Zuleia

People who think that old dogs aren’t adaptable haven’t met Zuleia.

This little sweetheart was found wandering the streets of a big city, ended up at a shelter, was then moved to a temporary foster home, and then after a month was brought to us via three different transporters. (Thank you to Dianne Marlow for arranging this complicated transport and to the freedom drivers who brought our girl to us.) When we brought her home Zuleia ran in the house like she’d always been here, and settled in immediately. She loves to ride in the truck (although she insists that she should drive), learned how to use the dog door in one lesson, and enjoys sleeping under the covers on the big bed, and sitting on top of the big chair in the living room surveying her domain. She interacts well with our other three dogs and joins them as they protect the yard from deer and other wildlife. Zuleia is very affectionate, loves to snuggle, and she smiles and wags her tail all the time.

As with all ODH dogs, Zuleia comes with baggage: her teeth are awful, (dental already scheduled), she has a grade 3/4 heart murmur, and she may not have been spayed (waiting on blood test results that will answer that question.)

We’re very happy to have this joyful little spirit with us, and are grateful to ODH for taking care of her medical issues and placing her with us.

Update:

For the past four + years Zuleia was the poster girl for cheerful optimism and determination. She powered through increasing physical issues and kept insisting that she was “fine.” She didn’t want to leave and we didn’t want her to go, but her body told us it was time to end the struggle and send her off on her next adventure.

This very special dog loved her home and family, and the light she brought to us was always bright and steady. When people came to visit Zuleia found the lap of the person who needed her to be there the most. When her BFF Molly wanted to play, Zuleia was right there offering to share her favorite stuffed toy. She listened, she talked, and she knew how to love.

Our hearts are bigger because Zuleia shared hers with us and we will always love her and keep her spirit with us. We’ve told her that if she ever comes back in a body again to please find us and we’ll write the next chapter of our lives together.

The lessons taught by Zuleia are important:

• You are not defined by your body’s imperfections.
• Smiling and wagging your tail (if you have one) is better than frowning and not doing anything.
• Look for the joy in life and it will find you. And … it will even find you if you’re not looking but you have your heart open.
• Friends and family are good things.

Thanks to Old Dog Haven for helping us keep Zuleia comfortable for as long as possible.