[News] Thumbelina Doesn't Let Birth Defect Slow Her Down
 

Shelly Freed didn't mean to end up with another dog.

But at a dog show, a breeder approached Freed about a Yorkshire terrier puppy who had been born 11 days premature and was severely crippled.

The breeder knew that Freed was involved in Yorkie rescue (a rescue for Yorkshire terriers), so she asked Freed to see if she could find a home for the crippled dog. Freed agreed, but when she saw the dog, she knew she wouldn't have to look far for a new owner.

"I said, 'I will take her, no questions asked,' " recalls the Scottsdale woman.

Since then, the dog has thrived. She doesn't know she is crippled, says Freed, and she can outrun the other four dogs in the home.

"I am normally really good about placing dogs without a problem. You can't keep all of them. But this one, no. I truly think that it was meant to be."

What is your pet's name? Thumbelina.

How did you choose your pet's name? Her very small size.

Where did you get your pet? In Denver in August 2001.

What is your pet's worst habit? Going "wild" and biting at our other dogs or at our heels. When the doorbell rings, she goes crazy!

Has your pet ever embarrassed you? Due to her physical appearance, her spine is curved and several times while we're walking her, people will stop us and say "Your dog is trying to go to the bathroom." We smile and say, "No, that's just how she walks."

How do you celebrate your pet's birthday? Every year is a pleasant surprise, since when I first brought her home from Denver I was afraid she wouldn't even make it to her first birthday. When she turned 5 this past March 22, I was so grateful for these years with her.

What's the best thing about your pet? Thumbelina is a Delta Pet therapy dog. We go into nursing homes for pet therapy and a local elementary school doing reading therapy with children. She is a terrific inspiration as she has overcome her handicaps and gives hope to others.

http://www.azcentral.com/arizonarepu...eople0722.html

what a sweet story it just touches your heart.:D :thumbup:

What a beautiful and touching story.

Yeah!!
 

Bless this woman's heart - I'm so glad Thumbalina found such a nice mom!!

Riley's Mom:aimeeyork

The world needs more loving and caring people like her! WAY TO GO!
Thanks for sharing this wonderful story!

This story touched my heart. :hearts-xx

You hear about a lot of people only wanting teacup yorkies, or purbred, or a specific color yorkie <or any other breed for that matter> and there isnt anything wrong with that, but its refreshing to see a pup in this situation that gets to have such a wonderful home. Its easy for perfect pups to get loving homes, but so often these young ones get looked over in the pursuit of the perfect dog. Its stories like this that reminds us how wonderful people are...this was a touching story, thank you for posting this.

Years ago we found a home for a handicapped yorkie puppy. His front paws were fused straight. He would jump around and play all of the time. We gave him to someone in our family. This little pup lived 16 happy years. We now have Cupie(3pounds) who has a turned knee cap and limps badly. We had children in wheel chair at our church. The little girls seemed to love that Cupie has to be in a chair like them. They loved her so much. We also now have Me-Me(2.5 pounds) who has a heart condition. We took them all to the nursing home that my father-in-law is in and the sweet ladies in wheel chairs didn't want to give them back. We put Cupie, Me-Me and Luca(3.5 pounds) in matching pink dresses and bows in their pink stroller. Can't wait to take them to visit again. Yes...we love the special needs babies at our house.

I too, have a tiny with walking problem.

The breeder I had become friends with after purchasing a little girl, had told me about 'Angel Baby' soon after she was born. She weighed 1/2 oz. when born, (hard to imagine) of course they didn't think she would live more than a few hours or days but she wanted to eat and thrived. She fell totally in love with this little thing but finally realized that she didn't have the time to devote and the little thing was failing. Well, she knew that I have no children, don't work outside the home, and could watcher her 24/7. When I brought her home she was 9 mos old and 1.1 lb. She could take one or two steps and fall. After all the tests and xrays, her spine was fine and the Dr. said it is in the cerebrial area of the brain. Basically,she has cerebrial palsy. We really didn't think she would live more than a month when we got her but ALAA! She is doing wonderfully. She can do this little drunken walk/run for a good 10 feet now!! She eats like a little piggy, and has the BEST little personality. She has just reached 2 lbs this last week although I think that might be a couple oz of hair. She has a beautiful, thick silk coat. She loves the outside and getting through the grass has been excellent exercise for her. She however, cannot walk on any smooth surface such as tile, or hardwood floors. So, I keep towels laid down for her in an area around her kennel and cushions. She is also good about going on her pee pad.

Angel Baby has been a blessing for me. I hope she will live many years. She turned a year June 9.:thumbup:

would love to see a picture of her!

What great stories. All these little babies that have over come some incredible obstacles. Pics, pics, and more pics, please!

What a touching story!:)

This is a beautiful and aspiring story of how when one puts their mind to it anything can be done and Thumbalina has proved this.
Congrats.

That is just the sweetest story it almost makes me want to cry and i don't cry to easily.

I love the special ones the most. They are a gift from God to us. He knows we love them all unconditionally.

Has anyone ever seen a picture of her? I'd like to...bet she's cute

I clicked on the link and it took me to the article in an Arizona paper...but no picture.

These kinds of stories are so heartwarming and reminds me of a D.H. Lawrence quote that I think is very appropriate:

I never saw a wild thing feel sorry for itself. A bird will fall frozen from a bough with out ever feeling sorry for itself.

Puppies with special needs don't know they have special needs; they just want love just like everyone else. God bless people like these who know that.

Very touching!!!

Thumbelina Doesn't Let Birth Defect Slow Her Down
 

I have had the pleasure of meeting Thumbelina and Shelly at a Yorkshire Terrier Specialty Show in Pomona CA a couple of years ago. I will have to see if I can find my pictures from that trip.
Lisa