Could it really be Happy? Could she actually be alive?
"Susan, you'll never believe what happened today in my writing class", My
mother had telephoned. "Karen asked if anyone knew of a loving home for
her friends' dog, 'Happy'. Her dear friend, Betsy, had
passed away and Karen was speaking out to try and find a good home. Happy
was Betsy's sole companion for the last 7 years. She was an old dog, about
12 years, and needed someone who could devote a lot of love to this special
dog."
It all started 10 years earlier. I was 23 years old and excited about my
first animal clinic job. The permanent resident was a sweet whippet beagle
mix named 'Happy', with expressive brown eyes.
Happy was acquired by Dr. Greg McDonald when animal control brought her in
for a blood draw.
The city was getting ready to put Happy to sleep and thought the clinic
would need a backup
of blood for emergency cases. Happy was proven to be unadoptable due to a
liability risk.
Her fearfulness towards people and uncertain history presented a high risk
for the city.
Dr. McDonald estimated Happy to be about 3 years old and was sadden at what
was about to take
place. As Dr. McDonald was getting ready to draw her blood, Happy
lifted her paw and placed it
on Dr. McDonald's arm. That little gesture caused Dr. McDonald's heart to
break -- it saved Happy's life. The
emergency clinic now had a
permanent donor and Happy had another chance at life.
I quickly feel in awe of Happy. Her sweet disposition and constant knudging
for pets,
caused my heart to simply break. I wanted to adopt Happy and to give her
the life that
she deserved, but the timing could not be any worse.
I was leaving for South East Asia in a few months and my future was
uncertain. Still, I decided it would be better to give Happy a few months
of home life instead of none at all.
When it came close to leaving on my trip, I tried to locate a new home for
Happy. With time running out, I decided that I had no choice but to give
her back to Dr. McDonald.
I came home 14 months later to some good news. Happy was adopted by one of
Dr. McDonald's clients. Dr. McDonald reported that everything was fine
and she went to a very caring home.
Happy lived with Betsy for 7 precious years. Betsy had just passed away,
and Happy was all alone -- and this sad news from my mother made tears roll
down my face.
My thoughts quickly came back to the present.
"Yes, Mom, I can't believe it. Where is Happy now?"
"She's at the animal shelter. Time is running out. She only has a few more
days."
I knew the chances were very slim that an old dog would be adopted. I hated
living in an apartment and seriously thought of moving in order to save
Happy again.
I drove to the shelter, hoping it wasn't too late. When I saw Happy, she
looked the same, only a little bit heavier and gray around the muzzle. She
was very cautious and scared at first, but after calling her name a few
times and letting her sniff my hand, she nudged my hand with her snout.
Happy had remembered me!
I quickly told the animal shelter staff to call Dr. McDonald.
He came to Happy's rescue twice, maybe he'd do so again. Sure enough, Dr.
McDonald was eager to adopt Happy again. I could not have asked for a more
perfect solution. Instead of using Happy as a blood donor, Dr. McDonald
took
Happy into his home for her remaining years.
I will always be thankful for Dr. McDonald for his generous heart for
giving Happy yet another chance at life.
