Poppie, a vibrant and affectionate canine, grapples with Cerebellar Hypoplasia, resulting in impaired mobility. This neurological disorder, characterized by the incomplete development of the cerebellum, spares her from pain but renders her disabled, leading to frequent neglect in adoption considerations.
However, in a stroke of luck, mere moments before her scheduled euthanasia, Poppie was welcomed into a fitting forever home. With the aid of a tailored wheelchair, she now navigates through life, embracing joy and contentment to the fullest.
Poppie’s Background
Poppie, a unique blend of German Shepherd and Chow Chow, grapples not just with mobility issues but also struggles with impaired motor skills, balance, and coordination owing to Cerebellar Hypoplasia. Throughout her life, this blend of challenges has seen her shuffling in and out of shelters, unwanted due to the complexities of her condition and a perceived aggression problem.
Her journey took a dire turn when she found herself on the brink of euthanasia in a California shelter. Fortunately, fate intervened in the form of Diane Ewert, a compassionate individual deeply entrenched in the local dog rescue network. Through the grapevine of social media, Diane caught wind of Poppie’s plight, courtesy of an old high school acquaintance.
With a sense of urgency, Diane rushed to the shelter, arriving just an hour before the scheduled euthanasia. Prior to her arrival, she mobilized resources, reaching out to the rescue organization she was affiliated with to ensure Poppie’s safety through a process known as tagging, where the shelter relinquishes custody to the rescue group.
Poppie and Diane Meet for the First Time
When Diane encountered Poppie for the first time, the shelter doors swung open to reveal an exuberant dog eagerly welcoming this new acquaintance into her life. This initial encounter caught Diane off guard, as it marked their first meeting. Poppie, with her endearing wobble, approached Diane, showcasing her unique gait, while Diane couldn’t help but notice the pup’s immediate reactivity, which sounded alarmingly aggressive.
Subsequently, Diane decided to bring Poppie home and introduce her to the other dogs. In that moment, it became evident to Diane that Poppie had been unfairly misjudged by everyone. Despite her intimidating vocalizations, Poppie’s true nature emerged—she simply craved closeness to whatever elicited her reactions. Rather than aggression, Poppie’s behavior stemmed from sheer excitement. Her sole desire was to both give and receive affection.
Finding Poppie a Forever Home
Diane embarked on a mission to secure a forever home for Poppie, and her efforts finally bore fruit! After an extensive search, she found the perfect match in Alberta, Canada, with Christina Powell and her fiancé, Garret. Taking her dedication to the next level, Diane even established a dedicated Gmail account for Poppie to streamline the application process.
When Christina and Garret’s email arrived, it touched Diane deeply, evoking tears of joy. Though almost too good to believe, Diane’s intuition assured her that this couple would offer Poppie the ideal home. Grateful for the seamless progression of events, Diane felt fortunate to orchestrate the entire adoption process for Poppie.
The experience swiftly etched itself into Diane’s memory as an unforgettable chapter in her fostering journey, a sentiment that holds weight considering her extensive history of aiding animals. As a symbol of this fresh start, Poppie’s new guardians bestowed upon her a new name, Timber, marking the beginning of a new chapter in her life.
Timber’s New Life
Timber enjoys a joyous existence alongside her canine companion, Kona, and revels in her specially crafted wheelchair. According to her owners, Timber exudes boundless vitality and displays a determined spirit. Whether engaging in activities or tackling tasks, she maintains a positive demeanor and perseveres resolutely, undeterred by setbacks.
In many ways, Timber’s life mirrors that of any other dog. She manages her condition without the need for medication or constant veterinary intervention. Those who overlooked her due to her disability underestimated her ability to adapt and thrive, proving their assumptions unfounded.
Ensuring Timber’s well-being requires nothing more than proper care, a fundamental need shared by all dogs. Consequently, the couple endeavors to promote Timber’s adoption, utilizing their wealth of knowledge and firsthand experiences, which they generously share online.
Let this serve as a gentle nudge towards the invaluable act of granting a dog a second opportunity. Regrettably, shelters abound with companions akin to Timber, who, for various reasons, find themselves labeled as undesirable. Yet, delving into a handful of rescue anecdotes reveals layers of untold depth and resilience.
At times, all these canine companions crave is a nurturing environment and conscientious guardians to nurture them and unveil their unique personalities. Hence, advocating for their second chances or championing their cause in any capacity remains an endeavor of immense significance.
Spread Timber’s tale far and wide, igniting a spark within prospective dog adopters to turn to local shelters, thereby rescuing these extraordinary, affectionate, and charming companions!