All Hail the Queen
Some folk think HELL is not real. It is. She lived it. She experienced it. She survived it. For six years, Elizabeth was nothing but a breeding machine. She was kept in the dark in the crate. She attempted to gnaw her way out and in so doing, several of her teeth broke loose. When she became too old and could produce puppies any longer, she was of no use. She was abused. She was neglected. The call came in. Transport had begun. Rescue would take place. She would be arriving at our home. Were we ready? Did we have all that was necessary to make her feel safe, secure and most of all loved? She arrived. We knew her spirit had been broken. She was afraid of touch. She was anxiety ridden. It was as if she had no where to turn. We learned that she did not know how to leave our home. She was unfamiliar with taking a walk. Placing her in a vehicle was the worst nightmare. She associated the travel with being taken to be impregnated. We never took her for car rides. We never took vacation. We could not take the risk. We could not even take her for a vet visit. We actually paid for a mobile vet to assure her she would not be leaving HER home. Gradually, we saw her personality. If she wanted a rub or touch, she would butt her little head into your hand. That was HER permission for you to return her affections. There were other small triumphs. The first time she laid on her back for us to rub her belly. She looked like a big ole walrus. She was our queen. She was Queen Elizabeth.
