Tehachapi News

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Precious, a seven year old three and a half pound Yorkie came to me about a month ago. Her owner had trouble keeping her safe in her yard because she would get out. I brought her into the Save Tehachapi's Orphaned Pets (S.T.O.P.) dog adoption program and immediately found a home for her.

Pre-surgical blood tests for spaying her indicated that she was in the beginning stages of kidney disease and her adoption fell through.

I debated on what to do and decided to get the word out to the community and on petfinder.com about this "special needs" little dog. The response was overwhelming. At least 10 Tehachapi residents called to adopt her knowing full well her condition. Others out of the area, as far as San Diego and Walnut Grove, called as well. The fact that she won't live more than a couple of years wasn't a factor for any of those people. That fact that they have to give her extra care as she goes into her decline wasn't a factor either. Not even high vet bills scared them away. They wanted to help, wanted to give this little girl their love for the years she has left.

It wasn't easy choosing from all the applicants, but I finally decided and Precious has a new home and owner, who has experienced kidney disease in a dog before and knows what she's up against.

The networking for Precious brought out the very best in people: one applicant is adopting another "special needs" dog in my care; several people agreed to foster pets and one incredibly generous Tehachapi couple gave S.T.O.P. a donation that brought tears to my eyes.

All for the love of one little dog.

– Chelley Kitzmiller
S.T.O.P. President