Tales from Tails---Sterling's Story

Tales from Tails

There are some amazing dogs that come through rescue. These animals come in malnourished, afraid of people, noises, and sudden movements, even their own reflection. So many dogs have spent the first few days either hiding under the bed when they catch their reflection in the full-length mirror, or barking their heads off at that other dog.

Sterling came that way. She had come as a stray to animal control, as her time ran out the shelter contacted the rescue and with the help of the fabulous people who volunteer their time to help out these animals in need Sterling made the 2 hour drive to her new foster home.

She was scary skinny with ribs and hipbones sticking out beneath dirty dull fur. She was nearly starved, scared of everything, and covered in over 100 seed ticks that crowded around her eyes, filled her ears, and clung between her toes on each paw. Carefully we bathed her and combed the ticks out of her fur. She was eating three meals a day mixed with a high calorie wet food to help her gain back some of the weight she had lost. She hid in her crate all the time, terrified to come out. She would stare out with giant blue eyes while she hid.

Coaxing her with treats and soft voices, praising and stroking for every step out of her crate, slowly she began to come out her shell. She would steal the stuffed animals and hoard them in her crate. It became a game of stealing babies. She'd take them from the other dogs and they'd sneak in to steal them back. She stopped cowering in fear at every turn and started playing with the other dogs.

She gained enough weight to be spayed. The vet noted a lump on her belly and requested her regular vet look at it. The biopsy revealed Sterling had breast cancer. She needed to undergo surgery to remove the lump and surrounding tissues. Her pending adoption fell through when the potential family learned of her cancer, unsure they would be able to care for a dog that was sick with their own three children. Sterling's surgery was a success, all the cancerous cells were removed.

Who would adopt a dog with breast cancer? A dog that needed monthly self exams to feel her belly for any tale-tale lumps. Sterling had become a great dog, affectionate and playful with a desire to please. She was happiest chewing on one of her babies or resting her head on any available lap while getting her ears scratched. She needed to find her perfect home.

That was nearly 8 months ago. Sterling was adopted by a great young couple, which had a husky of their own with special needs. Ty the husky has epilepsy and makes frequent vet visits. He is Sterling's best friend and when he goes to the vet for his check up, she goes for her breast exam.