 KatieMae's Story
On November 9, 2002, Terry and I took part in the WURL of an
older boy, Cecil, who was heading for a new home out west. We were
staying overnight on Toledo and picking up a wee mite named
KatieMae. She was coming home with us to be fostered here and
evaluated for her incontinence. We handed Cecil off to Roxann and
Tim and they took him to South Bend where they met up with Dee and
Tina who gave them Katie. Roxann and Tim brought her back to us and
we fell in love that with little black Wheatie face. She was as
sweet as she was cute, a 3 ½ month old charmer.
She was a pet store purchase, bred by a notorious puppy miller.
Her older owner couldn’t cope with her constantly wet behind and,
thankfully, surrendered her to WIN.
 Katie had a couple of visits to our regular vet. Other than a
slight ear infection and her incontinence, she was perfectly
healthy. Our vet referred her to a specialist for tests and possible
surgery. Katie had an IVP that showed she had a pelvic bladder with
ectopic ureters, meaning her bladder was way back in her pelvis with
the ureters attaching behind and below this rudimentary bladder. The
urethra was less than an inch long. There was no surgery that could
help. The options we were given were either let her live in diapers
or put her down. Well, the second was not an option. She was too
cute and bright, she make someone a wonderful pet.
Time went by, she became Liffey’s very best friend, my cuddle
baby and Terry’s shadow. He broke his ankle and she spent a long
time snuggling in his arms, taking naps with him. She became part of
the family. It soon became evident that no one wanted a puppy with
this type of medical problem. I contacted a few applicants but no
interest. At this time, unbeknownst to me, some very dear friends
could tell how much we loved this little “foundling” and, between
them, were quietly paying her adoption fee. Needless to say, Terry
and I were speechless and very touched when we found out.
 Sometimes I get tired of changing diapers, daily baths, the
matting on her hind quarters and constantly watching for daper rash.
But that never lasts more than a minute. This little girl climbs up
onto my lap, lays her head on my chest and looks into my eyes and I
melt and thank the heavens that her owner turned her into WIN so she
was spared an unimaginable fate. If she had been returned to the pet
store, she would have either been destroyed or returned to the
horrific conditions at the puppy mill and bred to her death, like
her mom.
Thanks to WIN, Finbar and Liffey have a good friend to play with
and we have learned even more patience that we would have thought
possible!
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