From Star to
Shooting Star
By Rita Hickey
"I wonder if Star will now be able to run faster?" was the lighthearted
question I was asked on a recent Saturday morning at the vet's office, in a
not-so-lighthearted situation.
The phone rang shortly after 7:00 a.m., rousing two greyhounds and their
humans from a deep sleep. A dog was coming in for emergency surgery needing
a blood transfusion. Since I mentioned at one time to call if they ever
needed a donor, would I be willing to bring in one of my dogs? I got
dressed with greyhound speed and Don Julio and I were on our way to
Pecos-Russell Animal Hospital. Joyce had just gotten there with her
8-year-old beautiful German shepherd, a girl named Star. She took her to
the back and Don Julio, a.k.a. Bubba, was escorted to the back also. I was
told that he would have to stay for a couple of hours and might have to be
sedated. I was ready to leave when Joyce came out and asked me if I was the
mom of that beautiful greyhound who was going to save her little girl's
life. She didn't waste any time coming over to give me a big hug and we
both cried.
It seemed I barely got home when the phone rang; Don Julio was doing fine,
in fact he was sooo good, they didn't even have to tranquilize him? My
husband and I were so proud of our boy. We were right all along - 'he da
man!'
When I went to pick him up, Star was still waiting for her surgery. Joyce
and I sat there with our two and dogs and talked, between big wet kisses
from Star for both of us. I wished them good luck, gave them another hug,
and left.
A few hours later I went back with our little girl Tequila for her routine
thyroid blood check. Star was out of surgery and recovering well. The
news was good and bad. They removed her spleen because of cancer and it
looked like the cancer had spread. Don Julio however, gave Star and Joyce
a little bit more time together (they are hoping for six months). I know
if Don Julio could talk, he would tell us how happy he was that he could
help (and that it was worth it for the puppy chow and cookies he got.)
From now on when I look at the stars in the sky, I will always remember
that beautiful shepherd face, with her sparkling, bright eyes. My husband
and I hope that Star will be able to bring Joyce many more months of the
joy, companionship and affection that Don Julio and Tequila give us every
day.
And next time you look up into the sky and see a shooting star - it might
be a German shepherd running like a greyhound! |
