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More powerful than a locomotive...able to leap into your lap in a single bound...He's obnoxious, he's lovable, he's obstinate, he's cuddly, he's a food processor, he's a walking muddy footprint, he's 100% BEAGLE and we love him for it. Did we mention he's obnoxious? Doodles was born on May 17th, 1995. He enjoyed excellent, though increasingly tubby health for about 6 years. Then, while romping in the snow on New Years Eve '00-'01, he suddenly began yelping and limping. By the next morning he was paralyzed from the middle of his back, back. A snowy drive to the emergency vet on New Years Day 2001 revealed a ruptured disc crushing his spinal cord. After unsuccessful steroid treatment overnight, I authorized back surgery ($2400!). Doodles spent 10 days in the hospital intensive care, still paralyzed. When he finally regained some bladder control, he was discharged to continue recovery at home. I steeled myself for months of towel walking out in the snow and carrying Doodles up and down the stairs. On the third morning home, Doodles stirred and I woke up to take him outside. While fumbling for my boots and coat, Doodles staggered and stumbled out the dog door into the snow and hasn't slowed down since. He's back to his old cannonball self and 25 lbs lighter, too. My heart has perhaps never been as heavy as it is at this moment. |
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