| I was telling my friend how I was excited about my | | | | a treat, thinking perhaps I could tempt her with this |
| new pending arrival. As a volunteer foster for | | | | and lead her outside. When I returned, I found she |
| rescued Pomeranian dogs, I talked about my efforts | | | | had eliminated in my living room. As I approached, her |
| as often as I could. When I told my friend of the | | | | body shook with terror. Her eyes popped wide open |
| Pomeranian that was to come to me that day, she | | | | and she seemed terrified that I would be angry. I |
| gave me a look of skepticism. The female dog had | | | | cleaned up her area, thinking of the long road Sugar |
| lived her life in a Puppy Mill; forced to give birth over | | | | and I needed to journey on together. When my |
| and over. As her body began to give out, the | | | | friend called again and I told her of Sugar's accident, |
| owners discarded her. Found wandering in a park, a | | | | she asked how I had the patience to let such a thing |
| compassionate person alerted the rescue and we had | | | | happen. "Unconditional", I told her. |
| quickly scooped her up. | | | | Over the next week, this Pomeranian sized bundle of |
| After having extensive tests run at the veterinarian, | | | | Sugar, slowly became accustomed to my home in |
| she was found to be in severe distress. She would | | | | the best possible way she was able to at the time. |
| need to have a major operation, she was extremely | | | | Step-by-step she began to trust me; she would |
| malnourished and she was suffered pure terror when | | | | come over to her food and would wag her tail. She |
| next to any human. She would need to gain some | | | | began to walk with me as I leashed her to go |
| strength before she was able to go into surgery. | | | | outside. In the evenings she would quietly sit beside |
| When my friend asked me if I was really going to | | | | me and we would watch television shows together. |
| "deal" with this dog, I told her," Yes, my love is | | | | She was able to gain enough weight and regain |
| unconditional." | | | | enough strength to endure her needed operation. |
| The Pomeranian, whom I renamed Sugar, was | | | | Handing her to one of the most respected |
| brought to me on a Saturday. I opened my door to | | | | veterinarians that I had ever known; I sat in the |
| see a very fragile looking soul; her eyes looked up at | | | | waiting room and prayed. Hours later, the vet came |
| me with great weariness. Hesitant to even enter my | | | | to tell me the news. I froze, just as Sugar had when |
| home, she slowly reached out her paw across my | | | | she first came to me; I was afraid. Being told that |
| doorstep. I walked further into my living room, | | | | Sugar had made it through the surgery; I felt an |
| speaking quietly and urging Sugar to come to me. | | | | enormous weight lifted from my shoulders. I brought |
| She walked no further than one foot passed the | | | | her home the next day, fully aware of the great |
| entry way; and then she lay down. Any movement | | | | care she would need to recover properly. |
| from me caused her to lay as flat as she could. She | | | | Sugar needed to rest, she needed constant attention |
| seemed to want to blend into the carpet; as not to | | | | to make sure no signs of infection were present and |
| be seen. | | | | I became her nurse. While working, taking care of |
| She continued to lay still but her eyes followed me as | | | | my home and taking care of myself, I also never let |
| I left the room to prepare her dinner. Bringing back a | | | | Sugar feel she was alone. On one dreadfully |
| healthy portion of dog food, I settled the dish near | | | | exhausting day, after cleaning her stitches and giving |
| her. She did not move; in fact, she seemed to sink | | | | her medicine, I sat down to rest and my phone rang. |
| down into the carpet even further. I stepped back | | | | My friend called again, this time asking me how I |
| quite a distance, and only then did she dare to lift her | | | | possibly found the energy to devote all of my |
| head. With what seemed to be great effort, she | | | | efforts to nursing Sugar. "Unconditional", I said. |
| bravely eased herself to the dish and began to eat. | | | | Sugar slowly recovered from her operation, she was |
| My phone rang and I found the call to be from my | | | | now the proper weight and pranced around as if not |
| friend who wanted to know how my "new delivery" | | | | only had her medical problems been treated, she |
| was working out. As I told her of how frightened | | | | seemed to have had the terrible memories of her |
| Sugar was, she asked me if I really could handle | | | | former life treated as well. She became a cheerful, |
| taking care of a Pomeranian that was too afraid to | | | | wonderful Pomeranian; and she jumps and barks, |
| even let me approach her. "Unconditional" was my | | | | begging me to take her outside to walk and play. |
| answer. | | | | She is my best friend now, part of my family. As we |
| That night, Sugar would not allow me near her when | | | | lay in bed at night and she snuggles under the covers |
| I gently tried to connect her leash to take her | | | | with me, I hug her and whisper into her ear, |
| outside. I thought of picking her up, but knew this | | | | "Unconditional". |
| may traumatize her even further. I went to retrieve | | | | |