Name: Sky - 4 y/o
Family Members: Jocelyn & Jon, Joe-Labradoodle (9yo), Gus-shitzu-poodle (9yo) &
Meanie-black cat (4yo)
How long has Sky been in the family? 3 years
Professions: Jocelyn is a fourth grade teacher & Jon is a systems architect for a small data storage company.
Location: East Atlanta, GA.
Nicknames: Sky-Bye, Sky Haven Fall Berry, Okja
5 words/phrases that best describe Sky?
- Sleepy-head
- Spoiled Rotten
- Yogi
- Full Figured
- Cuddle Bug
What makes Sky unique? Sky is compassionate; she hates hearing babies cry on tv, movies or in real life. She also doesn’t like when she hears other dogs in distress. She will immediately come seeking a hug when she gets stressed out by these sounds.
There is nothing like a good belly rub!
Rescue Story: My husband and I rescued our fourth animal, but first pittie 3 years ago. It was an exceptionally cold February night with lows near 12. We were driving home from bowling with some friends and turned up our street, Skyhaven. That's when we saw this emaciated and famished blue pit bull sniffing around the neighbor’s garbage. (Later she coughed up half a corn cob.) We instantly stopped the car and without a conversation, understood that we needed to help, and likely keep this dog. I opened the door of my car and called to her. Without delay she came to my call and crawled up into my lap. I could see her entire spine and all of her ribs, she had engorged mammary glands (indicating she was a new mama) one of which was badly infected. We didn't know it at
the time but she was also riddled with advanced heartworm. We stopped at the house to get her some dog food, treats, blankets, and water; then rushed her to Village Vets in Decatur. We had to admit her, for shots, tests, fluids and monitoring. 1 night turned into 3 with multiple return visits over the next few weeks. When she was initially discharged we brought her to our vet East Atlanta Animal Clinic where they spent the next year working with us to fix up Sky. She was going to need vaccines, heartworm treatment, antibiotics to help with her mastitis infection, and down the road would need to be spayed. We were at a loss. This dog had already lived such a tough life. We knew we had to help her but weren’t sure how to financially swing it. We decided to start a Go Fund Me to help save Sky. With the help of our neighbors, friends and family we were able to raise about half of the total costs needed to rehabilitate our girl.
We found out through a neighbor that Sky had belonged to another neighbor and was being bred illegally. We found out that she had already given birth 3 times in her short 1.5 year life span. Sky was in such bad shape when she gave birth the first time, she ended up eating her litter. I didn’t believe dogs did this...turns out, they do. When a mother recognizes she is starving, can’t provide for her young, or is in major distress, she will eat her puppies for survival. This broke my heart. When she was heartworm free, she was spayed. During her treatment she would go into heat and we had our first experience with reusable dog diapers.
Now she is a full figured, grinning sleepy-head. She sleeps in bed with us, and rests her head on our pillows like the lady she is. She cleans and spoons our cat, rips holes in all our throw blankets and sheets because she has to build the fluffiest nest before committing to laying down. She defends our home and her pack. Some of her favorite activities include sunbathing, camping, hiking and car rides. She also enjoys getting belly rubs with coconut oil to help keep her sensitive skin moisturized. If we laying down next to Sky and we are not cuddling or petting her, she will extend her paw and tap us until we get the hint and dote on her some more.
Safe & cared for!
What is your favorite pastime as a family? Sunday morning snuggles in bed. During the work week I am up pretty early and that doesn’t agree with Sky’s schedule. I literally have to drag her from the bed by her front paws so she will go out before I head to work. On Sundays though, we get to stay in bed curled under the blankets. Her soft snoring is much like the purring Meanie makes while cuddled up next to Sky.
What is life like since you rescued Sky? Sky shows us how to appreciate the little moments, how to love unconditionally and how to forgive. We soon realized after rescuing Sky that our bed was not nearly enough room for 2 people, 3 dogs, and a cat. For our first anniversary we decided to invest in a King size bed to accommodate the Paez Pack. However, the bed was pretty high off the ground, so we ultimately ended up buying a bench for the foot of the bed that Sky and her brother, Gus use as a step stool. We have had to purchase more sheets and blankets because while Sky settles herself into a heap of blankets, she inevitably ends up tearing 90 degree rips in the fabrics. Even as aggravating as that can be, seeing Sky peacefully snoring tugs on all our heart-strings.
Photographers Notes: Sky's start in life is truly heartbreaking. However in typical dog fashion, she doesn't dwell on the past. She just enjoys the now and the loving family she is now a part of. To meet her and see that smile, there is not a trace of her past life there. I mean this girl has every reason not to trust humans but instead she is the sweetest silliest pup. She was happy to roll over for a belly rub during our photo shoot and even catch a couple winks (I mean being a model is hard work after all). When we were done, she walked right over to a gentlemen that was filming something in the park. She just plopped right down next to his seat and waited for him to pet her! It was really cute and the gentlemen was happy to oblige! The resiliency of dogs continues to amaze me and inspire me to also live in the now. We can learn so much from our lovable 4 - legged family members!