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For those of you who don't know, there was a little half blind hairless girl named Shyla that desperately needed a new home.
Minky posted about her in the adoption section and it was thanks to Nanashi that I found that post.
Shyla was a special case. In addition to being half blind she was also very unsocialized and feared humans. She needed someone who would work with her, give her a loving and patient home and show her love and kindness.
And even though she was in Tennessee, and I in Michigan, I stepped up and said I would take her.
I immediately posted on social media, looking for those who could train from TN to MI. I posted on six facebook groups and, disappointingly, got no hits or attention. But I'm lucky, because I have a few good friends in the rescue business.
So I contacted my friend Laura and asked if she knew anyone that could help train; and she did.
In about eight hours I had put together a train to get Shyla.
But then we got bad news. Shyla was very sick and the owner didn't think she would make it to morning. So I panicked and scrambled to get an emergency pull but I'm nocturnal and I forget sometimes that normal people are asleep at 2 am.
So instead I personally messaged the owner, gave my number and begged them to get ahold of me.
It worked, I got a text a little more than ten minutes later. I first asked her symptoms then told them what to do from there. I asked if they had any antibiotics, amoxi was the main one and they said they did. But a little later I got a reply saying they couldn't find it. After several frantic texts back and forth from myself, but didn't get us anywhere, the owner stopped responding; and my heart plummeted.
I finally got a reply at 5:56 this morning and I knew she had passed; I didn't need to read the message to know that.
I am so so sorry baby girl. You had a patient, loving home waiting for you. And when I was told you were sick I tried my hardest to get you pulled within the hour. I had medication, a wonderful vet and a large vet fund and i was willing to spend it all on you to get you better. I'm so sorry. I gave advice, instructions, directions... but in the end it didn't matter.
I was so looking forward to meeting you and teaching you love and that not all humans are bad. I wanted to work with you, show you loving human touch and eventually integrate you into my rattie family. I think you would have liked my Thistle, she's calm and sweet. I'm sure you would have grown to love Juniper and Violet and I'm sure you would have enjoyed playing with them. Mica would have loved you. She loves everything and you would have been no exception. And I know that you and Ruby would have been great friends. She would have taught you how to chew a hole in the bottom of a brand new bottle of water in two seconds flat, but only if it was laying on my bed, pillow or between my legs.
Run free over the bridge baby girl; there's a little brown berk named Lilly there and I know she'll take you under her wing. I'll meet you eventually Shyla, just play to your hearts content till I get there.
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Minky posted about her in the adoption section and it was thanks to Nanashi that I found that post.
Shyla was a special case. In addition to being half blind she was also very unsocialized and feared humans. She needed someone who would work with her, give her a loving and patient home and show her love and kindness.
And even though she was in Tennessee, and I in Michigan, I stepped up and said I would take her.
I immediately posted on social media, looking for those who could train from TN to MI. I posted on six facebook groups and, disappointingly, got no hits or attention. But I'm lucky, because I have a few good friends in the rescue business.
So I contacted my friend Laura and asked if she knew anyone that could help train; and she did.
In about eight hours I had put together a train to get Shyla.
But then we got bad news. Shyla was very sick and the owner didn't think she would make it to morning. So I panicked and scrambled to get an emergency pull but I'm nocturnal and I forget sometimes that normal people are asleep at 2 am.
So instead I personally messaged the owner, gave my number and begged them to get ahold of me.
It worked, I got a text a little more than ten minutes later. I first asked her symptoms then told them what to do from there. I asked if they had any antibiotics, amoxi was the main one and they said they did. But a little later I got a reply saying they couldn't find it. After several frantic texts back and forth from myself, but didn't get us anywhere, the owner stopped responding; and my heart plummeted.
I finally got a reply at 5:56 this morning and I knew she had passed; I didn't need to read the message to know that.
I am so so sorry baby girl. You had a patient, loving home waiting for you. And when I was told you were sick I tried my hardest to get you pulled within the hour. I had medication, a wonderful vet and a large vet fund and i was willing to spend it all on you to get you better. I'm so sorry. I gave advice, instructions, directions... but in the end it didn't matter.
I was so looking forward to meeting you and teaching you love and that not all humans are bad. I wanted to work with you, show you loving human touch and eventually integrate you into my rattie family. I think you would have liked my Thistle, she's calm and sweet. I'm sure you would have grown to love Juniper and Violet and I'm sure you would have enjoyed playing with them. Mica would have loved you. She loves everything and you would have been no exception. And I know that you and Ruby would have been great friends. She would have taught you how to chew a hole in the bottom of a brand new bottle of water in two seconds flat, but only if it was laying on my bed, pillow or between my legs.
Run free over the bridge baby girl; there's a little brown berk named Lilly there and I know she'll take you under her wing. I'll meet you eventually Shyla, just play to your hearts content till I get there.
