embracing karma

(a post by Karma’s mum)

October 9th marks two years to the day since my amazing baby was rescued from such cruelty and abuse that it’s difficult for me to imagine. Today she is the happiest and most spoiled pup you can imagine.  I thought I might share a little #TBT (Australian time) in advance and show her progress via a few moments captured on video.

Click on the link below to check out the original video posted by GDP just five days after my baby was saved:

Karma’s Rescue Video from Gosford Dog Paws

When she first came home with me she had been in care and recovery with GDP for nearly four months yet she still wasn’t able to climb a stair or step up at all, and I had to help her up the small incline in the back yard.  But then after only two months…. stairs! Success!!! This is still one of my favourite Karma videos and makes me cry with such pride.

Now she is SO full of happiness and rambunctious energy that it’s hard to contain her!

SO proud of her and her determination and ability to forgive and love!!!

Look at that (nearly) straight line walking! Ahhhh my amazing kid!

I had some help putting together a little story about Karma’s life from her dear rescuer Elise. It’s a bit of a long read, but thanks to Elise I think it’s quite moving and lovely.

Well, what can we say about the strongest most beautiful girl ever?

Karma has been through hell and back. She came into our lives a broken little soul, unable to move and unable to hold her head up. She was weak and she was sad.
Unfortunately we cannot go into too much detail regarding what had happened to her, but she was kept on a heavy chain from the start of her life and she is permanently disabled.
The only way I can really describe Karma is that her condition is extremely similar to that of a child with cerebral palsy. Some vets think that it could be cerebellar hypoplasia or it could be the injury to her spine that was detected from x-rays. When she was first rescued she was so emaciated and so weak that she couldn’t lift her own head. After days of feeding her and building her strength she was able to move. Once she started doing this we could see her condition. She couldn’t walk in a straight line, her legs would move in the opposite direction then where she wanted to go and they would often move too quickly for her liking. She was unstable, but she was trying. She needed to build her muscles to help her gain strength which ultimately helped her with walking.

Karma is also incontinent, with no bladder or bowel control, perhaps from her spinal injury. If she only gets fed her good quality dry food at set times then the poo issue is fairly manageable.  Karma wears nappies inside when necessary that are super cute!

Karma also suffers from severe nightmares almost like seizures. She can kick very hard while she sleeps – she actually kicked out several wooden panels in her first kennel. She does sometimes growl or whine in her sleep but mostly it is (nightly) kicking and running dreams. Nothing seems to wake her from these horrible things, no matter how hard you shake her, it’s like she is trapped in the nightmare and can’t escape. She’s been on clomav (doggy prozac) for about a year now and it does seem to lessen them.

Karma has barely any teeth, she has had most of them removed and others have been worn down to the gum, most likely from chewing on the chain that held her captive. She’ll require much more dental surgery but she still scarfs down her food without issue!

An ultrasound has recently revealed some internal organ damage due to the extreme malnutrition she suffered as a pup. Her liver, kidney etc don’t quite function normally and thus she may have a shortened life span. This was difficult news to take.

However, today Karma is as strong as ever, with good nutrition, muscle strength, everything she needs to help her live as normal as possible. We couldn’t be happier with where her life is at right now and she is so very loved.

She is just the sweetest girl, and everyone who meets her falls in love with her and her happy charm. She LOVES people, which is amazing considering what she has been through.

She has grown so much, she is such a good brave happy girl.

This is my child. This is the love of my life and my soul mate. I am such a better person for Karma being in my life and teaching me such strong lessons in love, forgiveness and patience.  Thank you to everyone who loves Karma too and has been on this journey with me.

We do have an Instagram account with even MORE Karma pix – you can find us at steph_n_karma   —  AND THANK YOU EVERYONE FOR YOUR SUPPORT! xoxo

~Stephanie

ps Karma will be updating everyone on all her anniversary festivities over the weekend.  I think it’s fair to assume there will ridiculous amounts of pup spoiling going on!  As if we need an excuse! xx