Pommy Mommy of the Week: Vivian White

I help coordinate a cultural exchange program between my Jewish Community in Tulsa and The Jewish Agency for Israel in Jerusalem. I work from home most of the time but travel to different places in the USA and Israel several times a year

I’m a retired Landscape Architect and Nursery owner by profession.

I have physical disabilities which qualify me to have a service animal with me at all times. Little Bear has been certified as a service animal and goes everywhere I go. Our two other Poms are at home with the family when I travel.

Little Bear was an irresistible 2 1/2 lb Bear Faced Pomeranian when we met him. He and his “brother” were owned by a college student who worked full time and had no previous experience having an animal of any kind. We took Little Bear’s “brother” to socialize him and find him a forever home. We did, but the woman we found could no longer care for him… so we took him in.  We baby sat Little Bear often when his Pommy Parent was out of town. 

Little Bear was sick a lot, wouldn’t eat and had no energy. During one of his visits we learned that he had two sets of teeth which caused both sets to be deformed, causing him not to chew properly. His dental problems also caused severe gum infections which eventually resulted in having most of his teeth extracted. Then we come to find out that his new Pommy Parent didn’t have the money or time to care for him and ask us to take him.

We already had two Poms , one that we rescued from an abusive situation and another that we re-homed from Little Bear’s original owner. Both of our dogs came to us with expensive health issues. We didn’t feel we could afford to properly care for another one… however, we had already spent a fortune on Little Bear’s medical care and he needed us! Surely we would not have to spend that much more to maintain him. By then he was very attached to me… and I to him. I could not say no… so we became a three Pom family.

Little Bear thrived under our supervision and gained over two pounds. He now weighs almost 5 pounds. I took him everywhere with me because he was sick and he wanted to be with me 24/7. When he was about 3 yrs old and very healthy I noticed that he began to tune in to my physical disabilities and alert me of my needs. He alerts me when emergency vehicles are approaching long before my hearing deficit allowed me to hear them. If we are in a hotel and there are unusual noises or someone even as much as touches the door after it has been locked for the night he wakes me. I have a sleep disorder and have a to use a C-Pap Machine. Sometimes without knowing, I have gone to sleep without attaching it and Little Bear is right there waking me up.  

It’s a little scary sometimes because the C-Pap machine can malfunction during a storm… but Little Bear is right there making sure I’m alright. If I stop breathing or struggle to breath he wakes me. He also alerts me if my sugar level becomes jeopardized. I have had stomach surgery and become dehydrated very quickly if I’m not careful. He recognizes this and alerts me. Due to his incredible sensitivity and insight of my needs he became a certified service animal. 

After awhile we had Little Bear, he found a little friend in the back yard. We have 3 Poms so you would think he would bond with one of them… but, no.  Little Bear found a squirrel playmate. They run and play all the time he is outside. The squirrel runs on top of the wooden fence with Little Bear hard after him from the ground trying his darnedest to get him. When the squirrel leaps over to the big Oak tree… Little Bear thinks he can climb the tree like the squirrel does… Yea, he tries and tries to climb that tree until he is totally exhausted… he runs for a drink of water and starts the whole process all over again. If the squirrel isn’t out, Little Bear goes running all over the yard whining and looking for him. It’s so hilarious to watch.

Our Poms are all sweet, lovable, funny and mischievous They love to snuggle, go for rides, do tricks and strive to please. I love them dearly and can not imagine being without any of them. There is something different and magical about Little Bear… It seems as though he spends every moment loving me and trying to repay me for saving him when he was a very sick little baby.

Little Bear is full of energy very well trained and a regal gentleman at all times. He participated in my granddaughters wedding in California last summer. We just returned from a Caribbean Cruise were he was the Star of the ship. Everyone loved him and of course he loved the attention. Silver shop owners in Cosmuel gifted him silver charms to wear with his service animal tags. 

I’ve never met a Pom that I didn’t love but I think Little Bear is truly one of a kind… I can’t imagine not being a Pommy Mommy. Thank you Little Bear for reminding me everyday how blessed I am.