My Bella has Lymphoma

It's so amazing how quickly things can change. I wrote about my dog, Bella, dying from Lymphoma, but since she has passed on to the Rainbow Bridge, we adopted our Sammy Blu' after he was rescued from a fight ring. My passion for the underdog has always been very strong, but as I have grown older and seen the world for the ugliness it contains, I became involved with Pit Bull rescue. These dogs are the most maligned and misunderstood breed of dog today. Animals speak volumes, but we must listen very carefully to them. Bella left me at a time I didn't think I could bare it. During that same time, Sammy was rescued from a horrible situation in Othello Washington. Lots of illegal dog fighting and abuse runs ramped there. This situation was dire and we knew we needed to adopt him as quickly as we could. "Sam" had been used as a breeder, but once he was "all used up'' he became a bait dog. This practice is horrific and most dogs don't survive. We don't know why Sammy lived through it. He was dumped in an orchard for weeks at a time. He had no food or water or shelter unless he hunted or it rained. He ate snow as he lived there for most of last winter. Once he was found it was almost too late. This little boy had, what seemed to be, every bone protruding from his little body. He was too weak to walk. His left leg had been broken and healed badly, so now he has a permanent limp that can cause him extreme pain. He had no pigmentation and we thought he was white. Now he's emerging into a beautiful tan and white musclebound Pittie.

I am amazed that our Beautiful Sammy was not put down. The vet who attended him right after his rescue didn't think he had a chance to get adopted, but thought he might survive. The rescue group didn't want to give up on him. Sammy had a light in his eyes. He was so gentle and kind. Upon rescue, he licked the hands of the rescuers and wagged his weak little tail. There was no way they had the heart to just be rid of him.

Sammy got taken to a foster home where he gained enough weight to be able to be adopted out, but no one thought he would stand a chance. He shared this home with 14 other dogs and had very little personal care, but at least he was sheltered and had food. Being full of scars, no coloring in his fur, he was just one more very 'ugly' looking little pit bull. When I saw his picture, however, I thought he was beautiful! We adopted Sammy at first sight. This little timid Pit Bull is now a 70 pound head-butting brute with so much strength and energy and we are constantly laughing at his antics. Sammy's teeth are worn down to a nub, broken off and rotting, but at least some of the back teeth are okay. He will need quite a few of what is left of them removed. But this little boy is now our Big Boy. Bella's life ended. One week later Sammy came into our life. I miss Bella terribly, but now I understand why she had to leave me. She died peacefully after a very loving and happy life. Now it's his turn to be happy, loved, and safe.