Ziggy the Piggy

September 09, 2014

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Somewhere in the midst of trying to keep our precious Portland alive on Sunday, a dog showed up to the vet office where we doing a Priceless Pet Rescue spay/neuter clinic. I was in the back isolation room holding Portland when Ashlee told me there was a “pit bull” in pretty bad shape out front that she wanted to me to look at. I handed Portland over to Lisa, cleaned up and went to go check this dog out.

I come out to the front and there was this dog lying in the lobby that kind of looked like a pig. I went to approach him and at first it sounded like he was growling at me but this guy was actually snorting. He had a pretty good gash on his face; he smelled like burnt hair, had a tumor looking thing on his back leg, broken teeth and had the kindest eyes ever. I looked at Ashlee and her mom and said, “I’ll be back, I’m taking him home to foster.” They did not look surprised one bit. I will take it as a compliment!

You see, while I was in the back with Portland a man walked in with a dog, a rope and bike. He was sweating, out of breath and had tears in his eyes. He told Ashlee, “This dog has been burned, smells of infection, and wouldn’t get up. I biked to get him food and water. I carried him here…Please help me.” I don’t know what brought him to that particular vet office but he couldn’t have run into two more helpful people in the form of Lisa and Ashlee Price!

I knew Portland was in great hands so I took this dog and put him in my car. Luckily that day, I had my friends Hope and Bri helping at the house that day. When I got home, we put the “new dog” in the bath. That’s when we realized this poor guy was also covered in ticks. It took 2 hours to get them all off. Poor guy was so exhausted he actually lay down in a tub full of water. With the help of “Jude’s Mom”, Casey, we decided to name him, Ziggy….Ziggy the piggy.

I knew he was in good hands with the girls and he had more people on the way to come meet him so I left to go back to see Portland. As you all know by now, little Portland did not make it. I was so devastated from losing the 7^th puppy of this litter that I completely forgot that I had taken in a new foster…until I walked in the house and saw those kind eyes make contact with me. Here was this dog that was completely abused and neglected but, yet, he was so playful and so full of life. It was exactly the opposite of what I just left from. It was just what I needed to see and was an instant reminder of why I do this.

And while I shed my share of tears for each of the 7 puppies we lost. I woke up the next morning knowing full well that there was a new foster to rehab and rehome. We took Ziggy to the vet and after his checkup the vet estimated he was around 6-7 years old. He also had a heart murmur and an enlarged heart. THAT’S why he’s such a lover. He’s got a big heart!! I’m well aware of the potential seriousness of his condition, but I also realize that he’s still full of life. I once took in a senior beagle who was only supposed to live a few days and that story is still in progress!

Yeah, I know. I was thinking I needed a break, too. Especially after losing the GnR puppies just hours after Ziggy showed up but like my friend Dawn from, Bow-Wow Bakery said, “I like to believe that 28 little paws had a hand in delivering this lovebug right to you.” She couldn’t be more right.

Welcome to, Foster Farms, Ziggy. The Priceless Pets Pittie Crew is going to make sure you’re taken care of and there’s no doubt in my mind we will find you the perfect family. You will never be abused or neglected again.