All Hail the Queen

Some folk think HELL is not real. It is. She lived it. She experienced it. She survived it. For six years, Elizabeth was nothing but a breeding machine. She was kept in the dark in the crate. She attempted to gnaw her way out and in so doing, several of her teeth broke loose. When she became too old and could produce puppies any longer, she was of no use. She was abused. She was neglected. The call came in. Transport had begun. Rescue would take place. She would be arriving at our home. Were we ready? Did we have all that was necessary to make her feel safe, secure and most of all loved? She arrived. We knew her spirit had been broken. She was afraid of touch. She was anxiety ridden. It was as if she had no where to turn. We learned that she did not know how to leave our home. She was unfamiliar with taking a walk. Placing her in a vehicle was the worst nightmare. She associated the travel with being taken to be impregnated. We never took her for car rides. We never took vacation. We could not take the risk. We could not even take her for a vet visit. We actually paid for a mobile vet to assure her she would not be leaving HER home. Gradually, we saw her personality. If she wanted a rub or touch, she would butt her little head into your hand. That was HER permission for you to return her affections. There were other small triumphs. The first time she laid on her back for us to rub her belly. She looked like a big ole walrus. She was our queen. She was Queen Elizabeth.

There were many treasured moments that have now turned into cherished memories. Our ole boy, Jackson, (a rescue as well – 13 years old) loved walking underneath of Elizabeth’s chin with his tail. Not once did she ever nip him or remove herself from his wandering tail. There were many times that we would not be able to find Jackson and search our entire home only to find he had buried himself in the bed with Elizabeth. She was not a big girl, just symmetrically challenged. She was considered by society voluptuous. Jackson knew that if he needed to be warmed quickly this was the place to go – in bed with Elizabeth. Soon came another fella to the brood. We fostered, and you know it just like we do – when you foster, you foster FAIL. We ended up adopting the Rock / Rocky. He was a big Victorian bulldog with the elegance of a bull in a china shop. He was all puppy. He is 90 lbs. of romping, stomping romance. They became bonded, even though she stole the cradle just by a few years. Rocky did not mind. Every night the routine would begin of the preparation for bed time. We have so many beds for them. And yet, they chose one that they both their bodies could fit. When Jackson passed, we knew our home would not be complete until we had another feline. Little did we know that when we got Sunny, our home would be turned inside out. Our prayer was that Elizabeth would love him as much as she loved Jackson. Sunny was feisty with her. We know that she “tolerated” Sunny. It was not a match made in heaven. It was a match made because she learned how to acclimate in order to survive.

The years moved by quickly. She blessed our home for six wonderful years. She taught us patience. She taught us acceptance. She taught us that love comes in many fashions and forms and it takes time. It took six years for Elizabeth to trust us. There was never not a time that we did not give hugs to Elizabeth. Even though sometimes she did not want one, we still gave. Isn’t it better to give than to receive (Acts 20:35). It took 2,184 days for us to show her, she would remain safe and secure. On March 11, 2021, our queen crossed the rainbrow bridge. Our family cried. Over a pet. Over our queen. Rescue is hard. Rescue is eye opening. Rescue is unconditional. Rescue is love. In the end, it is true - love conquers all!