Thursday, February 20, 2014

The Transformation of Cissy

~Josh (left) and Sheba last week~
Bright warm sunshine is quickly melting our snow this week and making a huge mess out of our yard.  It's this time of the year when I wonder if, when and how grass will ever grow again.

On Tuesday, Dale our little foster cat went to his forever home.  The home was a single Mom with a young teen-aged son who I thought seemed to need a good friend.  I think that Dale has the potential to be that friend. I wish them all many happy years together. And yes, Shadow is still convinced that Dale is in our spare bedroom.
Someone asked a couple of weeks ago about Cissy and Sunny.  I thought today I'd take a moment and let you know how Cissy is doing.  I will post about Sunny in my next post this weekend.

It has been nearly a year since Cissy came to us from a rural shelter in Virginia.  
In my opinion, she is barely recognizable as the shell of a dog I met last March with nails so long she could barely walk.
~Cissy: March 23, 2013~
It has been quite the journey for her because it has been one filled with health challenges.  I never mentioned here on my blog but will now say that there were many weeks when I felt enormous guilt because I felt like I was failing Cissy; especially late last summer when she lost most of her coat and was having ongoing problems with her skin and ears. But with the expertise, encouragement and care of Cissy's vet, Dr. C, she pulled us through the worst of it.  Now after nearly 11 months, it is easy to see that Cissy feels and looks better than she ever has.  The ear problems are resolved, her skin has healed and her coat is soft and growing back nicely and is becoming thick again, just in time for spring!
~Cissy: February 14, 2013~
Cissy loved the snow we had last week, she loves going for walks and always has a 'roo-roo-roooo' for me anytime I say something to her. And no matter how hard he tries, and he really has, Cissy still won't 'talk' to Carl.
But its been humbling for me to see and be part of Cissy's transformation both on the inside and the outside. I'm very grateful to the rescue, our Vet, Dr. C who never gave up on Cissy who showed everyone not long after she arrived at Golden Pines, that she had an inner-spark that only needed to be ignited. And finally, I am grateful and thankful to you, our readers who have been cheering her on from your corner of the world.

54 comments:

  1. Love and hard work are what it takes..... I love that Cissy and you too for not giving up!

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  2. It breaks my heart to see the state Cissy was in before she came to you. Poor little thing. She is so beautiful. I am glad she is coming along so nicely. xxx

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  3. I remember how sad she was when she first came. What a difference!

    Monty and Harlow

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  4. So glad to hear that Cissy is doing well.

    Thor and Jack

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  5. All you need is LOVE,,,ta da da da da...:)JP

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  6. she's so precious. love seeing her so healthy and happy and comfortable!

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  7. Yours and Carl's hard work has definitely paid off. She looks like a completely different dog. Thanks for sharing such great news. Have a great weekend. ana

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  8. Amazing....Cissy looks like a totally different dog. Shows what love, patience, and a lot of good care can do.

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  9. Another success story for Golden Pines, we are so proud of what you and Carl do, Kim!

    Jo, Stella and Zkhat

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  10. She's a beautiful girl and there was never a doubt in my mind that you weren't doing the very best for her Kim. She couldn't have landed in a better place.

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  11. She is such a lovely and happy girl.

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  12. I will miss that little sunshine kitty, but happy he is going to be with a good family.

    And your update on Cissy made me smile! She really seems to love the snow!

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  13. Really pleased that Dale has found a forever home. And also how lovely it is to see how well Cissy is, congrats to you for the love and care you have given her.

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  14. Love Cissy's transformation, she is such a beautiful dog. You knew she was somewhere in there when you got her, right?
    So... Dale is in his new, forever home. That's great! Do you plan to foster another kitty?
    All that snow is pretty, but it does create a mess - but probably great for your summer lawn!

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  15. Sweet Cissy looks as beautiful on the outside as she has ALWAYS been on the inside!

    A roo roo roo to sweet Cissy and her furever family at Golden Pines and the rescue that believed in her as much as we did.

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  16. Dale will have that special personality that gingers seem to have, and will make one young lad so happy. And Cissy, she really is a " Valentine's Day" model, what a journey for you all,you share so much with us, we can all share some happiness today that with a wonderful vet, so much LTC, and time, Cissy is how she is today,in the snow, glowing with health and joy. Cheers to you and Gary, Jean.

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  17. What a wonderful transformation Cissy has made under your loving care! God Bless you!
    We are happy for Dale to have found another great home, although I still wish we could have taken him :(
    I fell in love :)

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  18. Wonderful news about Dale hope he and his new family do well ! WOOHOO for Cissy !!! glad all is going good TLC always does the trick . Lovely photos . We are in the midst of a thunder snow storm then it turned to sleet and now it is raining , weird weather for sure lol ! Thanks for sharing . Have a good day !

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  19. Cissy looks amazing - what a happy girl she is. I'm so happy for Dale too, I wish him a long, happy and healthy future with his new fur-ever home.

    xxx

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  20. Hi Kim, tears of joy, so so happy Cissy looks so good. What a transformation, see what love does and of coarse good care.....Enjoy your blog with those beautiful dogs and you sweet Angel, Big Hugs Francine.

