Peachy, our rescue dog, lit up our lives
My fiancé and I are passionate about animal rescue. In March, realizing Iwould beworking from home for several months, we decided to bring home a new dog.
Our little, one-eyed Shih Tzu, Bonnie, was still missing her sister whom we had lost the previous summer. Plus, there would be plenty of time to acclimate a new family member.
Well, what do you know? For the first time ever, Chicago shelters were empty. The adoption of so many rescue dogs is one of the few, positive things to come fromthis dreadful year. It took us over a month to find her, butwe eventually brought home our sweet Peachy.
Peachy was estimated to be 12- to 14years-old andwas also, likely, a Shih Tzu. Shewas partially blind and, unbeknownst to us, in advanced renal failure. Peachy had been found as a stray in Joliet. She clearly had lived in a home because she was potty-trained and not afraid of people.
How anyone could give up their dog, I’ll never fathom. The rescue organization told us she had been adopted out for 10 months but then was returned because of her severe allergies. We knew we would be giving her multiple eye medications, injections and a restricted diet. Wewere committed to making the rest of her life the best of her life.
Peachy lay in the sun all summer. She bossed us around for treats. She had weekly medicated baths and snuggled under blankies with her new sister, Bonnie.
Peachy became totally blind over the summer, andwe held her tight whenever shewas scared. In the fall, she became ill andwas diagnosed with end-stage renal failure. After exhausting all treatment options, we couldn’t let her suffer, so in November, we let her go to meet my dad on the other side.
Dog rescue almost always ends in heartbreak, but senior dogs do something a little different. They fill up this hole in your heart you didn’t even know existed and then leave in the blink of an eye.
We will take the pain for Peachy. She lit up our lives during a brutal time. She made us laugh every single day. I had just bought Peachy a red winter coat. You could tell she felt cozy and safe in it by the way she strutted downthe street. Now her coat hangs by the door, where it will stay, until we find another dog who needs a home and a little, red winter coat.