ROOSTER

2:00 a.m. I hear him whimper. Right on time for his night feeding. I pick up his warm little body and hold him close talking to him while I get him something to drink. He looks at me, sighs and takes his last breath. I`m numb. I sit cuddling and rocking him as I have done so often over the past week. If I let go of him now, it`s forever..I stay awake the rest of the night.

Six weeks ago I got a call from a great family who had brought home a two week old pup and really didn’t know how to care for a baby animal. They were directed to me and I took up the task. This was something I could do well, so I thought. Roosters
story started two weeks before that when he was born into a crack house situation . Rooster`s family, then Beau, saw an ad on the infamous KIJIJI for shepherd x pups and went to London to pick their new family member. There was a discussion of money, the deal was sealed that this baby boy would have a decent home in the near future. Shortly after that visit, our good family got a call to come and get their pup as Mom wasn’t feeding the babies and the woman wanted her money `right now`.
Mom WAS feeding the babies. Crack Addicts always find a way to get their fix.
And Beau came to my house. You all know about the special formulas and mixes and concoctions that we rescuers have come up with to give almost new borns the best possible chance so I wont go into that.
Beau and I settled into a routine of food , play, sleep and he thrived. He was doing very well, so well , I changed his name to Rooster because as soon as there was any light in the room , he would start a little puppy barking act . His little body got fat . He loved wandering in the grass and he was learning so much about life. He refused to eat any kibble but that didn’t concern me. I felt since he hadn’t had proper nourishment enwomb and after birth that he was enjoying the fabulous soft puppy meals he was getting on command. He was eating and drinking on his own so I sent him home to his good family.
But, I did tell them to get him to a vet for a check up asap. They did. He went down hill from there.
I hadn’t asked what breed he was when they needed help. When I was told ShepX, I felt someone either lied to them or there was something wrong with him. He was so tiny, so fragile, so loved.
. I was their last resort. I am humbled, and grateful at the same time. Knowing a special pup for a short time grows an old heart like mine a few sizes . There are more babies that need saving and I need more heart to do that, now that another piece is gone.
Something inside of me said this was going to be a life fight and I was right. The day they brought Rooster to me for the last time, I offered them one of the pups that were here . The good family now has the new family member they wanted. Rooster is safe in Gods arms , surrounded by other little guys like him .
And my heart is broken.
I`ll bury him under the biggest maple in the yard after I kiss him goodbye.
Later