In Memory of Marty "Boofer"  1994- May 13, 2009

Marty’s story began with us in 2003.  I had just graduated from seminary when I received a call from a Humane Society asking if my rescue, Recycled Pomeranian and Schipperke Rescue, had room for an older, toothless, midget of a pom.  Of course, I said yes.  I still remember anxiously awaiting his arrival!  And then I saw him.  He was so pitiful.  Marty was about 3 pounds—skin and bones, and basically hairless.  I thought then, I am not sure that he will be around long—he was in such poor shape.  Marty’s story was that his owner had died, and one of the adult children had taken him in (sort of).  They had been keeping this tiny dog in their backyard with a larger dog.  Poor Marty was not getting any of the food.  He could not fend for himself.  I took Marty home, and began to try to fatten him up.  I also took him to the vet to get him checked out.  We started him on Thyroid medicine and gave him high quality holistic food and supplements.  Within six months, Marty had a glorious coat of hair, and his true personality was beginning to shine.  We nicknamed Marty, Boof –or the Boofer-because he did not bark—he boofed.  Marty would exert so much energy in boofing that his little front feet would come up off the floor every time he boofed.  And Marty was and is a character!  He loves people. . .  and thinks that everyone should know who he is and fawn all over him.  When I started taking him to Petsmart, he became known to the employees.  After they knew him, I would swear that he looked around as soon as we entered the doors to Petsmart, looking for his entourage. Initially, I had planned on finding an adoptive home for this special boy.  But after several potential adopters asked me if Marty could be trained to keep his tongue in his mouth—as it hangs out because he does not have any teeth to hold it in—I decided Marty needed to stay with me.  Of course, my husband and I were already quiet smitten with him. Boofer, the Boof, or Marty—will always have a special place in my heart.  I cannot imagine what the last 6 years would have been like without his loving and humorous presence in my life. Many times people are reluctant to adopt an older dog.  I can tell you from personal experience with several dogs that I have adopted as seniors—I would not go back and change a thing.  Yes, you may have them with you are shorter period of time, but the days that you spend with a senior are golden! Thank you Marty-Boof for coming into my life.  I will always love you!  You are my fur angel here on earth.  I love you Boofer!!!

  

Cinder wound up being another one of my special heart dogs. Even though he was so crippled, he never felt sorry for himself. He didn't know there was anything wrong with him and he decided he was my protector. If I had company, he would lay on the floor between me and the person. This only happened when we had company. Otherwise, he always laid in a nice soft comfy bed. He would challenge anybody who tried to take his bed from him. Lately, he had been getting onto Lil Britches, who at the age of 16 is blind and deaf and clumsy and weighs 6 1/2 lbs. Lil B kept accidentally trying to get into his bed because he couldn't see him and Cinder would give him what for. He loved the ladies and, if I picked him and one of the girls up, he was start licking their ears and get all excited. That's when the girls would give him the what for. Most of my ladies have had enough of males during their lifetime. : ) Cinder and I just seemed to go together and I feel like I am missing a part of me. He totally ignored Dicky as if he didn't even exist and seemed to live just for me. It's hard to describe, but there was a bond. Even though I only had the privilege of loving this little fella for three years, it was like we had spent a lifetime together. Here are some pictures of this precious fella. Thank you for bringing us together. He did enjoy his last few years and he was so loved!!