This is her Before Condition...

Photo by : Bill Sterling

Thankfully ESRA found her!!!
She is truly a Diamond-in-the Rough. (Look at before and after pictures) She was in pitiful shape and had to undergo many vet appointments, various treatments, even had surgery resulting in numerous medical staples, her condition was deplorable... Yet, this seriously neglected and under weight Little Lady got through it with the help of a very good vet and the wonderful Foster Care provided by : Bill & Gay Sterling of San Jacinto, CA.

This picture was taken on my first visit to meet Lady. I am Mary Henthorn and I saw Lady on the internet. Despite her described medical condition, I had an irresistible urge to make contact and did just that! Got more information from her foster care providers and made arrangements to take a drive and go meet this Little Lady. Since it was a distance, I planned for an overnight stay at a local hotel... near her location and two days of visiting that weekend. As you can see, I am not a typical adopter... I have Multiple Sclerosis and though I can get around fairly well walking with a cane (I have my bad days, just like everyone else and at times have to rely on use of my electric wheelchair. As time goes on I may need it more & more). So, not only did Lady and I have to meet the usual compatibility terms... I had to know if Lady could adapt to my use of the chair or would it frighten her??? 

I had recently lost a 12 year old Springer to the Dog Food Contamination a few months ago. She "Baby" had been with me for years (well before the wheelchair was required and she had a solid bond with me and strong foundation for working with me to make the needed adjustment). She & I both, had special training and we became very capable when it came to the use of my new wheels able to go for walks daily, not power walks but enough to air us out a bit Ha! Ha!                               So, using the same techniques I had been taught to handle Baby from the chair, I gave Lady a go at it and she took to me, then my chair like a duck to water... as if she knew just what to do, & did it... WHAT A CHAMP!!! I was in love and by the second day of the visit she began to show signs of VELCRO, attaching to my foot and ankle even to nap against my foot under the table while I & the foster dad did the adoption paperwork. 

Since she still had numerous staples in her tummy & inner leg area from just having surgery, she remained with Bill & Gay to complete treatment. Once cleared by the vet we arranged to meet at a halfway point to complete the transfer (this picture was taken at the transfer).

Lady adjusted very quickly to her new FOREVER HOME with me. And since I have MS (pleas note: I have MS it does not have me!)... Yet, as a result I work from home as a computer programmer & software designer and also became an ESRA member and was thrilled to be assigned to take on these Happy Ending Story Pages. So, the just of it is I spend lots of time on my computer and as this picture shows... My Little Lady has found her comfy spot under the desk, using her very own pillow while I work and is the cutest shadow a person could ever hope to have. She is never very far away from me, at any time of the day or night and is sure to live out the remainder of her senior years being pampered and spoiled. I know that cannot erase her previous neglect or harsh treatment but it is a FACT that chapter of her life is without a doubt a thing of the past because her new forever home and adopted mom will cherish, protect, and provide for her from here on out!

Photo by : Mary Henthorn

Special Note: Thanks to everyone that took part in this process : 

• Bill & Gay Sterling- for the wonderful Foster Care they Provided,

• Karen- with the Phone Interview portion of the process,

• Nancy- with the Home Inspection part of the process, and last but not least...

• ESRA- just for being around and help the Adopters and Dogs Connect!!!

• Special Note to Gay Sterling (former Foster Mom): I know this little LADY was not easy for you to part with, but I assure you she has a good home with me and will have the best life has to offer from here on out... She is a single child and is thriving on all the attention and pampering. Her hip bones no longer stick out and my vet says it is not that she is gaining weight, but that our walks are causing her her build up much needed muscle in her hind quarters... in addition she is not showing any sings of arthritis pain the walks are really doing her some good. When I grab her leash, she rushes over and sits erect by the front door- ready to go Ha! Ha! I make sure to walk her her daily, whether walking with my cane or even on my bad days I take my wheelchair. She follows my lead wonderfully & she seems to enjoy it even knows our route by heart.     Gay, I understand it must be difficult to let such a loving dog go, but she is in good hands dear!!! 

Photos by : Mary Henthorn

Mary & The "Spoiled" Little Lady, of Victorville, CA