How I loved you. I wrote this poem for My Little Man who touched my heart like no other from the moment I set eyes on him. (He had been severely neglected if not abused on top of all his health issues some of which were congential). I was grieving at the time for my dad who had recently passed away. I was a caregiver with an awful big void. Ziggy came to me as fate would have it. I had the time and means to help him physically and mentally while he helped to fill the hole in my heart. Ziggy opened my world up to issues I had no idea I felt so strongly about. I became so aware of puppy millers and bybers (backyard breeders). The wide range of animal rescues and so many important animal welfare issues. He also brought me in touch with Judy Stone(who we have never met, although I feel I know her so well) and Lyn MacDonald, who have become very special friends to me.
I fell in love at first sight
With a little dog named Ziggy
He was in the Nanaimo SPCA
Having just arrived that day
Oh he was quite a sight
Flea infested
No hair on his body
Skin pink and inflamed
Poor muscles had atrophy
Nails too long for his feet
He had the cutest little ears
They looked like an ewoks
About to take flight
Those ears were not nice to him
They didn’t hear too well
All sore, smelly and infected
They hurt him incredibly
I just had to have him
But wait there is a waiting list
I called everyday for a week
So excited I was to be chosen
Brought my little bundle home
That was the beginning
Off to my vets we go
And go, and go, and go.
Finally had to make a hard decision
To have surgery done on his ears
I knew I had no choice
Needed to stop the pain
Put all my faith and trust
In Van Isle Vets
Bruce, Chris and all the staff
Are truly the Best
My little Ziggy has pulled through
No more pain
Now only good days lay ahead
To be cuddled and loved
And play with his stuffies
And chase that darn ball and give it a good shake
It’s amazing but true
What a little love and care can do
My little Zigs is happy
Has learned to trust and play
No longer looking like an ewok
But a gentle little lamb
He makes me smile
And feel good inside
I fell in love at first sight
No more pain
By Char Dec. 6/05
For my little Ziggy who I adopted Oct. 23/04 (Approx. 3 1/2yrs old)
Rest in Peace Little Man-I loved you so much Feb. 15, 2011
My heart is very raw and I doubt I'll fill the hole that has been left. I tried so hard to give Ziggy a normal life. We could never totally overcome the skin issues but generally he was pretty content. He never knew his size. At 7 pds he could be so fiesty and so bossy. I'm sure he was meant to be a large breed. He always turned to me for comfort when he wasn't feeling well or he was scared. He loved to cuddle up with his head on your right shoulder and would become so small as he curled into my neck at night.
I never would have imagined in a million years that what would destroy him would be dementia. This was one battle I couldn't help him win. With dementia came demons that appeared in the night. One could never tell he was deaf but his actions/reactions to vibration and touch told a different story. He became so fearful and at times distant, looking like a lost soul in the past 4 months. At times I couldn't comfort him or get too near. It was so hard to watch and I felt helpless to do anything to let him know I was still here for him. He had some good times and moments in between but they were becoming less and less and dark was the enemy. My last words to him were - I love you so much, you will be free from the demons, and god how I'm so sorry. I had to set you free. I love you little man. Now you can find that warmth in a nice shady spot that you so loved with no need of sweaters to keep you warm.
Ziggy never asked to be born for profit, with conditions that medicine, conventional or natural could touch. I always felt he deserved to have the best life possible.
Char