Adventures of Pumpkin And Friends

The Story Of Parr

So this is very different  from the way I usually  tell backstories but I  think it works very well especially  for these two characters  anyways I hope you enjoy if you do vote and comment 💖

Parr is a survivor. That is what she is known for, that and having only three legs, but that goes hand in hand. This is Parr's story of survival, and hopefully  it will inspire you as it has inspired  me.

Parr lived on the streets of New York City. A burly pup with brindle fur and a mess of long legs most likely  of a pit bull or Staffordshire Terrier descent. The pup was pure at the time and didn't  know the problems the world held for her.

She roamed the streets daily  looking  for food, greeting other homeless mutts on the way. She was well respected even as a pup because  of the way she looked. No one dared to mess with one of Pit Bull descent in fear of getting  injured. 

At a  young age Parr knew the way of the street, the way to scavenge, the way of survival, but there is one thing  the streets  hadn't  prepared  her for… cars

Cars were bad news for strays and what killed the strays the most. Cars are fast and big and were a strays worse enemy even worse than a dog catcher  at times. Cars could hurt them badly.

Parr was never that worried about  it though.  knew all the back alleys which no car dared to drive through. Parr mostly kept to herself while some strays created a pack she much rather just took care of herself. She didn't  need anyone nor did anyone want her.

You may be asking, "What happened  to her family," and neither of us have an exact answer. Parr didn't  remember her family. As long as she can remember  there was no one. You also may be asking,  "What happened to Parr's amputated leg and how I ever found  her." Well let me tell you.

I met Parr  for the first time years ago and it was a complete  accident  on both of our ends, or maybe it was fate that a struggling actress and a surviving mutt met. She still had four legs back then and had run into me while I was training  for a few races on that Friday. 

At the time I was  annoyed  because  she messed up my new record, and she was awfully  aloof and just growled at me before  running  off in the opposite direction. She wanted nothing  to do with me and I wanted nothing  to do with her. That would change though once we met again about a year later.

Parr's leg was amputated  about two years ago now after she got hit straight on by a car who wasn't  obeying  traffic laws. In this accident  she nearly lost her life from the impact and was only given a thirty percent chance of survival. At the time I was doing  my usual jog around  that part of the city before  a show happening  two hours later.

The car did not stop at all at feeling the bump and continued  going  leaving Parr left lying on the ground barely moving. When i tell you I was traumatized I was not kidding.  In New York we basically coexist with the stray animal's yet no one stopped to help this poor pup still so young with a long life ahead of her.

Despite it only being my second show of my new job I  knew I  couldn't  just leave her there I just couldn't. I ran over to where she was once making sure  the road was clear and she first snapped at me with what strength  she had. You could tell her right front paw was bad. It was twisted in an impossible direction. She had quite a few cuts  that looked bad.
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She was really too weak to put up much of a fight as I tried to figure out what to do with her. My car was a mile away. She wouldn't  have lasted that long, but carrying  her might have injured her worse. I quickly decided  to call a friend who I knew would be close by and carried the dog gently  to the sidewalk where I started putting pressure on the wounds. 

My friend found me pretty quickly and with an exasperated scoff drove us to the nearest animal hospital where with one look they immediately  took her in.

After filling out the forms that I could, they gave me some bad news. Some of her ribs were broken, her leg was beyond repair and it wasn't  likely she'd survive. They only gave her a thirty percent chance of living, and told me it would be pricey to do the surgery  she would need.

I of course agreed in a heartbeat for this poor pup to get a second chance. It took hours and I eventually  had to leave for a bit just to get out. Staying in one place for a long while was not a strong suit of mine. 

About an hour later (after a run and a shower along with grabbing  my car they called me saying the surgery  was successful and now she just had to make it through  recovery  after that she would be sent to a shelter where she would hopefully find a loving home.

And after paying the lengthy bill I went back to my life, but the pup never left my mind. I would have adored taking her home right then, but I  did not have a big enough  apartment and dogs, especially  one who looks like a pit bull. She wasn't  planning on it either; she had no supplies whatsoever.

Fast forward to July when Broadway Barks starts. The actors and I that work on the same Broadway  show had to be at this fundraiser  and we were exhausted  (they always seem to do it after a two show day.) What I wasn't  expecting  was meeting  the same pup again. This time only with three legs, and apparent  aggression issues. 

We met eyes and immediately  I knew I couldn't  leave her again. I was working on moving to a bigger apartment  now that I had a permanent  job, and I had bought stuff for a dog and she was the perfect one. So I signed the forms and paid the minimum. The shelter handler was so surprised  about how loving she was towards me telling me, "She's  usually  very aggressive, you two must truly be mean to be." 

I of course nod in agreement  watching as the one year old tripawd happily followed behind me looking  as if saying, "It took you long enough lady!" Causing me to chuckle a bit.

"What's  your name survivor?" I ask not wanting  to name a dog that may already have a name. The dog just shrugs and I smile. I knew the perfect name. "How about Parr?" I ask and the pup cocks her head. "Named after Catherine  Parr, one of Henry VIII wives and an inspiring female survivor. You remind  me about what we learned about her in History and in the Broadway play. You are a survivor pup." I told her and she nods, Parr was now my dog and boy was it the greatest  choice in the world. Not only do I have a loyal and loving companion,  but she also  enjoys  running/ racing like me.

Parr is very special  dog as all of you can see and we thank you for the continued support even two years later as we run, dance and sing together. See everyone for our next story time.

Once Cathy  was done writing  a little story for the children at the library  that she read to every week. She thenlooked at Parr sleeping  at her feet and smiled. Parr was her survivor and she would never be put in that situation  again.

Parr meant the world to Cathy, and Cathy meant the world to Parr. Together they would continue to tell Parr's story