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 This is the story of a young lady named Heather McDougall, and the sweet little special needs pug named Izzy that she adopted in September. Following is the letter Debbie Gretz wrote to Heather's mother to express her appreciation for her influence and support in Heather's decision to adopt Izzy.
Hi Heather's mom,
Heather did not tell me your name so you are MOM. I just wanted to tell you how very impressed I am with Heather! She is a very special young lady! My name is Debbie Gretz and I am the adoption coordinator for Mid-Atlantic Pug Rescue in Northern Virginia. On a Thursday night a few weeks ago, an e-mail went out to a few volunteers about a little one-eyed, 2-year old female pug in a rural shelter in the Shenandoah Valley area - was there someone that could pick her up within the week? I can't stand for any pug to be in a shelter so I said I would go do it Friday morning, first thing! This was September 14th and the little girl's name was Izzy. It was reported that other than having one eye and not really being potty-trained, she was healthy and normal. They had adopted her out twice and she had come back twice "because she was not potty-trained". When I arrived at the shelter and they led me back to the kennels, I found the sweetest little pug girl that was so excited to have any attention! I was alarmed when I watched her run to my voice and crash right into the side of the cage. She seemed so disoriented and I couldn't get her out of there fast enough! I filled out the paper work and picked her up and was smothered with pug kisses. I took her outside to see if she would potty and watched her run in circles with her little head tipped to one side. She kept running into my legs and I realized she wasn't seeing anything. We had a 2 hour drive home and so many things went through my mind as Izzy slept quietly next to me. I was very concerned that Izzy had some serious issues and I wondered how we would ever find the right home for her. When I got her home and watched her further, I was sure she was blind in the eye she did have, and suspected some neurological damage. I cried a little when I watched her. I had been given Heather's phone number and information, but was so skeptical of placing this very special needs pug with a young girl that was a first time dog owner and worked full time. I spent some time talking with Heather on the phone about Izzy and I was so impressed with all she knew about the care and training of dogs, but also how undaunted she was with every possible problem I threw her way. I think I was really trying to talk her out of it. She really wanted to see Izzy, so I had her come out on a Saturday afternoon. We both sat and talked and watched Izzy outside. We took her inside and watched her try to navigate through the house, running into tables and walls and the other dogs. I told Heather that Izzy may not even be potty trainable (in 2 days, she had only pottied in her crate at night) and once again we went over every possible scenario, but Heather was so positive and had a solution for everything. I felt so moved by her commitment and asked her if she would like to take Izzy home for the rest of the weekend to see how things go. This is not our usual procedure at all, but I thought this was a special case and Heather needed some time with Izzy before a week of work and before making such a big decision. We had a Monday morning vet appointment scheduled and Heather agreed to meet me back here and we would both go with Izzy. The vet confirmed our worst fears, but was so positive about the outcome and commented on what a happy, spunky little dog she was despite her past and her limitations. It was emotional to say the least. The vet told us that Izzy walked with her head tipped due to trauma to the head and possible brain damage. Also, that that may have something to do with why the eye on that side was missing and why she runs incessantly in circles. The vet also told us that she was blind in the other eye due to a deep puncture wound at some point in her 2 years of life that had healed and left scarring from the eye surface to the back of the eye globe. She told us Izzy could possibly detect a little light, but that was all. Heather and I fought back the tears and asked more questions about her care and her future. When we left the office, I told Heather, once again, that she was not obligated to adopt her, and she hugged her and told me she loved her too much, that they were in this together through thick and thin. We both cried. Heather adopted Izzy and set about creating a safe place at home for her that included wrapping corners and table legs with bubble wrap! She altered her work schedule so that she could come home twice during the day to work on potty-training. Izzy is almost completely potty-trained now and Heather is learning how to give her leash cues to help her with moving forward and being confident enough to step onto different surfaces. What a bond of love and trust they already have, and it has only been two weeks!
I told Heather that I wanted your address to let you know what an amazing daughter you have raised. She mentions to me how often you talk and how she calls you with questions and for advice almost daily. Thank you for supporting her in her decision to adopt Izzy and for teaching her such great responsibility and accountability for the dogs in your families life! I have a small pug social planned at my house this Saturday and 8 pugs will be there, including Izzy. Heather said she is so excited for me to see how well Izzy is doing! I can't wait!!!
Sincerely,
Debbie Gretz
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