For Our Very Special Friends ...
Every day we spend with our pets our lives are changed. We all have that "very special friend". Some have dogs, some have cats, others have horses or something exotic. No matter what they are, pets will always have a place in our lives and our hearts. Many pets go through their lives as ordinarily as companions and friends. Others seem extraordinary in their ability to sense our needs and in the depth they go to make our lives better.
Below are their stories. Some have good beginnings, others started rough, but all have made an impact on human lives.
"Otis Jones" (this story is not complete at this time - more details to come.)
| Otis is a "special needs" lab mix with a heart of gold. He always seems to find people in need of his love and friendship. | |
| His first home was with a woman named Rachel. They spent a few good years together, but she soon reached a time of needing to go into Hospice Care and was no longer able to care for him. He was then given to one of our staff members. As she lived in town, she was unable to keep him and began looking for a more permanent home where he would be loved and cared for. While with her, it was noticed that he had trouble with his hips and was diagnosed with severe hip dysplasia. Otis was also overweight. He was placed on a special diet to lower his weight and also to help his joints. Since he had physical disabilities, he would need a "special" home that could care for these needs. After a few months he found Jack, with whom he spent about one year before Jack passed away. | |
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This letter was received March 19, 2011, He is a special dog, and both Lin and I are sure that he helped prolong Jack's life, and served as a faithful companion. Jack passed away on Sunday morning, July 11th. He had a massive heart attack right on the front stoop while letting Otis out to do his morning duty. Jack had fibrosis of the lungs, and was terminal. When Jack didn't show up for Church, a couple of his friends tried to call. When there was no answer, they went to the house and found Jack on the front stoop, with Otis at his side protecting him. I had at least four people offer to take Otis, but I just couldn't give him up, so we brought him home to Georgia with us to live, and fully intend to "spoil" him with love and toys. Since both of our boys are grown and gone, Sadie and Otis are now are "kids". Thanks Again, Steve & Linda |
"Rex"
| Rex was born in May
2009. Little did he know what life held for him as he grew.
He found a home with Al Corte in Glencoe, AR where he was
allowed to thrive with his new family. This is only the
beginning, no one knows who he will help or how many lives
he may save. Rex is training to be an Arkansas Search and
Rescue Dog. In January 2011 he was with his family as they were playing baseball. For a reason known only to him, whether going for the ball or maybe the bat, he jumped into the path of the baseball bat and took the full impact of the blow directly in his mouth. The resulting injury could have ended his career before it ever began. He had fractured both of his upper canines. For a rescue dog, there is no way to help pull a person to safety without full use of their mouth. Rex's owners checked around with their local veterinarians to see what could be done. They were told many times that the teeth would need to be removed and that the dog's career was over. Finally, they called us at the Animal Clinic of West Plains. Dr. Ulmanis explained that, with the help of a local dentist (Dr. Gregory Temple), it was possible to do a root canal on both canines and to then create special crowns that would substitute for the missing teeth. |
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The repairs on his teeth were completed in February 2011, and Rex is as bouncy and playful as ever. He doesn't even realize how intimidating he looks when he smiles with his shiny silver canines. He's just happy to do his job.
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| Check out the rest of the pictures of the dental procedure in our photo gallery. | ||||
If you know of one of these special friends, please send us their story at anclwp@gmail.com. We may not post all stories that we receive, but we appreciate hearing from everyone.
