A lot of you asked about my puppy (15 year old puppy) so I thought I would do a little blog post dedicated to her.
My dad found Sushi (my dog) on Camp Courtney Military Base on Okinawa, Japan at a local shelter. He was stationed there for a bit. There are a lot of strays overseas and our family personally gets all our pets from the shelters. When my dad saw Sushi and saw she only had ONE day left to be adopted before they had to put her down (overcrowding), he knew she was coming home to my house.
She lived a fantastic life at my house. The animal shelter knew that she was abused as a puppy. She had a few scratches on her nose when they found her and her demonear was anything but dosile. Therefore, she was never a dog that the neighbors saw. She mostly slept in our house and was very affectante towards my family though. She would sit with me as I attempted homework and such.
In March 2006, the unthinkable happened though. She was hit by a car. Since is very people cautious no one could help her and no one wanted too. She was missing for 3 days. I don’t think I’ve ever cried so much in my life. My youngest brother Steven and I literally spent 6 hours wondering around my area looking for her.
We eventually found out she had been transported to a vet hospital and was “on her last life line”. When we visited she looked terrible. The vets said she wouldn’t make it.
Slowly but surely she got better though. She was never able to walk very quickly or go on long walks again but 2 and a half weeks in the hospital and she was allowed to come home. She lived the rest of her live very mellow and relaxed at my house. She never bothered anyone-but no one outside the family really ever saw her either.
As you can see, I was extremely close to her so this news although not shocking, was very hard for me to bare.
Question for you: Tell me about your pets.
I was so sad to hear about your dog and I hope you’re doing ok! I love my dog to pieces. He’s named after Buddy the Elf (from the movie Elf) and I I can totally understand why you’re so upset about losing her! Sounds like Sushi had a great life though with you and I hope she was fed a diet of pancakes too 😉 BIG HUG Hollie!!
Oh hun I’m so sorry to hear about Sushi! 🙁 I love that you took him in though even though he wasnt a “typical” style outgoing dog.
You know all about fritz. Dont get me started. lol
Thinking of you!
I love that this is my first visit to your site. It’s obvious you have a love for animals and I LOVE dogs of all kinds! I am so sorry for your loss and I am just so thankful that she got those extra years with you 🙂 xoxo
I have a mutt we got from the rescue shelter – Rex and I love him to bits!
I’m sorry about the loss of Sushi. She looks like she would have been an awesome friend, and very strong for having pulled through from a car accident!!
My cat has a similar story… he was found wandering around in a park at 6 months old, and we think he had been abused at his former home too. We adopted him from the cat shelter. He’s absolutely a ‘fraidy cat. He runs and hides under the bed when anyone visits, when the doorbell rings, or when anybody wears black pants. But I love him to bits. He’s now about 15 years old himself… and super mellow.
Well, I hope you’re doing OK! We’re here for you, and I’m sure she’s happy up in doggy heaven, if you believe in it… I do! 🙂
I’m so sorry about Sushi 🙁 he joined my dog, Russell, in puppy heaven. They are probably best friends. I really hope you are all starting to feel better about it – a loss is a loss, no matter what species!
I have a dog named puck. He thinks he is a human and was trained to be a service dog, but he flunked out of service dog school so my brother, who has special needs, was allowed to adopt him. He never barks and is the happiest, sweetest, most energetic dog I have ever met!
Thank you for sharing this! Sushi sounds like an incredible pet. She went through so much and still had an amazing life! All thanks to you!
This was so sad to read :(. I actually read today at work but am just getting time to comment. It sounds like Sushi had an amazing life with you guys. It’s pretty amazing that she came all the way from Japan and got hit by a car and lived even when the vets said she wouldn’t. Sounds like you have some great memories of her to cherish forever.
I don’t have any pets (we live in an apartment, so really not a good idea right now), but they are definitely family members, and they stand by you and are always there for you, which is more than I can say for family members sometimes!
I am so sorry about your dog. It must have been so shocking for you to hear about her right before your race.
I lost two dogs when I was young and that was very sad. But I have a dog who is very healthy now and just the fact that he hasnt gotten seriously sick for 8 years makes me happy. (knock on wood!)
I am sure Sushi is in a happy place. Hope you are doing okay!
Awwww.what a sweet puppy. I’m a shelter dog person, too. I had a pit bull/boxer mix that we had to adopt by default (with my ex). Same thing—not good with other dogs or strangers (which was kind of nice, since we lived in a rough neighborhood), but the sweetest thing ever. You gave Sushi a great life. It hurts so much, though. My childhood dog died the week before I came home for Thanksgiving when I was in a grad school. I wish I’d had a chance to hug her one more time. Hugs to you, sweetie!
I’m so sorry to hear about your dog… this is such a sweet post. I’ve never had a pet myself, but I can only imagine your loss.
I am so SO sad to read this – I just read your both about the race and it broke my heart. There is nothing in the world quite like it, and only dog lovers understand how much it hurts. Hugs to you, friend, I’m thinking of you.
So sorry girl. 🙁
I have one cat who is has her good and bad days. She was very sick this summer, but is doing better now. Pets are so special…
Girl you know I know what you’re going through! My family hasn’t adopted from a shelter ever but I could definitely see myself doing it after I have a place of my own (that allows pets). I love that you guys adopt though – there are so many awesome animals out there in a need of a home. I’m glad Sushi was able to find a loving home with your family and live out a long life at your home. ((HUGS))