Lisa Bakalars

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PapAdopters

Pepe, Abby, Joey, Sophie,
Vinny, Maddy & Petrie
...and Betsy at the Rainbow Bridge...we miss you!
Lisa Bakalars

Pepe
Pepe is my first boy, my first rescued dog that I adopted. Up until that point, I had only fostered and never felt it was the perfect match for me to keep forever. I found Pepe in a kill shelter in AZ. He was a stray that was on his last day. Luckily for him and for me, I flipped over his "stray" tag and found out he was to be euthanized the next day. He was shy and sweet and quickly won my heart and soul. He loves absolutely everyone and everything and is the best boy in the whole world. I adopted Pepe when he was 1.5 years old and he will be 10 in January.

Abby
I soon realized that Pepe needed a friend. He was so devoted to me that he would lay on my shoe and cry when I went to work. I contacted the All Breed Rescue in Phoenix and inquired about a Papillon. Abby was surrendered by her breeder to rescue due to the fact that she couldn't produce a litter. I brought her home and Pepe fell in love. Abby unfortunately took about a year to warm up to Pepe. She didn't know how to be a pet, she was used to staying in a crate 20 hours a day. It took a lot of work and love to turn her into the pampered princess she is now. She is quiet and sweet and totally unlike any female Pap I'd ever met. I adopted Abby when she was 5 and she just turned 12 last May.

Joey
I was at the East Side Kill Shelter in Arizona when I first saw Joey. I was there to look for a Chihuahua for another group and saw his little face as I was walking out. I inquired about him and they said he would not be put up for adoption. He was due to be euthanized due to his extreme fear of people. He was starving and terrified and I convinced the shelter to let me take him. Joey was a mess when he was first adopted. He had been beaten so badly that he couldnt use one of his legs. He was about 3 lbs and was so so sick. He had kennel cough, giardia, coccidia and a very bad infection. I slowly rehabilitated him with good food and slow exercise. We went thru a lot those first 6 months. I quit fostering dogs so I could devote my time to Joey. He bit me every day for about 6 months. He bit everyone else too. He chased cars, kids, bikes, birds, cats, dogs, you name it - Joey acted out in fear aggression. It was a very trying time, often reducing me to tears. But it was all worth it. Joey is a happy, naughty scamp now and even though he is a rascal..he is a sweet silly boy who I love with all of my heart. I adopted Joey when he was 2 and he is now 5.

Sophie
Sophie came into PCA rescue at the age of 10. She was abandoned at a vet clinic. After sifting thru the paperwork, we found out her original loving owners had died, and the children took in Sophie, not knowing there was a clause in her placement contract with her breeder for return (if the owners even had the original contract) They didnt really want Sophie it seemed, as they either had her boarded or kept locked in a crate most of the year they had her before finally abandoning her. Sophie came to rescue with several health issues and behavioral problems. What was once a loved, cherished pet was now an untrusting, angry snapping Papillon. Her breeder was notified and offered to take her back if we couldnt place her. With all of her special needs I stepped up and offered to adopt Sophie. We slowly worked thru her behavioral issues and she gained back her trust in humans. Sophie has epilepsy, kidney stones and a very small liver. She is now 12 yrs old and has found her spot in my heart and home.

Vinny
Vinny was a foster dog of mine when I volunteered for an all breed, euthanasia list rescue in Arizona. I loved him deeply and he was with me for several months as he recouped from major surgery - he had acute pancreatitis and his organs had been pushed into his chest cavity from the scar tissue. Vinny was my favorite foster and I cried and cried when he was adopted. I did feel though that his new family was perfect. Off he went with his new family and I thought that would be the last I'd see of him. A few months later, I decided to move to Minnesota. Once I arrived, I heard from my old rescue that Vinny was being returned for being destructive. I immediately knew that it was obviously the family's fault (since he was perfect) and set about trying to find a way to get him to MN. No way was I going to let my sweet Vinny sit at Petsmart waiting for a home - he had one - with me and the family of rescued Paps. Vinny thinks he is a Papillon, but he feels he is much more handsome. He also gets to wear snappy sweaters, winter jammies and a toasty warm snowsuit for winter. Vinny is deaf, has a heart murmur and a fused spine. He is a sweet special boy who will be 15 in February.

Maddy
Maddy was rescued from a Missouri puppymill at the age of 5 weeks. She, her brother Lenny and 3 others went into foster care in hopes of eventually finding forever homes. She went to MN for foster care until she could be old enough for spaying. In April of last year, we iscovered Maddy's congential defect and a plea was put out to the Papillon Community for help.

Within 2 weeks time, enough money was raised for Maddy to have first of its kind surgery in Madison, WI. The Papillon Community banded together and thru support, prayers and tears, she was given a new lease on life. Her progress was followed weekly on her website and everyone cheered when her 12 weeks of recoup was over. Unfortunately for Maddy, her bones grew after her surgery - giving her the additional risk of arthritis of the elbow and future surgeries. Her condition will need to be monitored for the rest of her life.

