How Cute Am I Looking?

I am constantly stealing pictures off of Heike's facebook page. I just can't help it! Too cute! (I hope Heike doesn't believe in copyright...hee hee!)


Look at me, look at me!  I am filling out and looking great!

And I will jump on boys to give them kisses.  I am a girl, after all. :)

Why does Damie always put me in pink?  I thought Damie did not like pink.  She must secretly like pink.  I don't remember her ever asking me if I wanted to wear pink.  

Catching Up!

Tonight my sister and I went to foster mom Heike's house to catch up with Shelby Angel and write some thank you notes.  With the exception of her feet (please, please heal!) she is looking so great!  She is a beautiful girl, and she is still as sweet as ever.  

Here she is with my sister, Rebekah.  When Shelby Angel was still living at the vet for treatment, Rebekah used to go check on her during her lunch breaks from work and help take care of her feet.  Rebekah has been a big part in helping with Shelby Angel's recovery.  

And there really have been so many people that have helped in Shelby Angel's recovery.  This is just a glimpse of Rebekah, Heike, and myself taking some time to thank the people that have given Shelby Angel so much support.  We have so much thanks to give- we haven't even scratched the surface with the depth of our gratitude.  

We are thrilled, excited, and honored to have so many thank you letters to write! (Plus, the more thank you letters we have to write, the more excuses I can come up with to visit Shelby Angel!)

Remembering

I remember calling my friend Joy about a week after I first spotted Shelby Angel and asking her:  "Was that dog we saw on our bike ride really as badly hurt, abused, and starved as I remember her?  Maybe I am just over-exaggerating in my mind how bad she is."  Joy promptly responded that the dog WAS that hurt, abused, and starved- my memory was not altered.  

Funny, but again I turned to my husband tonight and said, "Maybe Shelby Angel wasn't really that bad of a case of abuse."  My husband gave me a weird look and said, "It was very, very bad, Damie.  It was horrible."  

I have had a lot of requests for pictures of her when I first found her.  I really wish the camera could have captured the whole story- her inability to walk as if all of her legs were broken, every bone that could be counted, the scars and injuries all over her body from the abuse, and her feet- partially gnawed off with bugs living in them.  I think these pictures really just scratch the surface of what we saw that day.   

I know most of my friends have seen these pictures already, but I will post a few again.   

There were so many scars around her neck and chest, including an ear that was ripped so deeply she could no longer hold it up.  

Even after 2 weeks of food, you could still see every bone.    

Her two back feet, with missing toes and toenails.  

When I finally decided to make the effort to find and help Shelby Angel, Dave was not the happiest husband on the block.  "She is not coming here."  

After I got Shelby Angel to the vet, I called my husband and asked him to meet me there.  His response was, "Damie, she is NOT coming home with us."  I told him I promised not to push a dog on him, but I needed him to be there for me.  When he got to the vet, he looked at Shelby Angel and gave her a pet, then our eyes met and he understood.  From the moment he saw her, he gave his unconditional support.     

I hope you enjoy Shelby Angel's blog.  We know that she still has obstacles to face, but we are encouraged by her recovery and kind spirit.  She continues to teach us to be more supportive and helpful to one another, and we learn so much from her every day.      

A note from Shelby's foster mom

My name is Heike, and I am Shelby’s foster mom. After Damie told me about rescuing Shelby, I could not stop thinking about Damie’s courage and persistence, and how much I would like to help her and the dog. I have been fostering dogs for a while now: Shelby is my tenth foster dog this year. I have rescued dogs by myself and fostered for two Memphis rescue organizations, Petmatchmaker and Good Dog Rescue. When I heard that Damie was looking for a foster home for Shelby, a quiet home for her to recover, I immediately made a commitment. Many people have given generous donations, and many more have sent heartfelt regards, toys, and treats. We are infinitely grateful for all the help Shelby has received! It makes all the difference.
Shelby has been with me for about a week now, and she is recovering nicely. She has gained some weight, and her toes are healing as well. My best friend Teisha, a nurse, has drawn up nutrition and wound care regimen that works really well: Shelby is on a high-protein diet of puppy chow and my special homemade beef stew. She loves peanut butter and carrots. I soak her toes in an Epsom salt solution twice a day, and spray her wounds with an antiseptic every few hours. The antibiotics appear to be working, and we are hoping that Shelby will not have to get her leg amputated. Her personality is really coming out now that she is feeling better. She is a calm dog, and is learning to be a family pet. I was surprised to see that she is completely housebroken. Shelby likes to nap in the sun, on the couch, on my lap, on her back. She snores, it’s too funny. She is a very silly dog and grins when you scratch her behind the ears. She is careful around people and other dogs at first, but warms up very quickly. Shelby is still a puppy although she has had puppies of her own. She bonds with people – Damie, Rebecca, Charlie and me. I am not sure I want to know what she has been through, but dogs have taught me not to obsess about the past and to live in the moment.
It’s a pleasure to have her here, and it is wonderful to see how many people are helping us care for this cutie. Isn’t it amazing how companion animals bring out the best in us? How we find our gentle and caring side in the midst of our busy lives? How there’s always time for a belly rub or a spoonful of peanut butter? Life is good.

Welcome!

Welcome to Shelby Angel's Blog!

Shelby Angel is a pit bull mix that was rescued from a sure death from starvation and injury on August 22, 2009.  In a short period of time, she has touched the lives of many Memphis residents and made new friends all over the country.  

We hope to not only tell her story on this blog, but also to encourage others to go above and beyond in their everyday life by helping an animal in need.  Thank you for stopping by!