Hi everybody! I've been lurking around here awhile and figured I should post and introduce myself and tell you a little bit about myself and my little lady before she gets here. We are adopting Lily from another family that can no longer care for her and her doggy sister the way she should be.
I'm adopting a 2 year old Yorkie mix called "Lily" and I can hardly wait. Looking around the house you'd think we already have a dog. Her bed, toys, food and treats are all waiting for her, my husband even built a little step so she can jump up and down from our bed. Lily was supposed to be here a few weeks ago but she was attacked by a dog while on a walk with her current human in their neighborhood. Very luckily, she was not critically injured but sustained a bite to her back hind quarters that required surgery. She had surgery last week to put in a drain to help prevent an abscess and was given topical and oral antibiotics to help her during this time. I've seen her twice since the attack, visited to bring her a softer collar and just check in to say hello. She's supposed to go to the vet tomorrow and have the drains removed and come home with me.
I received a message from her current human yesterday that she managed to lick the wound so severely that she removed stitches and eventually the drain. She said she would "probably be okay until Friday" and that I could come and visit her. Here's where I need moral support!! The "mom" in me just wants to go and pick her up this minute (the minute I got the message!) and provide care and attention that a healing dog deserves. I'm able to muster up a smidge of patience and understanding because today is a holiday and as this is a non-urgent situation (I hope!) we can wait to take her to her scheduled vet appointment tomorrow. I'd really like to be there although I feel pushback from her owner in this situation. Perhaps I'm creating that on my own. It's a unique one because we're adopting straight from her current owners and not going through an agency or shelter or anything and also because thankfully the owner of the dog that attacked her has accepted responsibility and she has been seen by a vet in her current neighborhood where the other dog's owner agreed to pay for her care.
All that being said, I have specifically told her owners that I'm planning on picking her up tomorrow or Saturday - whatever is best for them and for Lily. I couldn't be more ready for this little girl to be in my life, she already has a made a little paw print on my heart and we can't wait to have her in our home. I'm a compassionate person and I truly can't imagine having to give a dog up or find a new home for someone that I considered my baby. I've given them some time and tried to understand their expectations and need to have some time to transition on their own. At this point however, it really comes down to what's best for Lily and that is most certainly to be with someone who can care for her immediately and make sure those injuries heal properly. We'll see what tomorrow holds and hope together that it's time for Lily to come to her new home.
I wanted to say hello to all of you because you've become an incredible resource for me in my adventures becoming a new dog parent. I've been a dog professional for years, caring for other dogs as a trainer and caregiver. I own my own business where I, with my small staff, have been caring for animals near and far for a long time, but this will be an all new adventure and the first time my husband and I will be dog parents on our own - we both grew up with dogs of course but this will be our very own little girl. As you can imagine we are ecstatic but at the same time, we really want what's best for Lily's health and happiness and to help her have a smooth transition (this is why she stayed with her current humans after her surgery, so she wasn't in a strange place. I'm now regretting it because I think I may have been able to care for her better, this could just be my "momma bear" instinct talking).
At the risk of typing a mini-novel, I'll sign off. From the bottom of my heart, I thank you for the support and encouragement that you've already given me over the last few weeks. I'll keep you posted on Lily and hope to announce her homecoming soon!
