by amy
Sleep softly, sweet Trinka, for your battle is over. Trinka was a BIG, red/tan, 4yr. old, natural eared female Doberman who came to me in rescue in Nov. 2003. First was the new "start" - out with the old, in with the new. "Cocoa" had to go as the name - she was moving on - "Trinka" seemed to fit. Our first week together was "difficult" to say the least. She couldn't believe that someone wanted to treat her like a PET. See, Trinka was a "owner turn in". She HAD a home. Well, if you call a 10X15 fenced area home. But she had shelter from the cold, heat, rain, or blistering sun...... Well, if you can a 300 dog crate (2 sizes too small for this girl) shelter. She was fed......Well, she got food, even if it DID take 3 days in rescue before I could convience her to eat from a BOWL - see she only knew to eat from the dirty ground. But she had a HOME and they had given her all the "important" things. Or did they? Seems they forgot one little important thing - heartworm prevent.
Trinka came to us heartworm positive and we knew from the start she would have to face heartworm treatment. Only I had never met a stronger, more healthy looking, more full of life, more determined girl. I never doubted this girl would be "just fine". We battled through the first week - introduced her to a kennel, learned to eat from a bowl, discovered FURNITURE and how wonderfully comfortable it was to lay on..... But the eyes - they were so full of mistrust. No one was going to push this girl. I watched closes for a move, a warning.... And then came "spay day". As they walked her away from me, down the hall, she stopped and looked over her shoulder. And there, right before my eyes I watched her eyes change. Was that TRUST?? Could it be?? The next day when I returned to pick her up I was greeted by a nub wag that lifted the back legs from the ground. I never again greeted Trinka when she had four legs on the ground. The transformation was a beautiful sight. That was the last time Trinka ever thought of where she had come from - she had arrived and the path behind her held little importance any more. Such strenght and beauty. The thickest, shinny red coat. The "more than a Doberman should have" ears that flapped when she ran. Her adoration for the children. Her "spin out and sit" routine for attention. Oh my - what a special girl! What were these people thinking - to not want HER??? She stayed with me for 2 months before leaving to go to another foster home. I hated to see her move on, but she would be back in a couple of weeks - after heartworm treatment. Then we could REALLY throw a party. The "before life" would truly be shed. She walked into Kim's and stole her heart as quickly and accurately has she had stolen the hearts at this house. Because of her size, she earned the nick name "Bertha Big Butt" - as it was always slinging side to side and taking out anything in his path (never did get over the CONCEPT that she was 10 pounds instead of an impressive 80 - large for a female). When you earn a nick name from Kim - she's hooked! We talked daily and every day something Trinka had done came up. Her zest for life, her positive attitude, her "change"..... And finally the discussion of her "treatment". Wow! Did she ever handle THAT. Easy stuff. Amazed at how well she handled it, yet not amazed at her strenght - Trinka is one week out, two weeks out, three weeks out, four weeks out.......Final step of the process - She is now heartworm treatment complete. The site is changed to reflect the change from "available soon" to "available dogs".......and then.......... She crashed! No! That can't happen - you've made it, you'll get your own home, you'll have your own last name...... But no, now we are in the hospital - plasma transfussions, ICU, fluids......but the girl was a fighter. She wasn't given up. Not Trinka. "As long as you can fight, my girl, we'll hold on." And just when we thought we had made it - the phone call. They took you. The heartworms robbed the world of the most wonderful spirit. That awesome, big heart......how dare they think they could do this??? How dare they???
$1,000 to try to save an "owner turn in". And worth every penny. I only wish pennies could have saved you. I only wish something would have worked - Rescue invested more love and money into this girl than it would have EVER cost the original owners to prevent her death. THEY killed her - only they loaned her to me first. It was only 3 months that she touched my life, but I will never forget her - despite the fact I have no doubt THEY have already forgotten. While I hurt so deeply that I wonder if I'll ever find an end to my tears - I feel so lucky to have touched her life and had her touch mine. Trinka passed away quietly as she was receiving another transfussion in a final grasp to win. As she left she had to know we fought to the end for her. It was our gift as a thank you for all she had given us in our short time with her.
My sweet, wonderful Trinka - I will miss you so. I wish so much I had found you that home of your own, but I hope that you know you will always have a home in my heart. I believe that as long as rescuers like me exist no pet leaves this world unloved or cared for. I may not know their names, but we mourn for them all. Trinka - I mourn you esp. as I knew you and loved you personally. I'm sure there are some wonderful sofas at the Bridge - save a spot on your right for me and one on your left for Kim. We will surround you with our love always.........Sleep softly, sweet Trinka GCDR (your very own last name).