There is a chance of future surgeries of course. The plate could break, the plate could grow to irritate her, you just never know if dysplasia will set in as she ages. She will need X-rays every 6 months and Joint Care and Vitamin C for life.

Adoption inquiries had long since ceased and the interested people were either too far away, wanted her if and when she was "fixed" or not the right homes. I couldn't chance her future after we had come so far. It had been a year since she came to my home and in my home she belonged. I wanted to be sure Maddy remained a part of the Papillon Community - where people could rejoice at her triumph and feel proud of what they had been a part of. I made the decision that Maddy would remain with me forever.

She is now 2 years old. She is my wild child who brings out the playfulness in each new rescue that passes through. She relentlessly plays with them til they are adopted...then gladly moves onto the next. She loves the girls and the boys...the oldsters and the puppies. Maddy loves everyone.

I look back at last summer...at the pictures of her in her playpen with that cone on her head and splint on her leg. It seems so long ago...and just like yesterday. She is here with me and with her Mother, Betsy. She is loved and she loves back.

Petrie
Petrie's life started out good. A happy frolicking Papillon puppy born in a "show" home. Then she was sold to a novice show person (who soon became an ex-show person). How Petrie spent the next 9 years is a big question mark, but in late 1991 she came into Rescue. We're not sure how or when she lost her eye; she was blind when we got her. She was missing most of her fur and had a severe skin condition. Her mouth was also grossly neglected. During a dental she lost all of her teeth, and we also discovered a broken jaw that appears to have never been treated.

I had just lost my Betsy, and my heart ached over this newest rescued dog. Petrie came to me as an intended foster, but quickly won her way into my heart and home. Her medical requirements were excessive, so I made the decision to assume responsibility for her, and that she would stay with me forever. She has a few other health issues that we're working thru, but Petrie's life is good now. She plays with toys and snuggles in soft beds. She is my sweet little muffin and will be loved the rest of her life.

Betsy....At the Rainbow Bridge

Betsy came to Papillon Club of America (PCA) Rescue on July 15, 2000, after spending her first 12 years in a puppy mill. While in the mill, she was bred repeatedly, knew no human kindness, had no good food or fresh water. She came with many health issues, including a skin condition, worms, an infected eye, sores on her body and a mouth full of rotting teeth. Her back leg had been amputated by someone or something - not a veterinarian.

Lots of love, 3X weekly special baths, tons of antibiotics and supplements got Betsy on the road to recovery. she had all of her teeth pulled - and things were looking up - it was a long summer for Betsy and me. She had her good days and bad, but mostly good. Betsy has a weak spine due to trauma at the mill and it began to go out on her. She'd be unable to walk and would crawl around like a crab. In November of 2000, she began to have seizures. With everything Betsy had going on, it was determined that she would remain a permanent resident. She was unable to be spayed and the emotional trauma of moving her was too great.

Last spring, the unthinkable happened, Betsy went into heat. And stayed in heat. After 8 weeks, I finally gave in and took the risk of spaying her in order to avoid pyometra. Once again, Betsy bounced back. She has been weakened since this began, but remains a fighter. Betsy didn't survive 12 years in a puppymill for nothing. Betsy has educated countless people about the horrors of puppymills. She is a survivor, a fighter and the sweetest gentlest soul you could ever meet. On July 15th, we celebrated her one year anniversay of freedom. I hope to be celebrating many many more.

Betsy went to the Rainbow Bridge on November 7, 2001 after a long battle with health issues. She will never be forgotten. Rest in peace, my sweetest girlie.

Please see Betsy's webpage at:
www.nopuppmills.com/betsy.html

Some graphic images are used with permission by:

