Floyd, Lyle, and Eli

 Today's story is a special request. Katie has asked that we share her pets today, May 1st, as it is Floyd's birthday. Floyd went to the Rainbow Bridge last December, but Katie still shares her home with Lyle and Eli. We are glad to share animals here even if they have passed. I've shared some of my previous pets and have shared some other dogs too.  The point of the Rescue Dog Blog is to raise awareness about the beautiful dogs waiting for homes and the way these pets have enhanced our lives. Although Katie only had Floyd for a little over a year, she wouldn't trade the experience for anything.

 
Katie moved to New Orleans from Michigan in 2011, and before long she found herself missing her parents' dog. She began looking through Petfinder and that's where she saw Floyd, whom she was in love with from the time she saw his listing. 

She brought him home in September, and before long she discovered he didn't think he was a dog, he thought he was a boy. He liked to be held on her hip. He went in the shopping cart at PetSmart, sitting up like a baby. He loved wearing clothes! Katie took him on car rides and together they sat and watched the traffic go by. Floyd had it really good. Katie thought maybe there was one little thing missing. . . company for him while she was at school and work.

That's where Lyle the Maltese comes in. At first when Katie took Floyd and visited other dogs, Floyd sat protectively on her lap and barked at any dog who got too close to his mommy. Katie persisted and Lyle was the dog who needed Katie and Floyd the most. He was trying to live as a stray in the zoo. He was underweight and had terrible allergies. The rescue group and Katie worked together and nursed Lyle back to health.  He and Floyd were buddies, relying on each other during storms especially. 

Floyd continued to be a little ham, and Katie even entered him in a costume contest that was part of a benefit for a local dog rescue. Here he is in his tiger costume!  He won third place, and he even sat up at the end, begging Katie to be picked up. I'd like to see what the 1st and 2nd place dogs looked like because I can't picture anything cuter than this!

Sadly, not long after the contest Katie found out Floyd had cancer. She took him to a few different veterinarians including a specialist, but in the end at the doctors' advice she decided it was best to just make Floyd comfortable and wait until it was time.  Those of us who have been through it will recognize it as one of the most difficult experiences imaginable, and the kind of thing that seems impossible.  But Katie knew when it was time, and on Dec. 3 of 2012 she took Floyd to the veterinarian's for the last time. She gave him the ultimate comfort of her arms while she said goodbye. 

Well I don't know about you but I sure am crying now. However, that's not the end of Katie's story. She still had Lyle and he still needed her as much as he ever had. In fact, he needed her more because he was so distraught about Floyd. She knew she couldn't replace Floyd, but she also wanted to honor his memory and help Lyle by finding another rescue dog who needed them. So, six weeks after Floyd crossed the Rainbow Bridge she and Lyle drove to Lake Charles, LA and met Eli, a fun and loving mini-poodle who really loves car rides.

 
It helped Lyle and Katie heal, but nothing can replace the dogs we lose. Katie wanted to share this Last Will and Testament:

A Dog's Last Will & Testament:

To a poor and lonely stray, I give my happy home; my bowl and cozy bed, soft pillow and all my toys; the
lap, which I loved so much; the hand that stroked my fur; and the sweet voice that spoke my name.

I will to the sad, scared shelter dog the place I had in my human's loving heart, of which there seemed
no bounds.

So, when I die, please do not say, "I will never have a pet again, for the loss and pain is more than I can
stand."

Instead, go find an unloved dog, one whose life has held no joy or hope, and give my place to him.

This is the only thing I can give....
The love I left behind.

Author Unknown.

Happy Birthday Floyd!

All rescue dog stories are welcomed here. Share yours by emailing me at pabibliophile@gmail.com

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