One year ago almost to the day, a litter of Golden Retriever puppies were born.  The birth was normal and uneventful but one of the pups had some odd deformities.  Born with a nub of a tail shifted off near his left rear leg that was slightly stunted.  His underside was open from near his rectal area up to his chest cavity and he didn’t have a penis, it was also learned later that he only had one kidney.  At around one month of age I was contacted and the scenario was straight forward, “Can he safely be closed up and his urination controlled so he wouldn’t have constant infections?”  The alternative was to have him humanely put to sleep for his life would not be a joyous one and most likely be a short one.
It seemed like an impossible task but I was determined to take it on and the rest is history.
At first I named him “Lil Bear” because that’s what he reminded me of; later his name was changed to “Mojo” because he certainly was full of it.  Many tests and operations were done as he grew and twice it looked as if nothing else could be done and his life was near an end.
Through it all Mojo was amassing the love and prayers of many who either cared for him or heard of him.  He had an infectious joy of life that made a person smile from their heart.
This was my last email from Jessica Neefe, his foster mom at Adopt a Golden in Knoxville, Tennessee:
“He’s doing very well and is going to his new home on his birthday, June 16th.  He’s going to Denver where he has a two year old brother he can romp and play with.  He has grown taller and thinned out a little; he looks less like a puppy and more like a big dog now. J  He is only wearing diapers at night and leaks sometimes.  He gets along great with my dogs and is one of the sweetest boys in the whole world.  I love him so much.  Jess.”
Mojo has been a gift from God that has spread more love in one year than most people can in a lifetime.
Happy Birthday my dear little friend, it has been an honor and a privilege to know you.
Thanks for listening.