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  21. My, Cissy has changed so much for the better! Your love and care really made the difference for her, I am sure.

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  22. That's a happy story. Must make you feel good just to look at her now.

    XXXOOO Daisy, Bella & Roxy

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  23. I am so happy that Cissy is doing so well. She looks so much better, thanks to you! My Goldie Girl has a Roo-roo-rooo for me too. Adorable photos.

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  24. So glad Dale has a good home. Cissy's story is a heartwarming one indeed.

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  25. Happy to hear Dale has found a forever home and how wonderful that Cissy is doing so well! I can't even imagine the emotions that come with dealing with the issues many of the rescues have.

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  26. Your post brought tears of happiness to my eyes. Dale has a forever home, thanks to you. And, Cissy, wow... I barely recognize her as the same dog as arrived last March. Wonderful.

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  27. Have a blessed weekend, Kim. ♥

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  28. I can't tell you how much I love hearing the "report" on Cissy. In my mind it exemplifies exactly what GP is all about. She was such a sad case when I first read about her. Very much like the Chub Bros. she just needed a chance to shine. She looks terrific!

    Roooooos from Easton to Cissy, I know she'll understand.

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  29. it breaks my heart to see Cissy's previous condition. I am thrilled she is with you now and that she has come back to life with your diligent care. How can it be possible that there are those that mistreat?

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  30. What a transformation - thank God Cissy found refuge with you - she living her new life now!

    Woofs
    Nadine & goldens Neeli & Elle

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  31. I haven't asked about her, but of all your dogs I think of her the most. She was just such sad case, one of the worst, I think, that you have taken in. I am so glad to get this update and that she is doing so well. How cute she is.

    Shadow is a stalker, isn't he. I am so glad to hear that Dale got a good home.

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  32. now the beautiful dog inside is matching the beautiful dog outside.
    thank god dr c and you both saw her real self and gave her a fighting chance.
    i love you for that.
    always the you for that.
    and...
    shadow at that door. LOL.
    couldn't you let him in mom... with you behind... to sniff and see for himself dale is REALLY TRULY gone? or then... maybe you already have. and he's hoping for a miracle!
    xoxo

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  33. Hi Kim, I am so happy that your love and care brought Cissy back from the edge. You simply amaze me-how you take in these ill and failing pups and transform their lives. Well done!
    Thanks for sharing Cissy's status with us.
    Happy Friday!
    Hugs, Noreen

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  34. Hi Kim, I am so happy that your love and care brought Cissy back from the edge. You simply amaze me-how you take in these ill and failing pups and transform their lives. Well done!
    Thanks for sharing Cissy's status with us.
    Happy Friday!
    Hugs, Noreen

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  35. Amazing and wonderful! You saved her...

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  36. Go Cissy! I'm always delighted to read about her. What a wonderful job you all did.

    C.

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  37. What a difference!!! Love and your belief in her have made her into the dog that she knew she could become. Way to go, Kim ... you're a good one.

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  38. You are an angel on this earth....thank you thank you for being such an incredible person to these beautiful creatures.....
    And also thank you for your nice comments on my site.....:)

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  39. Oh my stars - what a difference! Oh what a little love and care will do huh? Fantastic. Excellent job Kim - those pups are truly loved. No doubt about it.
    xo Catherine

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  40. Cissy looks great and I'm sure Dale is going to have a whale of a time.

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  41. So interesting that Cissy won't talk to Carl. So good to see her enjoying the snow. Thank you KIM for not giving up on her too. Sending the Golden PINES Gang Lots of Golden LOVE.
    Not sure if you saw our FB message ... Golden Thanks you for the card :-)

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  42. So interesting that Cissy won't talk to Carl. So good to see her enjoying the snow. Thank you KIM for not giving up on her too. Sending the Golden PINES Gang Lots of Golden LOVE.
    Not sure if you saw our FB message ... Golden Thanks you for the card :-)

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  43. Look what love, dedication and care can do, Kim! Cissy looks like a 'new' dog! Give him time, I think he will come around as far as Carl goes. One thing at a time.
    Happy 'almost spring'!

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  44. Hi Y'all!

    Oh what a wonderful post...and what a lucky girl Sissy is to have been rescued by you...and her talking to you is her saying "thank you, thank you".

    Y'all come by now,
    Hawk aka BrownDog

    P.S. Been catchin' up with y'all.

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  45. Quite a transformation! Now, she looks so happy and she really deserves it! Happy Sunday, Kim and the pack!

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  46. It feels amazing to know that you two are doing well now. It's definitely the result of your dedication and efforts. Cissy must be feeling very glad and you too.
    Give her as mush time as possible
    Cheers

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  47. I am happy to hear of Dale's forever home. Cissy's condition was so, so horrible. Did the people who treated her like this ever have charges brought against them? I love the picture of her in the snow!
    oxox
    Daisy

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  48. I remember how worried we were when her liver values came back. I am proud to be a part of how much better she is doing. Working with you is one of the joys of my career. If I do say so myself, I think we make a great team!

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Speak--I really enjoy your comments! Thanks for stopping by today!!