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Gotta love 'em, huh?
Manfred’s Story
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Manfred was born last November, on a
very cold day. He didn't know that, though, as he was inside a warm,
comfy home with his siblings. What he did know, in his baby way,
was that he was hungry. He was always hungry. He only weighed
1/2 ounce when he was born, while his sibling closest in weight was 4 ounces.
Manfred tried, he really did. He had a tremendous fighting spirit.
But, try to nurse as he would, his other, larger siblings always won out
on the nipples. He was transferred over to another nursing dam, but
her pups quickly outgrew tiny Manfred. At 3 weeks of age, Manfred
weighed 3/4 ounce, and began to fail.
In steps his human daddy. Daddy says to me, "Honey, this little
boy isn't going to make it." I say, "I know, but sometimes Nature
dictates what
happens. There may be a reason why he's just not going to make
it. Probably a health reason. It's hard, but sometimes it just happens."
Well,
Chef Guy prepares to become Manfred's parent. He devises a "puppy
gruel", and syringe feeds Manfred every two hours, day and night.
He massages his tiny body in the elimination process (that's integral in
keeping them alive), bathes him, warms him, loves him, talks to him, kisses
him, brings him to bed when he looks lonely. And most of all, he
keeps the tiny puppy's fighting spirit alive. Chef Guy becomes Manfred's
parent completely ...
and, slowly, Manfred begins to respond. He whimpers when he wants
his 'parent', whines when he wants to eat, and eagerly anticipates being
rocked to sleep every evening - without fail - by his human parent.
It's been a wonderfully touching success story in our home.
Today, Manfred, at 6 months old, weighs close to 10 pounds. He
is healthy ... in fact, his coat glistens like spun ivory ... his blue
eyes follow his
'daddy' every time he sees him. Manfred is perfect in every way
and is extremely loving. He 'talks' quietly with his human dad, and
... still anticipates being rocked to sleep by daddy every night when it's
time for bed.
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The Importance of Love
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Misty Lou Cecarelli on the Hopi Reservation.
Resident of Guilford, CT. Taking a break from working on the reservation
to hug a young hopi Child. Here she is with two little Hopi children and
2 little dogs on the Hopi Reservation in Arizona. Misty Lou Cecarelli of
Guilford, Ct. Goes to an
American Indian Reservation every year on spring break to help the
Native Americans rebuild, clear and clean the reservation. They stay in
a large
dormitory with kids from Ct. and I am not sure what other states with
very little comforts and very little sleep as there are so many in the
dorm that the noise keeps them awake all night.
This is to let people know that some of our
young people are out there doing something worthwhile. Our rats are wonderful
creatures but all animals play an important role in helping keep people
and children happy too. If you have any photos of people and children in
wondrous company send them to NRTA for every one to enjoy.
Fun Stuff
Owner The Kings. |
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