THE FABLE OF HOPE Part II

By: Lee Forlaw-Hoff

We left off with little Hope settling in with her foster family.

Over the months prior to her surgery to remove her deformed right leg and shoulder she learned many things. Hope learned to position her “bad” leg under her body so that she could maneuver around without the loss of balance. This did work for her most of the time although she was not able to just get up and run without thinking of how to do that. She had to learn how to perform everyday tasks such as going up and down steps, eating and drinking out of her bowls without loosing her balance. Most of all she learned that with the love and support of her foster family (humans and canines) anything was possible. Through is all she remained an energetic and playful puppy.

On August 1 st, Dr. Scavelli performed the amputation of her right leg and shoulder. Foster Mom Lee Forlaw-Hoff and SHGRR Director Lana Winter visited Hope in the hospital the first night following her surgery. Hope was in obvious pain and was in need of comfort. The visit was heartbreaking for all concerned. She was expected to stay two days in the hospital.

On August 2 nd Lana received a call from the hospital advising her Hope was doing very well and could go home that evening if we wanted her to. Lee and Jeanne Perciaccanto were to visit Hope that evening. They both decided that they would wait and see how she was doing themselves before making the final decision to take her home ahead of schedule. Instead of being carried into the visiting room, as she was the night before, Hope came walking in on her own little legs. She was so happy to see her foster mother that she was standing on her hind legs trying to jump up into her arms. It didn't take long for Jeanne and Lee to decide that Hope was going home.

Under the care of Dr. Laura Taylor and her foster family Hope healed quickly from her surgery. She was not very happy about the limited interaction she had with her foster siblings for the next couple of weeks.

Hope turned six months old on October 14 th . She has had so much happen to her since she entered the SHGRR program at the age of seven weeks. She is now a healthy, happy and very bright little girl. She has finished her training and is ready to take on any challengers for the title of “Olympic Gold Metal Champion Counter Surfer”.

Like her brother and sister canine siblings Hope gets into her share of trouble. She is still very much a baby although she now weighs about thirty pounds. She still wants her time resting her little head on her Mom's chest to listen to the heart that loves her so very much.

After being spayed in late September by Dr. Steven Wertz at the Barnegat Animal Hospital , Dr. Laura gave her a clean bill of health. Hope was ready for her final step in the program. Adoption. Her foster parents and siblings could not let her go. They had all been though so much together and all shared a deep love for this little one.

On October 8 th , 2006 Chuck and Lee, with the blessings of Lana, adopted Hope. For Hope there is a wonderful life of love and caring ahead of her. Hope brings to her family the beauty that she is both inside and out. They have all been blessed by the gift that God has given them, each other. Hope completes their lives.

The moral of our fable is…. Every life has meaning, grace and purpose. It is our responsibility to care and protect all the creatures of the earth. There is beauty and love in all living beings.

And they will live, happily ever after…..