Regular readers of this site already know that Holly Golightly is my dog, and I love her more than anything. But she was close to death recently, and I cried like a baby and found that it helps a lot!
My dear mother passed away years ago, and she loved me more than anyone I have known, except for my Grandma Puffer (mom’s mother). Both were very religious, and I can honestly say I never heard either use profanity!
Ma had a wonderful sense of humor and loved to laugh at even the silliest joke. And one of the many jokes she would tell was this one:
Someone asked Captain Kidd where his buccaneers were.
The captain replied: “Under my buckin’ hat!”
Beulah St. Andrews
I do not know if she was the actual author of the joke, but mom sure loved it.
I also remember Annette telling Ma, along the same line: “Aw, go buck a fuffalo!”
But Danny, what does that have to do with Holly Golightly?
Relax, Spanky, and I will explain.
ADOPTING HOLLY IN 2008
About seventeen years ago, I was staying in Toronto for a month in a rented condo downtown, and a couple I met had a Coton de Tulear dog named Buddy. I was impressed at how friendly Buddy was, and I looked forward to seeing him because I missed my Beau, a Pomeranian dog who passed away the year before.
I have had several dogs in my adult life, including a Samoyed, French Poodle, German Shepherd, and three Pomeranians, and I missed having a man’s best friend at my home in Langley, BC.
Holly will be seventeen years old on November 17, 2022, and I have been closer to her than any of my other dogs – all of whom I deeply loved. In dog years, she is the equivalent of being over 110 years old; in human years.
She was with me a few years after I retired and was great company for me – especially in the summer of 2009 when I was diagnosed with stage 3 throat cancer and given a 40% chance of surviving.
CANCER AND WRITING A BLOG
The radiation and chemotherapy treatments were excruciating, and I came close to passing during my last week of treatment in October 2009.
I began to write my blog about eighteen months after my cancer treatments ended.
Nobody in my family knew about my cancer because they all live in southern Ontario. At the time, my dear mom was in a hospital in Toronto after suffering her second stroke – and the news of my illness would have been too much for her ailing heart.
Holly often laid on my chest and neck while on the couch during my treatment and recovery. She could sense where my boo-boo was located and was trying to comfort me!
She did that daily for several weeks, but Holly has never laid on my chest since the worst of my recovery period was over in early 2010.
Here are photos of Holly Golightly and me during my throat cancer treatments and recovery period:
However, a few years ago, Holly became ill and was diagnosed with Cushing’s Disease – a form of cancer in dogs and humans – and I have been trying to nurse her with love and attention.
Sometimes, while holding her, I cry at the thought of her dying – and can only imagine what parents go through having a terminally-ill child.
Holly was also experiencing kidney problems and is on several medications she takes daily.
She is also nearly deaf and has trouble with her vision, probably because of her age.
ALL CREATURES ANIMAL HOSPITAL
On November 2nd, Holly began to stumble when walking, falling over, and having difficulty standing independently.
I had never seen her like this before and knew it had to be very serious.
Seeing her like this made me cry like a baby because I knew she might not survive this latest health problem, and I did not want to see her in pain or suffering.
I stayed awake all night with her and held her in my arms while sobbing at the thought of her dying.
When the office opened, we rushed her to see Dr. Andersen at the All Creatures Animal Hospital at 7:00 AM.
I have used several veterinarians over the past 50 years, but none compare to Dr. Andersen – who I believe is the most dedicated and qualified veterinarian on the planet.
When the doctor examined Holly, I feared the worst and sobbed uncontrollably.
Fortunately, Annette was with me and did most of the talking on my behalf.
After examining Holly, Dr. Andersen said her problem was due to a nasty ear infection and gave her a couple of injections of meds and gave us a prescription for her to be given orally twice a day – in addition to the other meds she is taking for the Cushing’s Disease and her kidney problem.
That was last Tuesday, and the doctor said he would be away for the weekend but gave us the name of an animal hospital in Vancouver in case of emergency.
On Wednesday, we tried to give Holly the meds with food, per the doctor’s instructions, but Holly was not interested in food. So, I decided to provide her with the liquid medication anyway, but it made her sick, and she brought it all up.
By Friday evening, Holly had not eaten anything for three days and did not appear to be responding to the medication, so I was ready to take her to the animal hospital in Vancouver to have her put to sleep peacefully.
Then a miracle of sorts happened – she ate some food!
I decided to wait until Saturday morning – to see how she was doing before deciding whether to take her to the other animal hospital.
I slept with Holly on the loveseat for the entire night – I did not want her to be alone if she was going to die, and I did not sleep a wink.
GOOD NEWS!
When she awoke, she wanted to go outside to potty – which was good news. So, I decided to wait until Monday and called the vet’s office to make an appointment for 9:00 AM.
Yesterday, we took Holly to the vet, and he mentioned that although she had lost some weight – he felt her condition was showing a slight improvement. However, she still had a fever, so he gave her an injection of antibiotics and another for the ear infection. Dr. Andersen also felt that Holly would be okay, but it would take some time for her to recover.
I was so happy that I wanted to hug Dr. Andersen but instead cried tears of happiness and thanked him from the bottom of my heart!
So, hopefully, that will be the end of Holly’s buckin’ ear problem – and I am so relieved!
I also want to apologize to my many friends who have been worried about Holly and me – I have not spent any time on the computer, except initially on social media platforms Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn.
UPDATE – I will delete my Facebook and Twitter accounts on February 1, 2023.
If Holly Golightly could speak – she would say Never Give Up – just like her daddy (me).
Dedicated to Dr. Andersen and the staff at All Creatures Animal Hospital
I hope my stories are a gift to your head and heart.
Hugs,
Danny
Today’s tune from Danny’s library (purchased):
I guess this time; you’re really leaving
I heard your suitcase say goodbye
Well, as my broken heart lies bleeding
You say true love is suicide
You say you’ve cried a thousand rivers
And now you’re swimming for the shore
You left me drowning in my tears
And you won’t save me anymore
I’m praying to God you’ll give me one more chance, girl
I’ll be there for you
These five words, I swear to you
When you breathe, I wanna be the air for you
I’ll be there for you
I’d live, and I’d die for you
I’d steal the sun from the sky for you
Words can’t say what love can do
I’ll be there for you
I know you know we’ve had some good times
Now they have their own hiding place
Well, I can promise you tomorrow
But I can’t buy back yesterday
And, baby, you know my hands are dirty
But I wanted to be your Valentine
I’ll be the water when you get thirsty, baby
When you get drunk, I’ll be the wine
I’ll be there for you
These five words, I swear to you
When you breathe, I wanna be the air for you
I’ll be there for you
I’d live, and I’d die for you
I’d steal the sun from the sky for you
Words can’t say what love can do
I’ll be there for you
I wasn’t there when you were happy
And I wasn’t there when you were down
I didn’t mean to miss your birthday, baby
I wish I’d seen you blow those candles out
I’ll be there for you
These five words, I swear to you
When you breathe, I wanna be the air for you
I’ll be there for you
I’d live, and I’d die for you
I’d steal the sun from the sky for you
Words can’t say what love can do
I’ll be there for
I’ll be there for you
These five words, I swear to you
When you breathe, I want to be the air for you
I’ll be there for you
I’d live, and I’d die for you
I’d steal the sun from the sky for you
Words can’t say what a love can do
I’ll be there for you
Songwriters: Jon Bon Jovi / Richard S. Sambora
I’ll Be There For You lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Universal Music Publishing Group
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