Zuzu Petals
 Early
October 2008 I began searching for a Wheaten terrier female. There
were already four dogs in our family but three were quite old in
doggy years. I had begun thinking that the three older girls would
probably all go to heaven within months of one another. I knew that
would be devastating and that it would leave a gaping hole in my
heart. I have lived with severe depression for many years and knew I
would need the love of a four footed baby to make it through such
grief. Also, my two-legged baby was serving in Iraq.
I really didn’t know that much about Wheaten terriers. I had seen
photos and had fallen in love with those deep brown eyes. The more I
researched the more I loved these dogs. I contacted WIN and Gwen
informed me they had just rescued two Wheaten adults but if at all
possible wanted to keep the two together. I couldn’t commit to
making a home for the two. I asked that they keep me in mind should
a female become available for adoption.
A few weeks later I received a call from Karen White who was
fostering ZuZu. ZuZu was the female of the two rescued adult
Wheatens. Karen said they had separated the two to see how they
would do and that actually ZuZu was doing much better alone. We made
plans to meet.
 On
10-30-2008, I headed to Karen’s house to meet ZuZu. The first thing
I saw when I pulled up in front of Karen’s house was Karen and ZuZu
standing at the glass door to the White house. I’m pretty sure my
mouth dropped open. ZuZu was absolutely beautiful.
I entered the house and knelt down to greet ZuZu, not knowing
about the “Wheaten Greetin”. I was soon on my back in Karen’s front
room being greeted by not only ZuZu but Molly and Megan as well. It
was wonderful. I laughed and laughed as the girls licked all over my
face and hands and raced through the house and back again.
ZuZu and I bonded on the spot. I signed the paperwork, received
pertinent info from Karen as to ZuZu’s health and feeding and asked
questions about the care of ZuZu’s beautiful fur. I told Karen I had
just received the wonderful news that our first grandchild had been
born only days before and I was on my way to meet the child. Karen
offered to keep ZuZu for the next few days if I wanted to travel on
to meet the baby and pick ZuZu up on my way home. No Way! As I said,
ZuZu and I had already bonded and I was taking my baby with me. We
buckled ZuZu in her new seatbelt harness on her new blankie and ZuZu
and I were off on our first journey together.
I found out later that ZuZu had been fostered by Karen and Ray on a
previous occasion. It was Karen who found ZuZu at an animal shelter.
At the time of ZuZu’s initial rescue she still had some of her puppy
coat. Karen said her fur was matted and she was full of fleas but
she still had her happy personality. Karen shared those initial
photos with me. ZuZu did have a chip but the family never came
forward after contact was attempted. When ZuZu came into care the
second time Karen said she and Ray wondered if maybe it was a sign
that she was meant to live with them. I am so very grateful they
gave me the opportunity to have her in my life.
We traveled on to Wichita Falls, loved on the baby and eventually
moved on to my parent’s home to visit. My mom said ZuZu should be
named “Velcro” because she never left my side. Anywhere I went,
ANYWHERE I WENT, ZuZu was right there beside me.
 When
we did finally make it home my husband Mark was immediately taken
with ZuZu. She charmed him just like she did me.
Now, almost three years later, we have lost three of our older
girls. ZuZu is our baby girl. She is absolutely, totally spoiled
rotten. The first time we left her alone to go shopping we returned
to find she had literally cried a puddle. Her whole face was wet
with tears. Mark and I decided we’d never leave her alone again. If
a restaurant did not have a window where we could see ZuZu, and she
could see us, we went to a different restaurant! Yep, she’s spoiled.
She has her own Milk-Glass feeding bowl, shaped like a flower (ZuZu
Petals), she has too many toys to count, and Karen’s favorite…she
has Ugg booties to wear on our walks when it has rained. Yep, she’s
spoiled.
I have to lavish compliments on Karen and Ray’s care of ZuZu. She
is a wonderful pet and has been from the very beginning. She has
never had an accident in the house and she has beautiful manners.
She waits for an invitation before she jumps onto our bed knowing
she will sleep right up there between my husband and me. We’ve
tossed quilts across our leather sofas so that she can join us while
we watch television, but she always waits for an invitation. She
walks well on a leash and, most of the time, she comes when I call
her. Sometimes she needs to chase one more squirrel or make one more
circle of the yard before coming in. That’s just fine. A girl’s
gotta do what a girl’s gotta do.
Karen has never become annoyed with me and my endless e-mails. We
had a health scare but it turned out to be allergies. Karen
immediately sent e-mails to Gwen who opened the consult up to other
breeders/owners giving me ideas to put to our veterinarian. We were
prepared to park an RV at College Station if we needed to take her
to the specialists. There is no amount of money that could replace
this girl’s presence in our lives.
When my son returned from Iraq he had adjustments to go through and
ZuZu was there to help him. Many times I came in to find him on the
sofa sleeping with ZuZu right there on top of him, guarding him. He
calls it, “Watching his back.” ZuZu always knows when she is needed.
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