Inspired by Tigger

Recently I was given an assignment at work, one that I think I will share with the world :) I have to present a story about one of my animals. I have to share how my animal has inspired me. While I have many animals to choose from, I had to choose Tigger. Why Tigger over my other dogs/cats/horses?  That is what I hope to answer in telling his story. He is truly a once in a lifetime dog.

Taken five years ago, but still one of my favorites.

 I first met Tigger at my vets office, 6 1/2 years ago, when we had to go pick him up for the city shelter. I saw this cute little 2 month old puppy come bounding towards us. Except he kept circling left over and over as he struggled to make his way to us. He finally reached us and promptly peed all over our feet. The vet then gave us her diagnosis. He had brain damaged due to blunt force trauma which in turn caused aggression, lack of body control,  and partial blindness. Her recommendation was to euthanize him after his stray hold was up at the shelter. She had deemed him unsafe due to the aggression, but this little puppy was so happy to see us that we offered to foster him to see if there was hope. Two days later his fate was sealed...We were his forever home.  There was a slight chance that as he grew his brain could re-wire its self,  meaning we could see improvement. As time went on though it became apparent that he was never going to get better. The damage was permanent, and he was going to have to learn how to live in a body that would never do exactly what he wanted. We spent the next several months teaching him to walk straight and turn right to the best of his ability. We worked hard on fixing the aggression issues, but were never able to fix them. Tigger doesn't have self control like most dogs, so when he is angry he will lash out at what ever is in his path, us included. Even though Tigger has spent his whole life having a body that never worked quite right, he still looks at the world as a fun happy place. Over the years Tigger has inspired me in many ways. He has taught me to: stay calm in stressful situations,live in the moment, never give up hope, always forgive, and above all has inspired me to love unconditionally.

Tigger with Laurel. He loves that puppy!