On the 4th of July, a stray dog was brought into the Brooklyn Center for Animal Care and Control. She had escaped from a burning building. The pads on her feet were burned off completely, her fur was singed all over, and she was covered in lacerations. No collar.
No one came forward for her.
Email came in from Nanette, dog rescue queen and friend of mine. She had seen this little girl’s face, and thought of our little family, our love of underdogs. Did we want to pull her before they euthanized her?
Those eyes told me all I needed to know. Those eyes, and the fact that she’d been nothing but sweet and gentle with everyone who had to treat her painful wounds.
Yes. Yes, we did, we would.
And yes, we did.
Meet Fanny, whose July 2010 has been pretty appalling. Burns, lacerations, no home, almost put down, reeking of soot, got kennel cough, wound up in a kind halfway home for dogs waiting for their real homes (thank you, Lawanna), got spayed, then onto a transport headed to New England. This little girl has been through the ringer. Her back is pretty mangled, as if she might have crawled through a broken window:
Sophie went with me yesterday to the Bennington Friendly’s parking lot, where we scooped up Fanny and her friend Molly from the transport van. Molly will be fostered by Sophie’s best friend’s family.
We were technically a “foster-to-adopt” family. Yeah.
A little more than 24 hours later, and we are never letting go of Fanny girl. Some things are just meant to be. I’m going to stop asking why.
{ 35 comments… read them below or add one }
Sniff..gulp..sob. Totally meant to be. <3 Bless you.
Oh, that face! Welcome to the family, Fanny.
That first photo is so heartbreaking, and the second so heartwarming. Thank you for adopting her! She’s a lucky, lucky girl.
That is the most heartwarming before and after ever. I know there will be many years of mutual love and affection between all you girls.
Heart-warming! The difference between Fanny’s pound photo and her “forever home” photo is unbelievable. She’s a beautiful dog. I can almost feel her soft silky fur right through my monitor. Congratulations on your new furbaby. May you have many wonderful years together.
Oh, how amazing. What love, and what a pretty girl. July may have sucked, but I think the rest of Fanny’s year (and her days) is gonna rock.
Oh, what a beautiful girl! The transformation from photo 1 to photo 2 is so happy to see!
Jenn, Nanette found me my soul dog and it was very much like you described. With 18 hours left till she was put down, not spayed, kennel cough and we foster-to-adopted her. She is the best dog and truly my canine soul mate. The first day we got her I told Nanette to just send the adoption agreement instead of the foster.
I am so happy for you and for Fanny! Happiness is ahead for both of you!
From now on it will be Fortunate Fanny to have found a mum like you!
That picture of her back is heart breaking. I know you will take fantastic care of her and she will reward you with unlimited love. Congratulations on the new addition to your family! Very happy for you.
beautiful, beautiful, beautiful. I wish I could have a dozen, but I’m settling (for now) with just my one rescue doggie – what a gift those furry friends are, huh? Sending along pats and belly rubs to Fanny.
Warms my heart I tell ya….it’s why I do what I do. The whole transport was a success…three of my rescues on board. Huge lunk of love Mack is doing GREAT in his new foster to adopt home in NJ, Molly is charming the socks off the Benjamin family, and sweet Fanny has hit the jackpot with you and the girls (not to mention Eli and Carlita.) All they want is a chance….a chance to experience what a loving home is supposed to be. I’m grateful to you my sweet friend for giving her this opportunity. I know she is telling you herself in her own way.
It’s a good day in the rescue world. Yep, it certainly is.
God love you, Jenn, for taking this pup in. She’s a cutie, definitely a keeper. You are lucky to have each other.
Oh, my heart, she is broken (and remade). Thank all the gods for such good people, and good dogs that find them.
Yay for people like you! And she sure looks like a sweetie! We just adopted another little dog that needed saving last week, and I’m head over heals for our “Cracklin’ Rosie”. Congrats on your new addition!
Oh, oh, oh, oh, I’m crying in front of my computer here at work. It happens often when I read BEAW…
God bless you and yours, dear Jenn.
And a big “Welcome” to you, Fanny girl – you’ve come home.
xoxoxoxo
Welcome, Fanny.
This is the awesomest bit of awesomeness I’ve seen in ages. Bless you Jenn, for your big heart. Congratulations to you and your whole family and to Fanny for finding your ways to each other.
I have nothing to say except this is glorious news on all fronts.
God Bless you, Jen.
i love fanny. and you mattern girls. eli too, of course
xoxoxol
Oh my god. That first picture of her made me burst into weeping. I’m not even being hyperbolic. She obviously so needed to know that she would be safe and have her place. I’m so glad she found you. Keep us posted!
Wow what an expressive face! And what different emotions being expressed. Like a phoenix she has been reborn! Lucky dog.
Oh my goodness. I can’t decide whether to cry or smile so I’m smiling around the lump in my throat. Those eyes in the first photo are so haunting in their gentle integrity and love. It makes me feel so glad that she found a forever home with you and your girls, and that you and your girls found her.
Touching story, Sparky. You continue to show what an amazing person you are…and Fanny obviously knows it too.
Lucky, lucky, lucky dog to have found a family like yours. Thank you for giving her a happy ending to a really bad month for her.
I love this dog. If I wasn’t so darn allergic, I’d be adopting dogs and kitties like crazy. And I can’t stop looking at her ‘pound’ photo — those eyes, and her ears popped up, like she could hear your voice saying “don’t you worry one bit, little lady, you’re coming to live with me and my two beautiful girls!!” Wonderful entry, fantastic story.
Oh, how wonderful! Poor Fanny, having to go through all of that. But I’m sure she’s feeling the love overflowing in her new home.
oh, fanny! you little russet nugget, you. here’s wishing you a long and lovely belly-scratchful life!
You have a heart of gold. Seriously. Welcome to Fanny!
Congratulations, Fanny!
The universe has brought you together. You have much to learn from each other. You will love and take of one another. It is a perfect match. Mazel Tov!
I can see Fanny smiling in photo 2. That’s always a great thing.
Congrats Jen, and Fanny. Such joy!
You are so wonderful. Congratulations on your beautiful new daughter, all the very best to your little family.