Paw Print

About 8 months ago my parents who have not owned a dog since for 41 years (last dog was Ajax, a dalmatian) dog-sat a friend of a friends dog for the weekend.
I need to tell you now, both parents became so quickly enamored with this dog they baby-sat I felt like my place as the baby in the family had been compromised.  My parents of course have been very fond of my dogs over the past 30 years but this newbie took on a whole new place in my parents heart and lap!
After several of these dog-sitting jobs I had to see for myself what all the hoopla was about which called for a trip to my parents on the Main Line of Phila….omg, this precious little white fluff ball named Zoe was only born to be adored and loved! 
She is so sweet and lovable, I was immediately betraying my dogs by being totally smitten.
Here’s what we know about Zoe from her current owners:  “Zoe was rescued by Last Chance Equine Rescue in Quakertown PA.  They are a rescue organization that cares for horses and small animals. They sent down a horse trailer to New Orleans to rescue the animals that were stranded and abandoned due to the hurricane. Zoe ended up at the Vet office where my Vet friend was working.  She was a foster dog to one of the technicians, my vet friend saw what a sweet animal Zoe seemed to be and brought her home for me to see.  Her foster mom could not keep her as she had two other dogs and wanted to adopt a baby.  The minute he walked through my kitchen door holding Zoe in his arms, l Iooked at her face and said “I will keep her.“We adopted Zoe, signing the papers that Last Chance Ranch provided.  She legally became ours as no one claimed her by the date stated on the papers.
She was so traumatized that we had to hand feed her, and give her water on a spoon.  She did not want to leave our laundry room and interact with us. She continuously shook with fear.She was completely shaved as her fur was so matted when she was rescued there was no other choice.  She looked like she had been skinned.  When she arrived at the hospital, she had a seizure, was suffering from heart worm, fleas etc. to say nothing of the emotional trauma.  They cared for her with love and affection, and physically, she became stronger. Little by little, day by day. she started responding to us.  Her true personality was able to emerge set free by heaps of healing love.
Today, as you know, she is outgoing, loving, sweet, playful, and the dearest animal I have ever known.  She always makes me laugh and at the same time cry, when I think that this loving creature was abandoned due to the horrendous disaster that was Katrina.
I thank you so much for your piece on Zoe.  I love that you are taken with her.  I always think that everyone who comes in contact with her should love her as much as I do.” 
Zoe was fortunate in many ways -  she survived Hurricane Katrina, was brought back to good health by a caring veterinarian, was adopted by a loving couple and have a couple that dog-sit who are crazy about her!  Not to mention, I would adopt this sweet little dog in a heartbeat.
My mother kept saying “if she could only talk and tell us her story, her name, anything…”  but some things are better left in the past.
As a new hurricane approaches the Gulf we can only hope and pray it does not do the damage to human life
and animals that Katrina did - ever again, anywhere.