Ellie Mae's "bo bo's"

Golden Retrievers have alot of fatty lumps on their skin. That just goes with the breed. Last week Ellie Mae had a large lump at the beginning of her tail just below her back along with several on her side. We had our vet look her over and all were checked and came back benign. Two days later they became infected and were "hot spots" that she would not leave alone. Back to the doctor we went to hear that this problem is very painful for a dog. An operation on her tail followed. Well I went to pieces when I saw the struggle she gave before being put on the exam table. Her big brown eyes looked at me as if to say "Mom, please don't leave me". Tearfully, I left the office knowing she was in good hands, but also knowing that this was the first time we have ever been separated since 2001.

You hear about pets becoming like children, but this experience hurt as much as when my children were sick with fever and I felt inadequate to care for them.

After a long night, we picked her up sedated and somewhat dazed. Her big brown eyes were half closed as she glanced at me. I know she was thinking "why did you let them do this to me?"

Her tail was shaved with a bright blue compression bandage wrapped tightly around down to the end and a little pom pom of hair (like a rabbits tail) was left. On her back there was a 5 inch square of hair shaved in the middle of her back with several stitches exposed for all to see her battle wounds. She had two more places on her side where tumors were removed. Her leg had an area shaved for the use of an IV. All in all she looks pretty good for the war she has been in.

After two days of drugs and a sedative that made her "zombie-like" she is becoming more like herself again. The bandage comes off today and her tail will look more like a snake than a beautiful plumb she once had.

They say time heals all and I know that is true. I have learned once again (as if I needed to be reminded) how important this dog is to me.

Have a safe 4th of July! Ellie Mae says "ruff."

Focusing On Ellie Mae

The gold in my life has nothing to do with fine jewelry or gold bars of precious metal. It is a four legged golden retreiver. She came into my life in 2001 (one month after 911). Ellie Mae is my ever faithful golden retreiver service dog. I have multiple sclerosis, a disease of the central nervous system that (in my case) causes difficulty in walking long distances. She was trained to walk beside me at my gait and to be a stablizing force in my life, in more ways than one. When I first received Ellie Mae she became important to me for walking. Yet the longer I have had her she has become a part of my life that is a constant. She is faithful when I need her and faithful when I think I can do things on my own. She never changes unlike humans. Did you know that a dog is the one animal that totally depends on her master to take care of her every need? She only asks that you treat her like one of the family

At almost 9 years old now, Ellie has some issues with arthritis and getting around. She has become more content to lay around and watch me take off in a new power chair that I received in the fall for distance traveling. She looks at me as if to say "Mom if it is ok, I will just wait here for you til you get back". She knows I will return.

Dogs add so much to the human life span. We all need to feel needed. When children grow up and leave the nest, as is the way it should happen, a dog will remain faithful to the one who has cared for her. My sister gave me a painting when I got Ellie Mae. It is a picture of a golden in a down position. The quote says "my goal in life is to be the kind of person my dog thinks I am." Oh I hope that is true.