Georgie, Our Little Hero by John and Vicki Manker / Mom and Dad

I would like to tell you about the BEST dog in the world. That is Georgie Manker. Born in a puppy mill in Florida and lived there for 6 years before his rescue. He was fostered in Florida and then flew to Wisconsin to Maltese Rescue. He was there for several surgeries. You see Georgie did not have the use of any of his legs. Was it a birth defect or what happened? We will never know for sure. What we do know is that he had the will to live and to cope with whatever came his way. The look in his eyes was
one of love and understanding.

He had to have all four of his little feet and part of his legs amputated in order to become mobile. He could not keep dragging those little legs so after many consultations it was decided that this was the only way he could get around. He had his neuter surgery, an extensive dental and two surgeries of the amputations. Each time he responded with the will to live and the ability to love those that helped him. After he recovered he was on a plane from Wisconsin to BWI airport to meet his forever family, John and Vicki.

We met the plane with Georgie and his escort Sarah. When we unzipped the travel bag there was the most beautiful white fluffy Maltese with huge black eyes. We lifted him out and he wagged his tail. It was love at first sight for all three of us. We made the trip home to New Freedom, Pennsylvania. He rode well in the car on my lap and just kept looking and wagging his tail. I looked at the little legs that were not quite healed yet. I had tears in my eyes at what this dear little boy went through in his little life. I saw no signs of trauma or pity on his part. When we got home he met his Maltese and Yorkie brothers and sisters.

He loved them all and they were happy to have him be a family member. We took him right to the vet as he had a raspy sound and needed some medicines to calm his trachea. He quickly adjusted to his new home. He was able to move nicely on his little “stubbies”. When on soft surfaces he used his teeth to speed him along by pulling on the blankets. He was a true inspiration to all that met him and some that only saw pictures of him. One person put his picture on her refrigerator to inspire her during
a health crisis in her life.

His foster mom summed up her feelings for him–“Georgie could teach the world that no matter how devastating our struggles, disappointments and troubles are, life is worth living. He taught me that we do not control everything that happens to us in this life, but we can control how we respond and his response made me believe in the small blessings and the big ones too.” These things are just two of many that people told me of how much impact that Georgie had on their lives. One look at his eyes and all you could see was love and life! Thus the start of the great love between a wonderful little dog and his human parents.

Oh how much fun he had with us and his Maltese and Yorkie brothers and sisters. He found his place in bed between our pillows. Every night he would watch you and just be so content. When morning came he was ready to start each day. He would lick your cheeks to be sure you were awake and ready to get moving. His Dad was retired and so someone was home almost all the time. He played with his toys in his pop up tent that was always in the room with us, lounged on he sofa in his safe spot surrounded with pillows so he would not fall or ride in his doggie stroller. If we needed to go away for a couple hours he was in his playpen with his bed, toys, bowls and pee pee pads. He was 100% house trained and always barked for you to take him to his pad if he was not near them. He squeaked his toys all the time and put his blue stuffed duck in his water bowl to swim. We would say, hey Georgie is he swimming and he would look at us and actually smile. He loved visitors and to go to the groomer and the vet and visit neighbors.

He had a job at every meal time. I would get the dog bowls out and say sound the supper alarm Georgie and he would squeak his toys and the other dogs would come knowing it was time to eat. His tail would wag all the time he was squeaking those toys. We have never had a little dog so loving and fun. You would never know that he had any limitations. He lived life to the fullest with joy and fun and no feeling sorry for himself. He figured out a way to do everything that needed to be done without any frustrations. It was with joy that he lived every day and it was with gratitude that we had him in or lives. On Oct. 24 his raspy voice started like it had several times over the years. Some medicine and rest and he was better. This time we took him to the vet to be sure it was trachea again. It was so
we continued with the meds.

He did not want to eat that evening so I gave him some chicken broth and his meds. He slept well on the sofa and we stayed down stairs rather than waking him to go up. At a little after 4 am he got awake and threw up. We cleaned his face and I walked him round and took him out in the air hoping he might feel a little better. He began to pant and something did no seem right so we decided to take him to the ER. I ran up to put on a robe and my husband was holding him. He said hurry. I came running down and he was gone. He said he gagged a little and looked at him and then his little head went down and we were pretty sure he was gone. We took him to the ER and they checked him to be sure. With complete shock we brought our little boy home and placed him in his bed.

Crying and in shock we tried to make sense of what happened. We are pretty sure his trachea collapsed completely and in seconds he was gone. He had been fine several times when he had this but this time it was all over. How do you get through the loss of a little boy that was the love of your life? I just don’t know.

We feel a huge loss that we will never get over. We know that we have a bond with him that will never be broken, a life that will never be forgotten. He is buried in the backyard. I would love the world to know the horrible things this little boy went through and never complained but kept trying. I think he knew there was a forever home out there for him and he waited patiently and endured so much to get here.

For 6 years of no quality of life he waited and he waited and finally it happened. He was home with his Mom and Dad like he always in his heart knew would happen. He had faith in people and love in his heart. I think that Georgie would like to be remembered for his love of life and I think if he could say something to you would say–PLEASE ADOPT A RESCUE OR SHELTER DOG. WE HAVE SO MUCH
TO OFFER AND SO LITTLE TIME.

I don’t think anyone can understand the love and trust a rescue can give you until you experience it for yourself. You take a broken little animal and give them hope once again that people are good. Georgie always knew that. When his life was spared and help was given to him he returned that favor with love and joy. The sadness is the 6 years he lived in terrible conditions in a puppy mill. The triumph was that he made the best of it and got that forever home.

His last 3 years and 2 months on this earth were pure joy for all of us. He is forever in or hearts and his life was so meaningful to so many. We had the great honor of being Georgie’s Mom and Dad an experience I would not have missed for the world. The grief we are experiencing now will pass with time and the true joy of our little super hero will always be in our hearts. He looks down on us now and we know he is still with us if only in our hearts. I know he is running with new little feet and legs.
We will meet again little Georgie.

 

Love never dies,