There is a little engine of another sort that faces life’s daily ups and downs head on. Her name is Molly, a plucky pug who is a remarkable testament to the indomitable will of the spirit. You see, this lil’ doggie can’t accomplish a lot of things that her canine counterparts take for granted – simple stuff like walking on all four legs or going to the bathroom on her own.
Like most puppies, Molly was born with energy to burn and initially appeared healthy in every way. But at three months of age, the unthinkable happened – her back legs simply stopped working. After a battery of tests, veterinarians determined that her spine was twisted as a result of a birth defect, cutting off the nerves from her cranium to her caboose. Euthanasia was quietly suggested.
Her human mom, Mandy Evans, refused to be derailed by any thoughts of putting her precious puppy to sleep. Instead, Mandy pledged to pamper her paraplegic pooch, even going so far as changing her diaper several times a day and incurring an avalanche of ongoing veterinary bills.
Throughout the years, Mandy and Molly visited school children and the elderly in Santa Barbara and, more recently in Sandpoint, Idaho, where they shared their message of hope, inspiration, and acceptance of people and pets with disabilities.
Last week, Mandy made the sad announcement to many long-time friends and supporters that Molly’s fragile body had succumbed to the ravages of time and illness. She wrote: “I can’t believe I am writing this…after eight years of love, laughter and learning, my little Molly has passed away. Though Molly’s struggle with her health was lifelong, her death was quick and sudden. She so fittingly slipped away in my arms…just another special moment Molly and I shared together.”
Mandy continued: “I hope now that Molly is resting peacefully with the warm sun on her. I want her to know what it feels like to be free of an ailing bladder. To feel her toes wiggle and her tail wag. To scratch that itch with her back leg and to jump off the couch without help. To wade in a pond of shallow water, to take in a full breath of air without the pressure on her spine. I hope there are crowds of people cheering and welcoming her to heaven and that she runs up to each of them with a sparkle in her eye and all four legs on the ground…. Thank you for your support over the years and for letting me share Molly with you.”
To learn more about Molly’s life, visit: www.dogster.com/dogs/528641. If you would like to send a personal message of condolence to Mandy Evans, her email address is mandy@cfmeetings.com
CALENDAR GIRLS (AND BOYS). Why not get a jump on 2010 by downloading your very own Adoptable Animals Calendar, which was compiled by the folks at Xerox FreeColor Printers, in conjunction with The Humane Society of the United States?
The calendar, hot off the presses this month, features 12 of the cutest, cuddliest cats and dogs on the planet including – drum roll please – my own cat, Miss Bella! Eleven lucky winners were awarded a $50.00 American Express gift card; the grand prize winner received a $500.00 American Express gift card. (No, we weren’t the top winner, but were thrilled, nonetheless.)
The stunning picture of my photogenic feline (who is “Miss August”) was shot by none other than Bonnie Baker, photographer extraordinaire for the Dog Adoption and Welfare Group in Santa Barbara. Many of you have seen Bonnie’s endearing and eye-catching dog photos on the All for Animals Web site (www.allforanimals.com/dogphotos.sb.html) as well as at many local establishments such as Lazy Acres Market. Woofs and purrs to you, Bonnie for everything you do for our animal friends!
To view or download the FREE 2010 Adoptable Animals Calendar, visit www.office.xerox.com/latest/FCPPS-07UD.pdf.
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Let Karen know about your adorable, adopted cats and dogs by sending an email message to her at karenleestevens@cox.net. For more of Karen’s columns, visit www.examiner.com/x-1962-Santa-Barbara-Pet-Examiner.
PETS OF THE WEEK – Bunny Friends
Donna, Emma, Faye and Gayle are among 24(!) rabbits who came to the County Animal Shelter during the Jesusita Fire. All four bunnies are sweet, loving, and enjoy each other’s company. Gayle (white with black markings) is particularly outgoing and loves to have her photo taken. All the bunnies are spayed and litter boxed trained. To adopt one (or more!) rabbit, call BUNS (Bunnies Urgently Needing Shelter) at (805) 683-0521 or www.bunssb.org.