But sadly, her life with Dianne was shorter than any of us wanted or expected, and yesterday Ruthie let Dianne know the time had come to say goodbye. Our hearts ache.
Dianne wrote the following for us to share:
“This is so very hard to write. Only a week ago I shared an update letting everyone know how well Ruthie was doing and how much joy she brought to my life … but how quickly everything has changed.
“Over the last few days, Ruthie started refusing food and then water. I took her to the doctor and it was discovered she had some new mammary tumors, but more concerning, a large mass was discovered near her liver – so large that was putting pressure on her diaphragm. Rudi and I talked with the doctor for a long time and decided that the kindest thing to do was to help Ruthie cross the rainbow bridge. As most of you know it is the hardest thing that we will ever do for our babies but it shows them the most love. They trust us to make the right decision for them no matter how hard it might be for us.
“I don’t know much about Ruthie’s life before she was pulled from the shelter by Harley’s House of Dreams, but I do know that from the moment she was safe, she knew nothing but the love she so deserved. I cannot thank Rudi and Dan enough for trusting me to take care of this precious little soul, and while I only had her for a few months, she will be in my memory forever … and always in my heart.”
~ Love, Dianne – Ruthie’s momma
Oct 22, 2019
I received an UPDATE from Ruthie’s mom! This is what she had to say about her precious little girl:
“Ruthie is doing great! I think she gets the most pleasure just being with me. While she tolerates the other dogs, her best friend is Mojo – probably because they are about the same size. Even though she can’t see she makes her way around the house and the yard quite well, only needing help when it’s time to come inside or back into my lap. Soon we’ll be taking her to the specialist to discuss having her mammary tumors removed. Oh, and she found her bark! She has been with me two months now and just the other day started barking!”
Aug 24, 2019
Ruthie has settled right in at her new home. Here she is with her brother, Mojo … they’re buddies already!
Aug 22, 2019
Ruthie is doing awesome in her new home! Her mom, Dianne, says that she follows her everywhere, she spent an hour exploring the backyard this morning, and she’s become her new crochet buddy. The updates from Dianne bring happy tears to my eyes! I’m sure I sound like an emotional wreck, but when it comes to dogs… I can’t seem to help it!
Dianne is going to post some pictures she took of Ruthie over the last couple days, be sure to search through the comments of this post to find them! YAY!!
As always, I cannot thank you enough for supporting our senior dog rescue program “Harley’s House of Dreams”, making it possible for us to give precious little dogs like Ruthie a second chance.
Aug 20, 2019
Ruthie and I said goodbye to one another as she was all buckled in her car seat ready to drive off to her new home. Bittersweet for sure!
Actually, I’ll get to see her regularly and I’m sure I’ll be talking to her new mom almost daily.
Aug 16, 2019
Ruthie’s dental went really well yesterday. She was in the expert hands of board-certified dentist, Dr. Redman. Ruthie had one oral/nasal fistula that was repaired and she lost 19 teeth – leaving 15 teeth, which is amazing because it seems that most of our old dogs have none!
Additional x-rays were taken to check for bladder stones because the ultrasound Ruthie had a week prior wasn’t conclusive. She does not have kidney disease nor does she have a UTI, but she urinates frequently.
All in all, she’s doing quite well!
Veterinary expenses are really mounting, yesterday we paid nearly $3000!!
PS: Ruthie is pictured here with cardiology tech, Jessica!
Aug 15, 2019
Ruthie is on her way to Four Seasons Veterinary Specialists for a (life-saving) dental. Her mouth is so bad that her body is filled with bad bacteria which prevents her from being strong enough to go through mammary tumor surgery – which we hope to schedule in approximately one month. Her body needs all the “health” it can get.
In this photo you can see several donations from our Amazon Wish List: car seat, sweater, harness, and the cute pink blanket.
Aug 14, 2019
Ruthie is busy exploring this morning!
Notice her pink princess tee? It was a donation through our Amazon Wish List. Because we’re not always shown the name of the person who makes a donation through the wish list, we cannot thank everyone, but please know we are VERY GRATEFUL for your support! Thank you!
Aug 9, 2019
Five dogs have vet appts today … starting with Sunflower and Ruthie. Through the afternoon, Elvis, George and Frannie also have appointments. Busy day!
Aug 8, 2019
Perhaps Ruthie has some Chinese Crested in her breeding? PS: I’ve since trimmed her nails.
