Brooklyn from Texas

Brooklyn came into our lives when we weren't even looking to get a dog. We got her when she was 12 weeks old. The first night we had her, we were at the 24 hour vet with a prolapsed rectum. The next few days were very tough. We were hoping that her problem could be surgically fixed, but that was not the case. But, already, we had taken her in as part of our family. Brooklyn was born with a birth defect in which she feels no sensation in her bottom area. She is completely incontinent and unaware of the need to "go". Her tail has no sensation whatsoever either. It almost seems like she knows she has special needs because she is so affectionate and loving. She is a tiny chihuahua - 2.3 pounds at 17 weeks. But wonderful things can come in tiny packages. And Brooklyn is definitely one of those things. Initially, I thought, my gosh, I can't handle this, I can't do this, someone else who knows what they are doing should take care of her. My first post on the forum is under "Rescue". It broke my heart. A home was found quickly, but as we started getting close to the time she could "move", it was just tearing us apart. Her care became routine, just part of the day. We decided we could do this, that we were able to care for her. Now, we all pitch in. My mom even babysits if I need her to. It was much more stressful trying to decide what to do with her than it is in taking care of her. Now, it's easy, and instead of posting under "Rescue" I am posting advice for others. Brooklyn turned one year old on Feb 9th. She is worth every minute we spend taking care of her. She weighs right at 3.5 pounds now, but is the best guard dog in Texas. She is doing great!! We celebrated her first birthday and she loved dressing up and eating the icing off her cake. (We didn't try to blow out the candle.) I know in my heart that God put Brooklyn into our lives for a reason. Whether it was for us to care for her or for her to care for us, it doesn't really matter. All things for a reason, right? Click the first pic to start the slideshow. Email me if you want instructions to make your own cheap and disposable diapers. They are lifesavers for us. keebleredwards@yahoo.com