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Story by
art4milkbones
Published on May 4, 2008 in This Handmade Life |
Photo by art4milkbones |
Mulligan is my 3 legged golden retriever rescue puppy. She was born the runt of the litter, with a deformed front leg. Her birth mom rejected her, and her breeder didn’t think she'd live or have much of a life so he brought her to the animal hospital to be put down at two days old.
Lucky for Mulligan (and for me) the girls at the hospital and one very kind veterinarian thought the puppy deserved a chance to live and offered to take her in to see if they could nurse her back to health.
Mulligan struggled at first as she was half the size of her littermates. But over time she became stronger and stronger. She was fostered by her veterinarian at night and she spent her days at the clinic socializing and playing with all the pups and people there.
At 9 weeks old she was strong enough to handle the surgery of having her front right leg amputated. The next day she was hopping around chasing the big dogs. Two weeks later she was ready to come home.
I adopted her sight unseen. My sister was one of the girls at the Animal Hospital who saved her. She emailed me that day, "We have a tiny little golden puppy, I don’t know if she'll make it though"... I followed her story; I had just gone through a divorce and lost a dog. I knew what it felt like to be thrown away. My other dog Morgan was missing her pal. We needed Mully as much as she needed us.
We were in two different states, but that didn’t stop us. Mulligan flew from Buffalo, NY to Nashville, TN by herself. The airline treated her like royalty — last one on, first one off. I was told the pilot announced over the loud speaker that they were flying with a very special passenger. He told a little about her rescue story and surgery and all the passengers clapped for her!
I named her Mulligan, it means second chance.
Mulligan is now 4 years old, a happy healthy little golden retriever, full of life, ball crazy with a heart of gold. Mulligan taught me about unconditional love and being proud of who you are no matter what your flaws may be. Sometimes I wonder who rescued who.
My Etsy shop (art4milkbones) is dog themed, I add photos of my dogs to my Etsy listings when I have an extra spot or it's golden related. I get so many sweet comments about Mully & Morgan from my customers or sometimes strangers just convo me and say "Mully makes me smile!" or they want to tell me about their dog. I have met some wonderful dog people through Etsy.
If you're thinking about adding a canine companion to your family please consider adopting a handicapped or special needs pet. All dogs deserve a great home.
... and sometimes it's the things that aren't perfect.. that turn out to be the most perfect of all!
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| Tags | amputation, animal rescue, animals, dogs, Etsy Pets |
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48 comments Login to add your own!
walkinthewoodsllc
Thank you for sharing Mully's story.
Only moments before I read this, I had found my Eulogy to Karma, my black lab that moved on from this life a little more than a year ago, after ten years of Perfect Love. I miss him.
I already know that, when I am ready, my next canine companion will be a rescue - of some kind or another. :) Thanks again for sharing.
daniellexo
Agh you are just killing me here! I love Mully :)
We rescued our little monster as well - you have a big heart art4milkbones!
redhatlady
I too am a dog / pet / animal / person. Great message presented in a very nice way! Love to your 3-legged pal.
IWillFly
etcetrix
Love to you and sweet Mulligan the darling "tripod" pup! Thanks so much for sharing your story. May you continue to bring each other joy for a long long time to come. Our own rescues, canine and feline, surround us and enhance our lives each day more than I can say. xoxo
relishdress
This brought tears to my eyes as a fellow golden retriever mommy!
What a great story! :) How wonderful you were able to give Mulligan the chance she deserves!
fluffnflowers
What a beautiful girl and equally beautiful story! These 'special' rescues are always the most dear.
EcoLogicallyWorn
Heartfelt story! Hugs to YOU!!!
We have a rescue dog, he's a retriever, but terribly gun shy(may be, why he was cast aside). Our cat, his best friend is from a no/kill shelter also. I'm sending the address to where she came from, she's the cat in the bathroom window.
RescueMeTugz
You are absolutely awesome and I love you! I just read Mulligan's story and all I can say is WOW! Kudo's to you :o)
I am a Great Dane rescue volunteer and I have 2 Great Danes that no one wanted and I see this over and over in rescue.
Your story made me cry...in a good way :o) Thank you for sharing!
Michele
EarthBabyDesigns
Okay, I don't cry, but that story made me cry. *sniff* Thanks for giving Mully a good home. Everyone needs a second chance.
TwinDreamCreations
What a heartfelt story. I also have a golden and just love, love, love her to bits. Thanks for sharing Mulligan's story.
vivametal
A wonderful story and SUCH A CUTIE! I had a golden when I was 9 to 19 and will always have a golden-shaped hole in my heart. Big hugs to Miss Mulligan! <3
LoveLeeSoaps
BlackMtnFurniture
annejulie
Your story made me cry! Oh cute is your little sweetie. You are the kind of person that will save the world, I tell you!
BellaMental
How wonderful! These stories always make me cry! Being a volunteer at an animal shelter, I really appreciate people who can open their hearts and homes to less fortunate animals. THANK YOU!!!!
