G and the Mill
>
> The story starts with Taz, a tiny 8lb shih tzu / poodle
> cross who came to live with her humans about two years ago.
> Already in residence was a very old and very wise golden
> retriever named Misiu and despite the size difference they
> bonded immediately. Taz brought laughter to an old dog’s
> final days and Misiu brought comfort and warmth during the
> transition from canine mom to human family.
>
> It was as the snow melted that Misiu passed quietly and
> peacefully with his humans and his beloved Princess Taz by
> his side. As he slid into his forever sleep Taz's
> normally perky tail and inquisitive ears dropped while her
> enormous eyes filled with grief as the light was gone. Taz
> moved away from her humans to sit alone and shiver in the
> cold quiet morning with only the sound of crying in
> a world still brown and dead from winter's harsh winds.
>
>
> Summer was quickly coming to a close and Taz was spending a
> warm day at the beach when she saw another pup and came
> alive. Her people knew Taz needed a companion and the search
> began.
>
> Gizmo was found on the petfinder website and the process of
> adoption began as the nights turned chilly and the rains
> came. Taz became apathetic as the days shortened and she
> spent all her time lying listlessly in her dog bed staring
> out the window at the leafless trees. She showed no interest
> in food and her family worried that getting Gizmo
> couldn't come soon enough, but there were complications
> with the adoption process, so the family started looking at
> other rescues and found Pomeranian and Small Breed Rescue
> (PSBR).
>
> Many dog rescues were researched, but PSBR in the
> Niagara-Hamilton area stood out for their well educated
> volunteers and organization. After a life changing phone
> conversation it was decided that the family would also
> foster a voiceless fur-baby without giving up on Gizmo.
>
> Getting Gizmo became a mission and after many weeks of
> insistent phone calls and tenacious emails the date was
> finally set to make the three hour drive. The adventure
> started on an uncharacteristically beautiful day with
> bright sunshine and air warm enough to roll down the
> window. Taz and her mom were charged with excitement
> having no idea what awaited them at the other end.
>
> The Horror
>
> This was supposed to be a rescue. This was supposed to be a
> sanctuary for those fur-babies lost and homeless. It was a
> nightmare. Gizmo sat in a plastic kennel on the very top of
> three other kennels waiting quietly. He didn't bark. He
> didn't whine. He didn't move. The kennel was filthy
> and flea infested. The strong aroma of ammonia and feces
> filled the air. As Gizmo stared back at his soon-to-be mama
> his tail wagged slightly.
>
> The foster mother grabbed Gizmo by the neck and pulled him
> forcibly from the crate and dropped him on the ground. Gizmo
> immediately scurried into another open kennel and pushed
> himself deep into the back corner. Taz, who had been walking
> around, was quickly picked up by her mom who noticed that
> Taz had fleas crawling all over her... it was time to go.
>
> As the foster mother bent to retrieve Gizmo, Taz’s mama
> said “stop” and while standing six feet away she called,
> in her soft sad voice, "come on Bebe... it's time
> to go home." Gizmo peered around and scampered
> awkwardly past her foster mom to sit at his new mama's
> feet and look up with crusty eyes filled with love. Taz gave
> her mom a lick and was confused by the salty tears,
> because the last time mama cried was when Misiu crossed the
> rainbow bridge.
>
> After exchanging money and piling everyone into the car for
> the three hour ride home the tears fell softly as the
> rain ran in rivers across the windshield. Gizmo's eyes
> were crusted and his nose was runny. He sneezed and coughed
> and shook his head in irritation. His skin was red and sore
> with hair loss all over. Mange? Scabies? Fleas? Who knew,
> but he wasn't going back.
>
> Home...
>
> The crate door will never close again and Gizmo was
> startled when his new mama with her soft voice and gentle
> hands furiously flung the door into the garbage. Gizmo found
> his own way out of the crate and into a warm, bright, clean
> new world. Princess Taz wasn't sure about the new comer,
> but she was curious. After the first whiff Taz backed away
> and stayed away. Perhaps this was not a match made in
> heaven? Gizmo did have a terrible odour and Taz is a
> princess, but with a heart of gold.
>
> Gizmo had a long list of medical problems including an
> upper respiratory infection from close confinement, ear
> infections that cause dizziness, skin problems and hair
> loss from urine, feces, fleas and stress. He has a lack of
> muscle and coordination as he was never allowed to run and
> play. The left side of Gizmo's ribcage is deformed from
> poorly healed fractured ribs and he still has trouble
> breathing. Teeth are broken and many must be extracted due
> to poor diet. His beautiful chocolate brown coat may never
> grow back, but the amazing thing about Gizmo is his spirit.
>
>
> After weeks of antibiotics, Gizmo plays. He runs gets short
> of breath, sneezes and usually falls, but he's full of
> life. He has long term problems with weak teeth, bones and
> skin. He will always have trouble breathing due to lung and
> chest wall damage. Sadly, Gizmo can't do all the things
> a year old puppy should be able to do, but he is finally has
> the chance to try.
>
> Gizmo is a 7.5 pound pure bred shih tzu who came from a
> puppy mill. He is over a year old and was being kept for
> breeding stock when the lady who ran the mill had health
> problems and sold off her dogs. Gizmo was taken to a
> new prison disguised as a rescue who charged enormous
> amounts of money to "save" a dog without providing
> any medical care.
>
> Gizmo is not used to being handled, so he panics when you
> pick him up, but once in your lap he's the happiest
> little guy. He and Taz finally became friends... even if he
> does smell a little due to his skin problems. Taz helped
> Gizmo come out of his shell and build confidence. Gizmo
> hasn't crawled into his crate in weeks and when he does
> decide to have a nap the door doesn’t exist. He still
> doesn't bark, but that’s due to damage to his throat.
> He never growls and has never shown an ounce of aggression.
> He runs to his mama and puts his front paw on her leg and
> begs to be picked up and put over her shoulder for a cuddle.
> It's strange that his back legs jut out at odd angels
> and his head seems too small for his body, but his tail
> never stops wagging.
>
> Taz is reminded of a larger version of a kind and gentle
> soul who passed through her life during the last snow. She
> may still stare out the window, but she isn't alone
> anymore. Taz is alive and tends to look after her special
> companion and her family has gone from calling her Princess
> Taz to Nurse Taz. As the wee ones curl up together on a
> heated dog bed in the dead of winter it doesn't seem so
> cold and lonely.
>
> Stop puppy mills. Read Beautiful Joe. Help a heartbeat find
> a voice. Write your local MP to stop animal abuse.
>
