Enjoying Being Free
A year ago today, we were bringing Sukah home from surgery, though it seems like he has been with us forever. We rescued Sukah a little over a year ago. He was about 1.5 years old at the time and was living outside in the dirt tied to a tree 24 hours, 7 days a week. Unfortunately, the situation Sukah was in, is not uncommon. He was given as a gift to a family that was not planning to have a dog, set-up properly for a dog, or had the means to give a dog the life he deserved. This is often the downfall of giving an animal as a gift to someone. It often turns out to be a bad situation for the animal, and often the humans too, even though the gesture could have been done with the best of intentions. Sukah was given as a gift to a girl who loved him very much, but there was a chain of circumstances that led to his situation. Luckily, they were kind enough to let us into their lives, especially Sukah’s and the girl was brave and compassionate enough to let him go, knowing that was best for him. She still comes to visit him often.
Sukah was hit by a car when he was a just a pup. The family was financially unable to take him to a vet or have his leg fixed, so Sukah grew up with a torn ACL and broken leg. Because he was a young dog, his leg did not develop correctly and he walked with a bit of a strange gait and always sat down to one side. Getting Sukah’s leg checked out was a priority once we brought him home. He had numerous vet visits those first few months with us, getting vaccinated, neutered, and leg surgery. But, I think he might also say, that it was all worth it. Sukah had a long recovery that took all last summer, but following his recovery, he is all play… well, besides his high motivation for food and partaking in long naps.
Sukah has always been a sweet dog, loving other dogs, animals, and humans, though still a bit reserved around men in hats and needs time before he is comfortable with them. When we brought him home, he was quiet, sweet, and a bit shy. He had no recall, was not potty trained, and had virtually no manners. A year later, Sukah is a talker, he knows what he wants and he lets you know. He is full of energy, excitement, fun, play, and joy. He is a cuddle bug, loving, happy, and loyal. In the Winter he loves to lay by the fireplace and get as hot as can be, and in the summer on the back porch basking in the sun. When he first came home his coat was thick and dirty, with matted, metal stained hair on part of his neck. He had a dirty scab layer on his nose, all from being outside full time in the dirt. Sukah now only has to wear a collar when we are out and about, his hair is shiny and soft, his nose is clean and fresh, and he is as healthy as he can be.
Sukah and Maya come with me to care for the rest of our animal residents morning, evening, and midday. They even often ride along for vet appointments. They are loyal to guarding and protecting everyone…except maybe the cats. Sukah plays with the goats and lays in front of the birds’ yards, sleeping in the shade. He doesn’t bother the pigs and loves to play with both Luna and Maya. He runs all over the hills on our hikes, sometimes going a bit farther than we desire. His leg that was injured is still a bit shorter than his other, but the vets gave it as much length as they could. Even still, his hips seem to have evened out, he can sit straight, like a healthy dog does, and he can run and run like every dog should.
Sukah is most always by my side. He goes most everywhere with me and prefers not to be away from me ever. He is a loyal, happy, sweet soul, that we are thankful everyday has been brought into our lives and been given his own.
Here is to a summer of fun in the sun and play!
We love you Sukah-man and hardly remember what life was like before you.
~ Namaste