This story was shared within the framework of the Fur Fam Storytelling Contest. You can submit your own story through December 5. Voting will take place from December 6 to December 31. The three grand prize winners will receive a $500 prize, plus $2000 cash and supplies for their favorite shelter. Share your story here!
When Ruthie was born, everyone knew she was special. Her wonderful breeder Lisa looked at her and realized that she was born with a cleft lip. She contacted The Devoted Barn to see if we could take care of her, and she went to the Barn.
I work with newborn dogs that need tube feedings. I have a son who was born at 24 weeks and because I was ready to learn tube feeding, he was able to return home from the NICU early. Using those skills over the years, I have puppies born with cleft lip, cleft palate, or other medical conditions that prevent them from receiving proper nourishment.
When Ruthie was 6 days old, she came to me and we quickly fell in love. It’s easy to fall in love with newborn puppies, but she is something special. At this time, we also have a mother-in-law living with us. Mom is 94 years old and loves dogs very much. She spent many happy hours hugging Ruthie. Every day, she would say how much she loved Ruthie and how special she was. Ruthie will always rest in her arms. These two special souls nourished each other, one at the beginning and the other at the end. It’s wondrous.
The Ruthie is a Berger Picard, a breed I had never heard of. This species is very rare in North America and each one is precious. The Berger Picard community continues to support Ruthie, even setting up a special Facebook page for her and raising money to help take care of her. We felt like we had a whole new family as they provided love, advice and support. When Ruthie was an adult, she was reunited with both her parents when their owners brought them to visit. Other people with same-age mates or siblings from another litter have watched its development.
Ruthie turns 1 year old in January. She has vision and nerve problems along with cleft lip and palate, but for us she is absolutely perfect. Ruthie wears diapers in the house, and she’s a little squishy because her left eye doesn’t have vision. You will never meet a happier dog. She LOVES playing and running and always has the happiest smile on her face and eyes ever. She has lots of doggy friends and other fluffy sisters in our house. She’s goofy and loves who she is with all she is.
She is a great “big sister” to the puppies continuing to care for and help care for them until they come home permanently. She also has an amazing amount of compassion. A few months ago, I had two newborn chihuahuas, one born with a cleft lip and one that didn’t grow. One had passed away, and Ruthie was very close while I took care of the second.
Sarah (the puppy) passed away around 3:30 am. When I woke up to feed her at 3 a.m., I knew she wouldn’t. I sat and surrounded her with love until she took her last breath. I then took her back to the incubator for burial later that day along with her brother who had passed away a few hours earlier. No matter how many times this happens, a part of me feels like I’ve failed the puppy, even though intellectually I know we’ve done all we can.
Around 4 a.m., Ruthie crawled over to me and rested her head on my shoulder. Not long after, she started licking my ears, which she had never done before. Then she stayed there and went back to sleep, her head on my shoulder and her big paws on my chest, hugging me. I also fell asleep, knowing that with her I did not fail. She is comforting me in her own way.
Another night, I woke up and my husband and I were fast asleep in our arms. Ruthie slipped her feet under our arms, so the three of us fell asleep together. I grabbed my phone and snapped a picture before she woke up. She is amazing. There is something very special about her.
Ruthie will continue to act as a spokesperson for animals with birth defects, showing that they can have a wonderful life. She appears on the Devoted Barn Facebook page and attends public events that show the difference is beautiful. Devoted Barn is hosting a show for special needs dogs in 2022. Ruthie will help promote it and of course showcase her distinctive style and skills.
She’s not perfect at all and we wouldn’t have it any other way. She is one of a kind.
This story was submitted by Rhonda Gelstein, in support of The Devoted Barn. To share your own submission for the Fur Fam Story Contest, click here!
