THE NEW BARKER 51 www.TheNewBarker.com As a tri-pawd dog, Smudge drew a lot of questions from curious pet lovers, which led to the creation of LoveyLoaves in 2010. “We were meeting people in similar situations who told us they couldn’t afford surgery, or who thought their only option was either humane euthanasia or to surrender the dogs to the shelter,” said Cheri. The rescue group’s focus is on smaller dogs, primarily because it is difficult to find foster homes for larger special needs dogs. While LoveyLoaves provides a sanctuary for “specially- abled” dogs, they have also become a source for families who need help with their special-needs dogs. “When it comes to a family that’s considering surrendering their dog, my goal is to try to educate them and provide the resources necessary to keep them together,” said Cheri Cheri and her husband have become affectionately known as “the cart people” for their work with fitting dogs for custom- designed carts. She works with Eddie’sWheels for Pets. Many of the dogs they work with are Dachshunds, a breed most at-risk to developing intervertebral disc disease (IVDD).The condition affects about 25 percent of Doxies as well as some other breeds, especially those with longer backs. IVDD occurs when the discs between vertebrae deteriorate and become susceptible to bulging or bursting, especially with hard impacts such as jumping off a couch, stairs or rough play. While some may question saving the life of a special needs dog - the work and the money it may take, Cheri looks at this way:“When it comes to savings dogs’ lives, you’re either in it or you’re not. Every single one of the dogs we’ve helped has a larg- er than life personality. I look at their potential quality of life. The money is irrelevant in my opinion.” More often than not, Cheri is looking at a three to four hundred dollar cart option as the best solution, versus thousands in surgery. But, the reality is, once in a cart, dogs are in it for the rest of their lives. “Most of the dogs are not rehabilitative,” said Cheri.“And,most cart babies don’t have use of their bladder and bowels. So, they need to be expressed several times during a 24 hour period.” Granted, that’s not an easy lifelong proposition for many people and that’s where the sanctuary comes into play.“I don’t think twice about taking care of them. It is not a burden to me, and I consider it an honor.We also have some very dedicated fosters who understand the commitment and foster over and over. They continue to open their hearts and their homes to help us.” Each dog in Cheri’s care as a permanent foster (she can only take up to 25 dogs at a time) has a routine.“I get up at five in the morning. My husband and I carry everybody downstairs. After their bladders are expressed, we put them in their carts for up to five hours.They’re fed and exercised.They come out of their carts at around noon to be expressed again.” Continued g