Aug 7, 2019
Yesterday, Ruthie had 2 doctor appointments. Her first appt was with cardiologist Dr. Heaney at Petcardia Veterinary Cardiology where we received the news that Ruthie’s heart is not as bad as previously reported – she can undergo anesthesia if necessary. YAY!! And her second appt was with ophthalmologist Dr. Burgesser at Animal Eye Center PC. Ruthie’s small eye is likely the result of past trauma, no pain and she had no sight in it at all – Ruthie’s larger eye has a cataract (no glaucoma, whew!) and very limited vision, no pain.
Great news from both doctors! But now we have to figure out the mammary tumors which the biopsy shows are cancer. We’ll hopefully have answers by Friday. Keep this precious little one in your prayers.
Thank you so much for your support and donations, it’s because of YOU we’ve been able to give this little girl a second chance!
Aug 6, 2019
Ruthie had a visitor today!
Aug 5, 2019
A little lovin’ for Ruthie!
Aug 4, 2019
Trish drove the last leg of the journey, bringing Ruthie and Frannie to Harley’s House of Dreams! I took this picture in our backyard this evening. Ruthie is a love bug, she just wants to be held and she has the cutest spotted legs! Frannie was hesitant at first but she quickly warmed up and in no time at all she found a little toy duck to play with!
Aug 4, 2019
Ruthie and Frannie have been in great hands (and loving arms) during their road trip to Colorado. Ruthie is pictured here with volunteer transporter, Mary Lou, who claims to be in love with her!
Aug 4, 2019
Volunteer transporter, Kathy Gardner made sure Ruthie got plenty of love today during her leg of the journey (from Green River, UT to Grand Junction, CO).
Aug 4, 2019
Ruthie and our wonderful transport volunteer, Bonnie, did a little snuggling during their “slumber party” last night while en route to Colorado!
Aug 3, 2019
This morning Eli and Chispita got to see their foster-sisters, Ruthie and Frannie, off on their journey to Colorado! They will arrive at “Harley’s House of Dreams” (our house) early tomorrow evening. We can’t wait!!
Aug 1, 2019
Little Ruthie will be traveling to “Harley’s House of Dreams” in Colorado this weekend – along with Frannie! We’re so excited!
July 23, 2019
It’s been a week and we are still waiting for the biopsy results on Ruthie’s mammary tumors. We’re concerned because she has a grade 3+ heart murmur and we’re not sure if surgery will be possible. Ruthie also has no sight in her smaller eye and limited sight in her larger eye. But that doesn’t stop this rambunctious little 4 pound senior! Ruthie is loving all the attention she’s getting at her foster home in Los Angeles (with America and Maria). Soon we’ll be bringing this little one to Colorado to “Harley’s House of Dreams” and we can’t wait to meet her!
A special thanks to Lynda Hill for this beautiful photo! Lynda is one of our California-based Harley’s Heroes. She spent a little time with Ruthie, Eli, America and Maria on Sunday and she sent me several wonderful photos
July 13, 2019
Little Ruthie saw the doctor yesterday and we have a preliminary update. She weighs 4 pounds, very sweet, 10+ years old, 3 mammary tumors, grade 3 heart murmur, her mouth is rotten, one very small eye which is blind, one normal size eye, she was obviously used for breeding. Of course, we will do everything we can to make sure precious little Ruthie becomes as healthy and as comfortable as possible. Her future will be filled with nothing but kindness and love.
July 10, 2019
Ruthie’s FREEDOM RIDE!! Once again, thank you to our amazing volunteer and foster, America, for pulling Ruthie from the shelter on behalf of Harley’s Dream. We love you, America!!
Thank you for helping us save precious Ruthie and giving her the second chance that she so deserves.
July 10, 2019
Ruthie is SAFE! In this picture she is just about to be handed over to America.
July 9, 2019
This little old girl was dumped at a Los Angeles shelter still wearing her t-shirt and we just received confirmation that she will be RELEASED TO US TOMORROW!! We already named her Ruthie! We’re told that she’s a senior, weighs only 4lbs, has mammary tumors and might possibly be blind – but that’s okay, we’ll provide her excellent medical care and lots and lots of love.
Please keep Ruthie in your prayers until she’s safe in the arms of our wonderful foster, Amercia. We’ll post pictures tomorrow evening. Can’t wait!!
