NEVER JUDGE A SHITZU BY ITS COVER!
L
et me introduce myself. My name is Chumlee (Chum for short). I am a rescue dog and here is the beginning of my story. I was found in the street after being hit by a car and taken to a local animal shelter and left there. My injuries were serious, as I was paralyzed from the shoulders down. Dirty and lifeless, I was placed in a box awaiting my death. The vet did not think they could save me and were certain that I would never walk again, so they were going to euthanize me. Imagine that, they were going to kill me just because I couldn’t walk! They were wrong because they didn’t know me! This is when a miracle occurred in my life. A woman named Joan who owns a local rescue happened to be in the vet’s office that day getting some vaccinations for her dogs. She saw me there laying in the box and asked the vet about me. That’s when he told her, “We are going to euthanize him because we don’t think we can save him.” They didn’t know Joan either because she immediately said, “You are not going to euthanize him because I’m taking him home.” This is when the next chapter of my life began, living in a house with 30 other dogs. Watching them run and play inspired me and I pulled myself along by my front legs. Crawling on my belly with my front legs propelling me along meant that I couldn’t keep up, but Hey! It was progress! After months of doing this, I miraculously pulled up my back legs and I WAS WALKING! Now, mind you, I wasn’t walking like the other dogs. My spine was so crooked that I looked like a very drunk Shitzu, wobbling through the house. 10
Las Vegas Pet Scene Magazine • September/October 2020
By Marvelle Lynch This is where the real miracle happened. My mamma Joan had to go on a trip and asked her friend to dog sit me. They not only sat with me, they adopted me! A new set of challenges faced me. They have a two-story house. I had never seen stairs, but not to be deterred, I learned to hop onto the step and pull myself up until I reached the top. Now, to get down. Simple – I extended my front and back legs out to the side and slid down the stairs, airplane style! Getting onto the couch required that I back up, judge my distance and fly through the air. I hit the couch numerous times until I finally made it! You see, what everyone saw in me was a paralyzed homeless dog. They didn’t know what I was inside – a determined, stubborn and courageous dog.
Now I can outrun the other dogs in our household, even the Jack Russell showoff! I am so proud of myself, but the message I would like to give to you is never judge a dog by its cover and everyone can overcome adversity, one step at a time.
