Zara's Love Story
Thankfully, our vet partners with Ellie’s Rainy Day Fund. They saved my girl, my first baby! My husband, son & the rest of our pack couldn’t be more thankful for the work that ERDF & those that donate to it, do for families just like us. The relief you provided for us has felt like a dream! Everyone of you who gives to this fund is a huge blessing to us!
A Message from Zara's Mom
As a kid I had lots of struggles. Many of those struggles came after the passing of my Father when I was just 6 years old.
It was on my birthday, just six months before my Dad's passing, that he got me my first, very own miniature pinscher puppy. We named him Dale, after my Dad's favorite NASCAR driver, Dale Earnhardt. Dale was special, and became even more special to me after losing my Dad.
Four years after my Dad's passing, I was hospitalized for 30 days with a dangerous internal infection. During my time in the hospital, my mother’s boyfriend at the time got rid of Dale. My heart was broken, Dale was all I had left of my Father.
My mother continued to stay involved with abusive men throughout the years. I was gifted puppies numerous times, but they never could stay. They were always taken away from me when the adults no longer wanted to deal with them.
Animals have always been an enormous passion of mine, dogs especially. After so many had been taken away, I vowed to myself that when I could leave home (which I did at age 16), I’d pick my own dog, that no one could take away from me and I would love her for the entirety of her life.
THAT is when Zara came along. I chose her the day she was born. My sweet girl. I absolutely hit the jackpot of dogs when I chose her. She’s everything perfect. She’s sweet, but spunky, confident & quirky, & absolutely hilarious. She adores our 3 year old son; they’re very best friends! The way she sits on the couch, I swear she thinks she’s human. She loves car rides, hanging out of the sunroof, & wears sunglasses like she was born to. Her love is limitless, as is mine for her. She protects fiercely, but only where it’s truly needed. We’ve taken in a few rescues over the years after bringing Zara home. She plays a huge part in their settling in, here in our home, helping them to gain trust & confidence, relearning how to be dogs. She’s nothing short of amazing, truly!
Another beautiful, & what I consider to be the most important thing about Zara, is the purpose she serves in my life, daily. I battle anxiety & depression that at times has become debilitating. Zara knows & acts quickly when my panic attacks hit. Sometimes she’s the only thing that can bring me out of one. She’s become my little in-home therapist & is registered as my emotional support animal. Her healing nature has done wonders for my mental health. She brings so much light into my life!
I’ll tell you, when Zara began panting, squinting & pacing around the house, I knew something was wrong. I was very concerned it could be pyometra, & the vet confirmed that. Zara needed emergency surgery, but there was no way for our family to cover the cost after all we spent trying to save our fur baby, Cleo, who we ultimately lost, just a few months prior, after two emergency surgeries.
Thankfully, our vet partners with Ellie’s Rainy Day Fund. They saved my girl, my first baby! My husband, son & the rest of our pack couldn’t be more thankful for the work that ERDF & those that donate to it, do for families just like us. The relief you provided for us has felt like a dream! Everyone of you who gives to this fund is a huge blessing to us!
