Operation Scarlet, Inc.

Chinese Shar-Pei Rescue of Lancaster, PA

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"2004"

June and July Peimates

June

Pei-Mate of the Month

China Petrisko

Hello.  My name is China and I have a pretty long story to tell.  I first arrived at O.S in 1999.  I came the whole way from Georgia.  I was pretty popular at the rescue.  Many people saw me on the web site and wanted to adopt me.  I am a very pretty girl as you can see and I have lots of wrinkles.  I also have a very sweet personality.  Needless to say, I was a hit.  Well, I was not at the rescue very long before I was chosen.  I thought all my worries were over.  Well, things were just fine for several years and then my new mom and dad separated.  My mom kept me with her for another year or so and then she had to bring me back to the rescue.  What I had hoped was my “forever home” lasted five years.  To make matters worse, I was returned to O.S. during the Valentine Open House.  There were lots of people at the rescue celebrating and having a good time and then I walked in looking very sad and forlorn.  They were laughing and suddenly they had frowns and looks of sadness on their faces.  I knew they were feeling very sorry for me.  My problems kept getting worse because I did not pass my vet exam with flying colors.  A lump was discovered on the inside of my leg which was removed right away.  The biopsy report came back saying that I had cancer. Well, it was not long before one of the members of O.S. called Dawn and said she would like to offer me a home.  Her name is Vicki Petrisko and what a nice lady she is.  She took me to her home where I was introduced to four other Shar-Pei that she rescued from O.S.  I met Dustin, Isabelle, Shong and Ping.  It did not take too long until all of us became friends.  Since then I have had several other cancer surgeries.  Vicki is known at O.S. as the expert working with canine cancer patients, so I know I am in good hands.  The most important thing to me right now is that I know I am in my “forever home” no matter how long that might be.  I know I am loved and I will never be discarded again.  That is all we canines ask for in this world – lots of love and a good home.  I am one lucky dog because I have both.  Thank you O.S. for being there for me not just one time but two times.  Now I am going to turn the story over to the person I love most in this world – my new mom, Vicki Petrisko. 

Here I am at the O.S. meeting. I was the special guest of the day! How exciting!!!
 

Boy, these meetings are kind of long, so I just stretched out and relaxed for a bit.

It was love at first sight...it's hard to put into words how much you love someone or how much of an impact they've had on your life in such a short time. That's my China.
I still look at her, shake my head and wonder how one dog can be so cute and yet so bad at the same time. She's got the sweetest personality; but boy can she be feisty. When we go to the vet--she gets all the attention. She starts raising a ruckus and the vet techs and receptionists all come out to ooh and aah over her like she's famous or something...and now I think she thinks she is. I'm pretty sure she thinks the vet clinic is the place where we go so she can socialize, get cookies, and pick up a greenie for the ride home...must be heaven...to say she's spoiled is an understatement.

She doesn't see too well so my husband calls her the hungry hippo because he says she looks like the hippos from the game when she plops down with her legs sprawled all over the place and lunges out for a cookie.

Favorite activities: eating cookies and going for walks

Favorite toy: whatever one of the other dogs has

Favorite food: food

I wouldn't give up one minute of the time we've had together, and for now China is happy, reasonably healthy, and loved by everyone who meets her.


- Vicki Petrisko

July

Pei-Mate of the Month

Shrek Gatchell

Hi! My name is Shrek. Lots of people have heard about me. I arrived at O.S. last August and came from Brooklyn, NY. The picture above shows a very handsome Pei that looks very, very happy – Right? Well, I was not so happy last year. I had too many wrinkles on the top of my head and needed a facelift to pull some of the heavy wrinkles back from my eyelids. I was really a sight for sore eyes after the surgery. I had lots of stitches and I had to wear one of those funny hats. Below are the two pictures of me when I did not look so good. O.S. really fixed me up and found a wonderful home for me. My mom really has a lot to tell you, so I am going to turn the rest of the story over to her.

Here I am the day I arrived at O.S. I was very skinny and my coat looked very bad. My head was pretty big, so I really looked top heavy. Some of the people said I looked like a bobble head.

Here I am after my surgery.  My new mom and dad called me Frankenshrek.

Shrek with his new mom and dad

Todd and Becky Gatchell

I first saw Shrek at O.S. in September 2003 at the yard sale. He had his e-collar on and his head down and his head was as big as a watermelon. I knew my husband,Todd had to see him. He showed up that day and he couldn't believe how big his head was. I instantly fell in love, knowing that our 150lb Rotty, Damian, probably wouldn't like a brother. So I thought that was the end.

Until the fall luncheon where Shrek was the guest of honor. O.S. was selling candy that day to raise money for Shrek’s facelift. That was the beginning of the end, Shrek was to be mine!!!! The very next day, Todd, Damian, and I went to the rescue to see if Dammy would like a brother. It was all up to him. It went okay, there was some growling and barking but no one got bit. Good sign. One week went by and that was all the talk at the Gatchell house, should we, shouldn't we, what about Dammy...The next Saturday we called Dawn and said it was a go, can we come get him NOW!!! Off we went to O.S. to get our new addition. Todd set the crate up in our living room, we went and got Shrek new food bowls, and toys, and a sheepskin, etc... Let the mayhem begin!!!

Three days after Shrek arrived "home", he was scheduled for his facelift surgery. His new mom was very anxious!!! Dawn & I took him to the clinic on Tuesday, and I picked him up Wednesday. His nickname became "FrankenShrek." His entire face was shaved except for his ears, and he had stitches on top of his head from ear to ear and another e-collar. I felt so sorry for the pitiful looking face.

It was actually a blessing in disguise. We had to make sure that nothing happened to his stitches, so Shrek had to stay in his crate for 10 more days. Plenty of time for Dammy to get used to him, hopefully. We would all go for walks around our neighborhood hoping Dammy & Shrek would bond. Todd was a nervous wreck about the two of them being "out" by themselves. One night I decided it was time and allowed them to be together. Here goes nothing!!! Some growling, nothing to get excited about. And that was all it took. Dammy had a brother to play with. After that, I'm not sure what Dammy did without Shrek around. They would play non-stop. Their favorite thing to do was to chase each other around the dining room table. First Dammy would chase Shrek than Shrek would chase Dammy. That was a sight to see, a 45lb Pei chasing a 150lb Rotty. Hours of entertainment!!!

It's been almost a year now since Shrek has joined our family and we are so happy he is with us!! He now weighs in at 60lbs and he really hasn't grown into his head at all. He will be 2 in October and he is still a puppy at heart. He makes us laugh everyday just by the way he looks at you. Dammy and Shrek are now the best of friends. Shrek is such a good boy, he is great with children, they just love his name. Shrek also attends alot of O.S. functions. I think its because he knows how to turn on the charm when it counts!! We want to thank everyone at O.S. who helped take care of Shrek before he got his forever home. You guys are the best!!!

For those of you who have met Dammy and know how wonderful he is, we wanted to let you know that he was diagnosed with bone cancer a few months ago. He is doing great and we know that Shrek has something to do with that. Dammy would like to thank O.S. for giving him the best little brother ever.

Todd, Becky and Damian Gatchell

 

P.S. I was also crowned "2004" King of Hearts for Valentines Day.

2001 PAST PEI MATE Click here to see previous Pei-Mate's

2002 PAST PEI MATE Click here to see previous Pei-Mate's

2003 PAST PEI MATE Click here to see previous Pei-Mate's

2004 PAST PEI MATE Click here to see previous Pei-Mate's

Operation Scarlet, Inc., P.O. Box 8463, Lancaster, PA 17604-8463
(717) 397-6362 voice, (717) 399-9220 fax