BentleysBones
Hugs to You and Mulligan! Thank you for sharing your story. I adopted both of my two labs and wouldn't do it any other way. There are so many loving animals that need homes out there in shelters.
Please If you are thinking about getting a new pet, look to your local shelters and rescue groups and save a life!
FelineFido
This is actually my first comment on Etsy, but I felt compelled to thank you for what you have done for Mulligan. Animals have this overwhelming ability to make us need them as much as they need us! I'm so glad you found one antoher.
Your story really touched me, as I have a handicapped kitten who will be 1 year old this summer. I hand raised her and her 4 siblings after their young mother abandoned them in my backyard at barely 1 week old. They were dehydrated, starving and sick. I spent almost every day at the vet for the first 4 weeks. Luckily, we were able to save them all and each one went to wonderful homes. We did keep one, she was slow to develope mentally & physically and she has a deformed front leg. She can't climb well and is not able to jump up or down, but took a giant leap into our hearts. Even our rescued Rottie mix loves her unconditionally. They are best of friends.
Thank you so much this story and for everything you do to encourage the adoption of special needs animals.
(apologies for this lengthy post)
katinkapinka
it warms my heart to know that there are compassionate people out there with enough love in their heart to open their home to a special-needs animal...very sweet story.
:)
michelemaule
This is the sweetest story. Thank you so much for sharing it. It made me cry...but in a good way... :)
art4milkbones
Thank You everyone for the wonderful & sweet comments about Mully!
I had no idea how much her story would touch so many people, I've gotten a bunch of nice convos as well.
Mully says WOOF!
paperpeddler
hansigurumi
Thanks for sharing your beautiful story. How wonderful of you to open your home and heart to sweet Mulligan!
I, like others who have read it, am weepy. When we are ready to adopt a furry friend, we'll definitely do what we can to adopt one with special needs, who might not have a chance otherwise.
You are so inspiring!
:)
Valhi
dreameyce
That story is so beautiful. That part about the pilot announcing her trip and story, then people clapping for me made me tear up. How wonderful!
Poisonerie
This story is absolute wonderful, and you are a great person. My cat Mina was crying alone in the street a few years ago, I could not resist to adopt such a cute and helpless animal and I'm not regretful for it. Sometimes Mina gives me more love and fantastic moments than even some people close to me.
Your words are really useful and I hope will encourage people to take care of handicapped animals, they deserve as you certainly say a second chance.
Hugs to your nice Mully and you!
anniessweatshop
mishkat
midnightrabbits
thevillagegiraffe
blomma
The best story I have heard in a long time. I'm so happy that you and Mully found each other. Here's to many many more happy years with Mully!!! Thank you for sharing her story.
dragonhouseofyuen
What a heartfelt teary story. You are so lucky to have a caring sister - who knew the right home for puppy Mulligan straight away!
So glad they gave Mulligan a chance at life. I can't say the same for the breeder! Rescues are the way to go, forgo the breeders and pet shops.
AthenasArmoury
What a beautiful story!! I was tearing up reading it. Thank you so much for sharing.
Ekioart
What a great story! As a golden momma and a rescue lovin gal this made me tear up. Thanks for sharing and being such a cool pet pal!
projectfelt
I'm crying now in the middle of work and people are looking at me like I'm crazy, but I can't help it. I have more love for animals than humans sometimes and this story makes me so happy!
brepettis
OK, I'm not a pet person, but this one's got my eyes a watering! Nice story
sweetestpea
LolaLynn
aimeedars
What a great story! Mulligan is so cute and looks so happy! Thanks for supporting rescue!
JewelryByEsta
You and Mulligan are both lucky!!!! I have had a multiple dog household for 35 years and they have all been rescues. Rescues make the best pets.
dillondesigns
What a beautiful story and a gorgeous dog! I have a wonderful disabled chihuahua myself who was born without her front two legs. The love a rescued pet can offer is like nothing else.
Thanks so much for sharing this!
NeedleArtCreations
You are a treasure for caring about this special little pup. To us, all animals are special. We've always adopted the strays, the needy, the unwanted, and all have been so wonderful. We love all animals and love to hear stories like yours. Arf arf, woof, and meow to you, Mully and Morgan.
HannahVPhotography
Thank you for thinking of extending your great love story with the rest of us. I contribute monthly to a woman who takes in many, many animals like Mulligan.
It's a hospice for animals. You should check them out!
Rubberhedgehog
Hi Mully, Morgan, and Family. Your story is just wonderful. Thank you so much for sharing it!
Sidelia AKA RubberHedgehog
Artwolf
kimylynn
Oh Elizabeth...you just brought tears to my eyes. What a lucky dog to get a second chance and to be rescued by you. I'm happy she rescued you as well..dogs do that to us, don't they?
I, of course, love your shop and hearing about your pups.
~Kimberli
mother of two 11 year old labs.
fishbonesilver
What a wonderful story! Lucky dog and lucky you! I have 5 Golden Retrievers so I know what special dogs they are.
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What a beautiful story.
A true rescue for both of you. A friend of mine always says, "the dog you need always comes into your life when you need them the most." I think that surely was the case for you and Mully.