Our little stray.

Korea is known for puppy farms. Unfortunately, it's the type of thing that's just sort of accepted here. Cute little dogs that are bred in very poor conditions only to be sold in the streets. I've seen it and I literally broke down in tears. Typically someone will buy their special pup and two weeks later, their new addition will develop parvo which will ultimately kill them if proper medical measures aren't taken.

I only bring up this point because Josh and I got lucky. We live in an amazing brand new high-rise that has it's own park with flowing streams, trees, playgrounds and windy paths. This is not an area that usually sees stray animals. The animals around here are a family's little royalty, wearing designer dog outfits to fend off the cold weather. So when on a cold Friday night, Chloe and I came across a tiny, poofy stray, I was shocked and saddened.

At first I thought it was a cat so I told Chloe to, "Get the kitty." What a good little pug, she didn't hesitate to follow my command for one second. But when I heard the tiny little yark (a yelp and a bark combined) I knew we were dealing with a puppy. The little stray ran and hid under a set of stairs and had no intention of coming out; but who can blame her after Chloe's attack. Albeit a "pug" attack which is harmless and more funny than anything. So after 20 minutes of coaxing, I said a prayer for the stray and headed inside feeling guilty about leaving her in the cold while I headed for shelter.

This was a difficult thing for me to do being the animal person I am, but in my gut I knew the little stray would be okay.

That evening I told Josh about the adventure and again, said a prayer while I cuddled up under a warm blanket and went to sleep.

The next morning when I woke up, Josh and Chloe were both gone which meant they were outside so Chloe could do her morning duties. About 10 minutes later while I got my coffee, Josh and Chloe came in and I turned around to see the little stray tucked under Josh's arm. His leather jacket was smeared in feces and the little stray shook from fear and the chills, no doubt.

"I found her in the same spot," Josh said. Which meant the little stray had most definitely been out in the cold all night and who knows for how many other nights before.

We washed her and wrapped her up. We gave her warm food, water and let her rest. A couple hours later Josh took her to the vet only to have them tell us that she looked well so there was nothing they could test her for at that time. That, and keep her separated from Chloe for the next week in case she had parvo. For the next week we watched for signs of parvo while the little stray gained her appetite back and energy back. We'd visit her in the bathroom (her new warm home) and play with her. We'd practice picking her up so it wasn't so scary for her. We'd push her around a bit so she knew rough play. We'd make the occasional loud noise so it wouldn't scare her peeless like it once did.

A week later the vet gave her the first series of shots. It's been a week and a half now, and these days she's still really attached to her bathroom, but will venture out to the living room on her own. She still pees a lot, little dribbles here and there but the vet didn't think she was any older than two months so that's pretty normal. She's still very underweight so we're feeding her more than Chloe. The vet expects her to be a medium to large breed.

We've decided on the name Pearl, and she's growing on us. Chloe too. When I was saying my prayers for Pearl when she was still "the little stray" to us, I guess I didn't realize how close to home they would be answered. But there's no doubt that they came true. Pearl now has a safe, warm and loving home just like I asked for. It just so happens to be our safe, warm and loving home.