Heartache

MHB~

The events of the past couple of months have been quite unexpected for this little dog named Heidi. Heidi is my parents' dog, adopted by my brother and I at the Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania Humane Society as a Christmas gift in 1998. Since then, she has been a loyal companion to my parents as they moved from Pennsylvania to California. Heidi accompanied them excitedly as they subsequently took up a second residence in Arizona. She is a sweet and quiet dog, barking only once a month or less, and only when great joy overcomes her! She always has a delighted tail wag for her visitors and an interested eye on whatever is occurring in her midst. She is gentle with children and curious about cats and other dogs. Everywhere she goes, people fall in love with her because of her good nature.

Heidi has undergone several surgeries over the past few months to remove grade II Mast Cell tumors which presented on her forearm and chest. Shortly thereafter, she developed a severe reaction to the prednisone that she was given by the oncologist in hopes of taming the mast cells. Her blood sugar levels are elevated, her liver enzymes have skyrocketed, but worst of all, Heidi has nearly completely lost the use of her hind legs. My parents need to carry Heidi anywhere she needs to go, and she even needs assistance in going to the bathroom as she cannot stand on her own.

As a person who cares deeply for this sweet dog, I am devastated in seeing Heidi so helpless. As a doctor, my mind races! Is it a cord injury? A neuropathy? Myopathy? Rhabdomyolysis? Is this all the result of the steroids or the blood glucose levels in the 600s which left her suffering in a state of diabetic ketoacidosis? But as she lays on the ground completely dependent on others in having her most basic needs met, and likely wondering what in the world happened to her over the past few weeks, I realize that the answers are best left up to those entrusted with her medical care. What she really needs now from the rest of us is comfort and love and prayers for a quick recovery.

I am drawn once again to the words of a great hero for animals and for all living creatures. . .

A PRAYER FOR ANIMALS

Hear our humble prayer,
O God,
for our friends, the animals,
especially for those who are suffering;
for any that are lost or deserted
or frightened or hungry.

We entreat for them all
Thy mercy and pity,
and for those who deal with them,
we ask a heart of compassion
and gentle hands and kindly words.

Make us, ourselves,
to be true friends to animals
and so to share
the blessings
of the merciful

~A.S.