NOW PLAYING: MISE EIRE
Sean O'Riada

ZAIRA (f/k/a VIOLETTE) AT HOME IN SEATTLE WITH MARYBETH RICKEL 27 JULY 2006
MaryBeth writes: I met Loren Potter in Ellensburg, Washington to pick up this sweet little girl. She slept all the way back to her new foster home, which was about 2-1/2 hours away.
Look how skinny!	Her new home is on five acres out in the country in the little town of Four Lakes. She wasn't quite sure what to do with all this space and just kept looking up at me. She feels like she is nothing but fur & bones. It just breaks your heart.
She was introduced to all her new foster brothers & sisters - all ELEVEN of them! She took it all in stride until she met the Greyhound. She took the biggest loop to get away from her - it was pretty cute. She is learning how to go up & down the stairs!	I'm a BIG girl now!
The first thing we did was sit down to figure out a Gaelic name that would fit her personality. We decided on Zaira (Zah-ruh) which means "Princess". She really should be Zaira Wiggle Butt because that is all she does! It is like her spine is a rubber band. Absolutely adorable! On her second day here, Zaira went to the vet; we found out she has a terrible UTI and yeast & bacteria in both ears. She is on three medications for the next two weeks. Zaira was a little stinky but because she was recently spayed, she cannot be bathed. So I bought some waterless shampoo and that made a HUGE difference. It is really sad - but the poor little dogs that we rescue from puppy mills usually have a very bad odor and it can take numerous baths before they are rid of the smell. She has a date with the groomer on Monday to get a new "do". After her "bath", I sat down with her and spent 3-1/2 hours brushing her with a Mars Coat to remove all of the mats from her hair. What you are seeing is ALL the hair that was removed from her! Yes - it all came from that little dog. Now not only can we feel her spine and ribs but we can see them. You can order one of these great brushes from the CRUSA website. They are the best thing ever! BEFORE, as Violette
I laughed so hard when I saw all my fur! It could be another dog!	I am so embarrassed!
Zaira wants to be held all the time and is quite frantic if I am not in her line of vision. She begins shaking if she is left alone. She is always looking up at me and if I am standing in the garden she will circle me like she is a shark - all the while staring up at me.	PLEASE pick me up!
Remember I am a Princess and there are days my feet SHOULD not touch the ground!	Then there are times when she really acts like a little Princess and insists on being carried everywhere!
Zaira is a beautiful little girl; we are looking forward to fattening her up and helping her spread her wings. We are excited for the day when she is not afraid to run & play with the other dogs. She is loving and playful with us - but acts timid around the other dogs. Aren't I beautiful? On 1 August comes the news: How exciting! Little Zaira actually did her first play bow since she has been here and she even played for a bit with one of the other dogs. It was really adorable! What a big step for her. She has always just stood there and shook when she was around the other dogs! YEAH for Zaira! Thank goodness Murphy is such a sweet dog with the little ones!

CONTINUE WITH THE MISSOURI 6 HERE