Etiquette suggests that we place the person before the situation. However, I do not know of a pet person that would not want the pet to come first.
My pet people see veterinarians as super heroes. Veterinarians are real people with super powers that live among us. Often we don’t see their capes until action is required.
In fact, we claim our veterinarians. My veterinarian is Dr. Carl Prior at the Park City Animal Clinic. That having been said, the Hooker Horde has a whole team of superhero veterinarians and technicians ready and willing to jump in for extreme vetting.
Last November, Dr. Prior met Princess.
When I think of a princess, I think of Princess Diana, the people’s princess.
It took a team to make Princess Diana a princess. She had stylists, speech writers, and security. But, it was her heart that made her a real princess.
It took a team, led by Dr. Prior, to make our Princess, Princess Hooker.
First, Dr. Prior saw in this girl something too special to let go. Dr. Prior gave his time, his talent and his treasure to save her life. Princess’ team included sweet Susan, Nikki and Moe at the Park City Animal Clinic. In addition, Dr. Hopper and Dr. Nazzaro stepped up and in to make sure Princess was ready for a new life.
Then, he trusted me to follow through and love her.
At home, Dr. Keri Bogardus met me. I wasn’t sure how I’d get Princess in the house and comfortable with everyone. But, with Keri (also a superhero vet), it was easy. It was as if Princess had been a Hooker her whole life.
Back in Pennsylvania, Dr. Toby Erlichman answered my questions via Facebook message.
On a few mornings, Princess cried out in pain. Dr. Keri Bogardus came right over.
We had some ups and downs. On December 21st, Dr. Prior found another mass. He removed it. We biopsied it. It was sarcoma, but the margins were clear.
From November 26th, 2016 – February 24th, 2017, just 3 short months, Princess Hooker was a true Princess.
Princess had a family. She even had a grandma.
For Christmas, a Facebook friend sent her a BARKBOX.
Another friend, Cousin Nikko, Faith’s nephew, sent Princess $100! He was her Secret Santa. We thought about what to spend it on . . . a new collar? Cousin Nikko’s gift paid for Princess’ portrait painted by a Berner buddy.
She spent Christmas Day helping clear snow in Grandma’s driveway with Uncle Jeff and eating ham.
From the moment Princess came home, she ate slow-cooked chicken mixed over vegetables.
Princess enjoyed the snow, hiking at Run-a-Muck, snuggling in her very own bed, and listening to stories.
For Princess’ 10th birthday, we had a party. She drank some CharDOGnay from my wedding glasses and enjoyed a cake with mashed potato frosting. (I drank the Veuve Clicquot.) Everyone PAW-tied.
For a moment, I was optimistic. What if the clear margins from the second surgery meant that the cancer was gone?
When Princess started panting, licking her paws and her bed, and stopped going up the stairs, I knew.
So, we made a cake.
Following are a few thoughts from our pet communicator:
She is trying to get your attention. She isn’t feeling at all well and knows that soon she will feel very badly. She doesn’t want to go through too much discomfort. She likes that you are willing to send her home before it gets too bad.
So any time now? Party first? Maybe? She’s hoping. In a week or so? Sooner? She’s ready.
So sorry to hear about Faith but, you do have enormous gratitude coming from her wonderful energy. She’s barking and running around the house. Tearing around the house is more apt. I’m surprised her happy little soul hasn’t tripped you up on the steps. She says she spent a goodly amount of time just jumping up and down. Nice to not have the body impeding us. She is a little rapscallion right now. Just soo filled with joy. She’s just going on and on like that. Very nice to connect with.
The day Princess decided to leave, she woke up and BARKED at Faith’s portrait.
After adventuring outside in the snow, I poured myself a glass of liquid easy courage and sat next to my girl on her bed. Lost in the feel of her fur, I heard the slurp before I realized she was sipping, too.
With Dr. Prior, tears in his eyes, he wondered, “Did we do the right thing? Did we put her through too much for just three months?”
No question. He and all of his superhero angels did the right thing. Princess Hooker had 3 months of unconditional love and pampering.
Our pet communicator wrote this on January 7th, 2016:
Well, look at that. Never mind, she’s just fine and wanting to stick around and all the dogs love her and she loves them….And, You. Not kidding one bit. This is working. I’d like to offer for you to send her picture every once in awhile and we’ll do a check in and keep her where she wants to be. But, honestly, at this point I believe you would hear her very well.
She’s lovely, so are you. No charge. Apparently, you are hearing them loud and clear. Many hugs,
She continued.
She’s tired and not feeling 100%, but this is the happiest she’s ever been. Just to clarify. We’ll keep an eye on her and that will be my contribution.
January 21st
We’re very close. Maybe even next week? We’ll see. She adores you to pieces and all the dogs are helping you help her. Really very sweet.
January 23rd
Thank you for listening to these lovely animals. She knows she will go home soon but she is treasuring every second with you and your wonderful dog family.
February 23rd:
She can’t stand to be without you. Sunday or earlier would work for her. Sigh, have to go get a kleenex. This is hard on all of us silly humans. Many, many hugs to you. thank you so much from her, and from me, for taking such good care of her. February 25th:
Boy, for some reason I’m having a hard time with this passing. Luckily, I can see how happy and loving and grateful she is, but boy, this one really, really touched my heart. Thank you again for providing such a safe haven for her.
Hooker's Horde 