Pet Lover

Sully

A journey of healing through adoption

by SAMANTHA ST.CLAIR

PEKINGESE ARE BRED TO BE LAP DOGS.

SOMETIMES THE HARDEST challenges we face lead us to the greatest gifts in life. On July 19, 2016, Crystal Kreider’s life changed forever. Her senior rescue dog, Maizy, lost her life defending their home when an intruder broke inside while Crystal was at work. Devastated, Crystal suffered from depression and PTSD following the tragic incident.

“The guilt I carried from not being at home to protect her made me vow never to get another dog again,” Crystal said. “It was a pain I had never felt before.” Although Crystal’s friends and family tried to convince her the tragedy was not her fault, Crystal wasn’t ready to share her life with another pet until she saw a Pekingese show up on a rescue’s page. A puppy mill survivor, the small dog required a change himself, and they found each other.

“I had a Pekingese growing up, and I had actually applied to adopt one before Maizy had passed. When I saw him, I knew I still had it in me to have an animal. I needed him, and he needed me.” The little dog’s name was Jake, but Crystal renamed him Sully after her favorite hockey team’s coach. It was apparent right away that Sully also had some healing to do. He lived in a rabbit hutch at a puppy mill for five years and didn’t know how to live in the outside world. “He was terrified of grass. He had double ear infections and was missing teeth when I got him. He still doesn’t know how to play with toys,” Crystal explained. But it didn’t take long for Sully to realize Crystal was his person, and the two quickly became what each other needed.

“I truly believe he saved my life,” Crystal said. “He survived something major, and he helped me survive.” Sully helped Crystal regain happiness with his silly antics and larger than life personality. “He is so loving. Rescue dogs usually are.” Sully sleeps in Crystal’s bed with his head on her neck, follows her around the house, and enjoys watching hockey games with her on the couch. If she gets up to go the short distance to their kitchen, Sully is immediately by her side. “He is glued to

me and enjoys doing everything with me. He brings me so much joy and unconditional love. If I am feeling bad, he knows it, and he will cheer me up.”

While Crystal will always remember her sweet Maizy, Sully helped her heal and find the happiness that Maizy would have wanted for her. “He ended up right where he belongs,” Crystal said. “He saved my life, and I repay him by spoiling him. We’ve been through a lot, but we are good now.”

The Amazing Po

A STRAY CAT WHO PROVES LIFE IS WHAT YOU MAKE IT

by SAMANTHA ST.CLAIR PHOTOS by SAMANTHA ST.CLAIR

Dr. Brenda Fijalkowski, a veterinarian at the Pet Pantry of Lancaster County, has seen an extensive number of animals in need of help over the years. A University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine graduate, Dr. Brenda took an interest in providing rescue animals with the care they need to become healthy and find forever homes. While the majority of those she assists find homes, she found that Po, a kitten with special needs, was one she couldn't let go.

AROUND 1.6 MILLION CATS ARE ADOPTED EACH YEAR.

Despite the challenges, Dr. Brenda and Po have a special bond, and she wouldn't change anything.

MEET PO “In May of 2018, two kittens came into the Pet Pantry with mobility issues in the same week,” Dr. Brenda explained. The first was a kitten with swimmer syndrome, which is a congenital condition that causes an inability to utilize their back legs. “Then, Po came in. He was a stray that someone found in their backyard.” Unable to use his back legs, Po needed to be removed from the streets to save his life. “They brought him to the Pet Pantry, and I gave him an examination. I could feel he had something very wrong with his back.” She discovered Po has a displaced vertebra where his chest meets his lower back.

“I placed him with the swimmer kitty so they could rehabilitate each other. The swimmer kitty came along very well with therapy. He gained leg strength and was able to be placed in a home,” Dr. Brenda said. Po, however, was still struggling and remained at the Pet Pantry for a while longer. “By that time, I was smitten with him. I worked with him until December 2018 before deciding to adopt him. He wasn't one we could place up for adoption, and I liked him so much. Something about his eyes spoke to me. His spirit is incredible, too.” Being a veterinarian, Dr. Brenda can give Po the care he needs. Due to his condition, he needs his bladder and bowels expressed regularly and also needs assistance with some movements, such as going upstairs.

Po doesn’t allow his disability to stop him from having fun, though. “His legs don’t work, and he doesn’t care. He makes the best out of his situation, and I love that about him.” Po can climb on furniture, go downstairs, walk on a harness outdoors, and play with toys. He also has a best friend, one of Dr. Brenda’s other cats, who wrestles with him. While Dr. Brenda provided him with a wheelchair, Po is more fond of being all-natural and chases his toys without it. “We don’t know if he was injured or if he was born with his condition, but either way, he doesn't try to use his back legs and gets around very well.”

CARING FOR A PET WITH SPECIAL NEEDS Po is not the first cat with special needs that Dr. Brenda adopted. “I have had a soft spot for cats with special needs since childhood,” she said. “I’m not quite sure what draws me to them. I grew up on a farm without neighbors to play with, so I spent a lot of time with animals, and I just grew to love and understand all of them. Those with special needs don't let their disabilities slow them down, and no matter the length of time I can provide them happiness, I am always glad I can give them joy in their life.”

Dr. Brenda owned a cat with hydrocephalus before Po. “We didn’t think he would survive long. He was four weeks old when we got him. He wasn’t in pain, so we did what we could to give him a good life for the two years he was with us.” She also housed a cat with radial aplasia, a condition where he was born without the larger forearm bone, and a cat with three legs. “I told myself I was taking a break from animals with special needs, but Po came along. I seem to be drawn to cats needing special care.”

While there are many joys in owning a pet with special needs, there are also hardships that vary with the degree of the animal’s condition. “It is not easy. My schedule revolves around Po. For a couple of hours, he is fine. However, if I will be away for a longer time, he either has to come with me, or someone has to watch him,” Dr. Brenda explained. Due to Po’s consistent care needs, he goes to work with her so she can tend to him throughout the day. “In some cases, such as with my cat with hydrocephalus, caring for animals with special needs can be heartbreaking. Depending on the condition, it certainly isn’t for everyone."

Despite the challenges, Dr. Brenda and Po have a special bond, and she wouldn’t change anything. “I just love him so much. I want to squeeze him. He’s such a cuddle bug. He has an indomitable spirit and has no idea he is different”