By Jarissa Aquinde, Positively Woof Rescue and Adoption Story Editor 
It’s very difficult for me to write about or even think about the first year of Karma’s life. I know it must have been hell for her. She was terribly abused, was extremely malnourished, her teeth were all broken and rotten and she had a fractured spine. She has difficulty walking and is both bowel and urinary incontinent, which the vets thought may be a result of her spinal injury. Her rescuer, Elise from Gosford Dog Paws said “she came from a horrid situation of being chained up and was emaciated her whole life.” The vets have done x rays, and DNA tests etc, and the vets have concluded that her condition will never change. Although the vets she had seen couldn’t say for certain why she had such difficulty walking, they also speculated it could be cerebellar hypoplasia, which can be caused by extreme malnutrition. Or it could simply be a brain injury sustained at birth or from her abuser. Elise said “It is kind of like cerebral palsy in a dog. But, she has improved so much, when we first got her in she couldn’t stand or even lift her head. We have done all the tests necessary for her and this hasn’t affected the way of her being able to lead a normal, happy and pain free life.”
And OH how happy she is! She greets everyone she meets with such joy! It is simply amazing that she has found room in her heart to forgive the human race for what has happened to her. Her walking has improved SO MUCH in the nearly three years since her rescue. She still grows stronger and stronger and is such an inspiration for her “never give up” attitude. I have never had a Staffy / Pitty before and wasn’t sure what to expect to be honest. Now, I can’t ever imagine having any other type of dog. Her personality is pure love and exuberance. She is a snuggle bunny and insists (yup, insists) that she sleep either on me or touching me in some way. She is obsessed with children and will play with them until she collapses. She has an unstoppable licker. If you don’t like dog kisses, stay away from a staffy! She’s cheeky and so energetic and playful – at nearly four years old people she first meets always think she is still a puppy! (though her weeble wobble walk may have something to do with this J ) I am such a better person for Karma being in my life and teaching me such strong lessons in love, determination, forgiveness and patience.
My life has been filled with so much love since bringing Karma home that I was inspired to do whatever I could to help other rescue dogs (especially the Pit Bull type dogs that I have fallen in love with) that I desperately wanted to do something to make a difference. I came up with an idea for a “Recycled Clothes for Rescue Dogs” program early this year that I call Embracing Karma. I take donated pre-loved bandanas, clothes, and costumes and give them to shelters for use when photographing dogs for adoption (like in the photos below). Every single additional like or share on social media of a shelter dog is just one more chance it has to find it’s forever home. As the pounds are saturated over here in Australia, the staffy breeds are often the first to be placed on a kill list, and anything I can do to save even one single life will be worth the effort. Since I started our Embracing Karma project, we’ve donated to numerous pounds, shelters and rescue organizations, as well as donating over thirty dog jackets and blankets to the homeless this last winter. I have been overwhelmed by the generosity of people who have donated to us, and never could have imagined how many have “embraced” my idea and helped our cause and I am so extremely thankful.” – Karma’s forever mom, Steph
Follow beautiful and brave Karma on Instagram @embracingkarma, and learn more about the Embracing Karma Project on her website http://embracingkarma.com
>>Click to read stories from Pit Bull Awareness Month 2016!
