This is another story from the past--it appeared in the Leaf Chronicle in January 2009. It's the story of a little dog who wasn't the prettiest, wasn't the best, but found love in someone's heart and lived the remainder of her life in splendor. Isn't that what Christmas is all about???
Every so often, something really special happens in the animal rescue world that gives hope to the cause.
Such was the story of the life of the wonderful canine known to us as Ms. Phoebe, who passed over the Rainbow Bridge on Christmas Eve.
Against all odds and obstacles, she did something no one ever expected her to do. She found a place in someone's heart, and happiness in a forever home.
The journey began four years ago, under the same circumstances as most abandoned animals: stuffed in a carrier in the dark of night. She was left by the dumpster at Cats Are Us here in Clarksville.
The nine year old dog had already been dealt a rough hand and didn't have much going for her. She was missing one eye missing, and part of her left ear. Her crooked teeth made her look even stranger. She was unattractive, unkempt, and unspayed.
But even though physically defective, a light of love and devotion dazzled within this dog like that of a shining star.
Her picture was posted on the petfinder.com website along with the other adoptable animals. No one thought Phoebe (then named Jackie), would ever leave the shelter walls.
Now, I've always said that angels speak to people and pair them with the animal they need and that needs them. Some people hear those tiny voices, and sadly some people ignore them and close their hearts. They miss out on the wonderful love and devotion they could have had, leaving the animal's purpose unfulfilled and its existence to fate.
Poor little Jackie patiently waited for the day that someone would answer the whispering of the angels and find her.
Susan Green of Lexington, Kentucky heard them loud and clear. She was looking through the adoptable pets on the petfinder.com site when she came upon Jackie's picture. She fell in love with the gentle disfigured face that she saw. A few days later, Jackie became Phoebe, and Susan became Mommy.
Phoebe lived the life of Riley with Susan and her family. What amazed her new Mom the most was Phoebe's undying devotion and her willingness to follow her anywhere; even into the bathroom.
Phoebe enjoyed the best of care, and constant love and attention. She was pampered and even had her own plastic pool to cool herself from the summer sun.
The story of Phoebe's adoption spread through to rescuers and shelters all over. Through that tale, Phoebe and Susan have helped animals in similar situations, pushing home the morals of, "Never judge a book by its cover", "Beauty is only skin deep." And "Anything is Possible".
Little unwanted, un-pretty, Phoebe, who someone had dumped in the night, was a rescuer in her own right.
A few months ago, Phoebe's health began to fail. Her mobility became to lessened, her appetite faded, and she began to experience kidney trouble.
On Christmas Eve, Phoebe went into kidney failure. The decision to end her suffering was made, and the light that had burned so bright and touched so many hearts, faded from our sight and into God's.
Phoebe lived her natural life in a flawed body, but I know in my heart that the moment she trotted into Heaven, she was whole, perfect and ready to play.
That's a fitting end for Miss. Phoebe: running free and unblemished in the fields of the Lord.
Phoebe's legacy will inspire others. I wanted to share it with all of you. I have re- told it 1000 times, so we can chalk this one 1001.
This is for Phoebe and Susan, and for all the creatures out there those have that tiny flaw and are waiting for that one special person who will accept them, defects included, and see the true beauty they hold inside.
One day they will finally hear," I love you."
I don't know WHAT you are talking about! Phoebe looks BEAUTIFUL to me!!
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