Grace & Foxy

When Virginia Dennett lets her three dogs outside to romp in her back yard, there is a flurry of activity.  Foxy flits around patrolling the perimeter fence, taking in all of the sights and smells.  Grace, the most gregarious of the three, cavorts on her hind legs begging to be picked up.   LuLu trots around, also obviously enjoying being in the grass on a mild day.  Who would believe that these dogs have disabilities?  Certainly they do not seem to consider themselves to be disabled.  They are living a good life. 

Ms. Virginia has a special place in her heart for dogs that are physically challenged and two of her three special needs dogs have come from NACHS.  Grace was adopted in 2010 and Foxy in 2009.

   Grace as shelter dog  #833A                           Grace on Adoption Day with

                                                                            Ms. Virginia's grandaughter, Mae Holyoak

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Grace, a miniature poodle of uncertain age, had only two teeth and was a thin little dog that had been adopted and returned to NACHS twice already due to digestive problems and not fitting into her adoptive families.  Her tongue lolled out in a grin most of the time because of the missing teeth and she seemed to just crave attention and wanted to be held as much as possible.  When Ms. Virginia heard about her through her daughter, Ginna Holyoak, she decided to give Grace a chance in her home.  Ms. Virginia’s own veterinarian immediately pulled one of Grace’s two remaining teeth and put her on Hills Science Diet Senior Small Bites, a dry food.   Grace gained one pound in the first week on this diet and has thrived since her adoption, picking up weight and energy with no further digestive problems.

Grace, at home one year after adoption

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Foxy , a miniature Pomeranian, was 5 years old and could only use her front legs when Ms. Virginia adopted her from NACHS.   After extensive veterinarian evaluation, the cause of the weakness in her back legs could not be determined and Foxy got around walking on her two front legs holding her back legs up in the air.  Within six months of her adoption, Foxy began using one of her back legs and now is in constant motion as she patrols the yard on her three usable legs and holding the fourth leg up just off the ground.

Foxy, with no problems getting around, two years after adoption

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Lulu, an elderly rat terrier, completes the Dennett dog trio.  She is another “rescue” that Ms. Virginia took in after the dog had become disabled.  Lulu is blind, deaf, and does not bark possibly due to a vocal cord injury.    Like the others, Lulu seems completely content, happy and well adjusted.  Much thanks and appreciation go to Ms. Virginia Dennett for opening her home to these precious dogs.