	Pepe Pepe is my first boy, my first rescued dog that I adopted. Up until that point, I had only fostered and never felt it was the perfect match for me to keep forever. I found Pepe in a kill shelter in AZ. He was a stray that was on his last day. Luckily for him and for me, I flipped over his "stray" tag and found out he was to be euthanized the next day. He was shy and sweet and quickly won my heart and soul. He loves absolutely everyone and everything and is the best boy in the whole world. I adopted Pepe when he was 1.5 years old and he will be 10 in January.
	Abby I soon realized that Pepe needed a friend. He was so devoted to me that he would lay on my shoe and cry when I went to work. I contacted the All Breed Rescue in Phoenix and inquired about a Papillon. Abby was surrendered by her breeder to rescue due to the fact that she couldn't produce a litter. I brought her home and Pepe fell in love. Abby unfortunately took about a year to warm up to Pepe. She didn't know how to be a pet, she was used to staying in a crate 20 hours a day. It took a lot of work and love to turn her into the pampered princess she is now. She is quiet and sweet and totally unlike any female Pap I'd ever met. I adopted Abby when she was 5 and she just turned 12 last May.
	Joey I was at the East Side Kill Shelter in Arizona when I first saw Joey. I was there to look for a Chihuahua for another group and saw his little face as I was walking out. I inquired about him and they said he would not be put up for adoption. He was due to be euthanized due to his extreme fear of people. He was starving and terrified and I convinced the shelter to let me take him. Joey was a mess when he was first adopted. He had been beaten so badly that he couldnt use one of his legs. He was about 3 lbs and was so so sick. He had kennel cough, giardia, coccidia and a very bad infection. I slowly rehabilitated him with good food and slow exercise. We went thru a lot those first 6 months. I quit fostering dogs so I could devote my time to Joey. He bit me every day for about 6 months. He bit everyone else too. He chased cars, kids, bikes, birds, cats, dogs, you name it - Joey acted out in fear aggression. It was a very trying time, often reducing me to tears. But it was all worth it. Joey is a happy, naughty scamp now and even though he is a rascal..he is a sweet silly boy who I love with all of my heart. I adopted Joey when he was 2 and he is now 5.
	Sophie Sophie came into PCA rescue at the age of 10. She was abandoned at a vet clinic. After sifting thru the paperwork, we found out her original loving owners had died, and the children took in Sophie, not knowing there was a clause in her placement contract with her breeder for return (if the owners even had the original contract) They didnt really want Sophie it seemed, as they either had her boarded or kept locked in a crate most of the year they had her before finally abandoning her. Sophie came to rescue with several health issues and behavioral problems. What was once a loved, cherished pet was now an untrusting, angry snapping Papillon. Her breeder was notified and offered to take her back if we couldnt place her. With all of her special needs I stepped up and offered to adopt Sophie. We slowly worked thru her behavioral issues and she gained back her trust in humans. Sophie has epilepsy, kidney stones and a very small liver. She is now 12 yrs old and has found her spot in my heart and home.
	Vinny Vinny was a foster dog of mine when I volunteered for an all breed, euthanasia list rescue in Arizona. I loved him deeply and he was with me for several months as he recouped from major surgery - he had acute pancreatitis and his organs had been pushed into his chest cavity from the scar tissue. Vinny was my favorite foster and I cried and cried when he was adopted. I did feel though that his new family was perfect. Off he went with his new family and I thought that would be the last I'd see of him. A few months later, I decided to move to Minnesota. Once I arrived, I heard from my old rescue that Vinny was being returned for being destructive. I immediately knew that it was obviously the family's fault (since he was perfect) and set about trying to find a way to get him to MN. No way was I going to let my sweet Vinny sit at Petsmart waiting for a home - he had one - with me and the family of rescued Paps. Vinny thinks he is a Papillon, but he feels he is much more handsome. He also gets to wear snappy sweaters, winter jammies and a toasty warm snowsuit for winter. Vinny is deaf, has a heart murmur and a fused spine. He is a sweet special boy who will be 15 in February.
	Maddy Maddy was rescued from a Missouri puppymill at the age of 5 weeks. She, her brother Lenny and 3 others went into foster care in hopes of eventually finding forever homes. She went to MN for foster care until she could be old enough for spaying. In April of last year, we iscovered Maddy's congential defect and a plea was put out to the Papillon Community for help. Within 2 weeks time, enough money was raised for Maddy to have first of its kind surgery in Madison, WI. The Papillon Community banded together and thru support, prayers and tears, she was given a new lease on life. Her progress was followed weekly on her website and everyone cheered when her 12 weeks of recoup was over. Unfortunately for Maddy, her bones grew after her surgery - giving her the additional risk of arthritis of the elbow and future surgeries. Her condition will need to be monitored for the rest of her life. There is a chance of future surgeries of course. The plate could break, the plate could grow to irritate her, you just never know if dysplasia will set in as she ages. She will need X-rays every 6 months and Joint Care and Vitamin C for life. Adoption inquiries had long since ceased and the interested people were either too far away, wanted her if and when she was "fixed" or not the right homes. I couldn't chance her future after we had come so far. It had been a year since she came to my home and in my home she belonged. I wanted to be sure Maddy remained a part of the Papillon Community - where people could rejoice at her triumph and feel proud of what they had been a part of. I made the decision that Maddy would remain with me forever. She is now 2 years old. She is my wild child who brings out the playfulness in each new rescue that passes through. She relentlessly plays with them til they are adopted...then gladly moves onto the next. She loves the girls and the boys...the oldsters and the puppies. Maddy loves everyone. I look back at last summer...at the pictures of her in her playpen with that cone on her head and splint on her leg. It seems so long ago...and just like yesterday. She is here with me and with her Mother, Betsy. She is loved and she loves back.
	Petrie Petrie's life started out good. A happy frolicking Papillon puppy born in a "show" home. Then she was sold to a novice show person (who soon became an ex-show person). How Petrie spent the next 9 years is a big question mark, but in late 1991 she came into Rescue. We're not sure how or when she lost her eye; she was blind when we got her. She was missing most of her fur and had a severe skin condition. Her mouth was also grossly neglected. During a dental she lost all of her teeth, and we also discovered a broken jaw that appears to have never been treated. I had just lost my Betsy, and my heart ached over this newest rescued dog. Petrie came to me as an intended foster, but quickly won her way into my heart and home. Her medical requirements were excessive, so I made the decision to assume responsibility for her, and that she would stay with me forever. She has a few other health issues that we're working thru, but Petrie's life is good now. She plays with toys and snuggles in soft beds. She is my sweet little muffin and will be loved the rest of her life.