CHESSIE’S STORY
They say a dog is man’s best friend. I guess they’re right. There’s nothing in the world I wouldn’t do for my humans, especially my Mom. If anyone in my house gets pampered, it’s me. My life has been blessed, and I’ve always felt loved, but Mommy hit the nail on the head when she took me to see my angel.
I was born February 12, 1993 near a place they call Harrisonburg, Va. I had lots of brothers and sisters to play with, but when we were about twelve weeks old, humans started coming and taking us away, one by one. I didn’t really understand why until the day MY humans came. A very nice lady and her daughter came to see us. My brothers were so into biting each other’s ears that they didn’t really pay much attention. I was curious though. I’d seen humans before, no big deal right, but they seemed so nice, and I just had to know more. They say that curiosity killed the cat, but mine got me a ride home with the bestest family any puppy could ask for! Before I knew it, I was ridin’ shot-gun in the girl’s lap on the way to my new home. I was nervous, scared and happy all at the same time, and one thing’s for sure, that riding in a car thing is definitely not for me!
We got to my new house that evening, and boy was it scary! There was so much to see and even more to smell, I didn’t know what to do first. I was exploring the yard when a man came out of the house. He didn’t seem very happy to see me. He told my lady human and her daughter that he wasn’t ready for another dog yet. I didn’t understand what that meant either, but by the looks on their faces, it couldn’t have been good. I guess he changed his mind though, ‘cause he was really nice to me, and we played a lot. I got to go in the house and meet my family’s cat Tom, but he didn’t seem to like me much. I guess he thought I’d hurt him, or take away his toys, but he didn’t have to worry I had brothers and sisters. I was taught to share.
I was named after my birth mother, Wild Mountain Chestnut. I was named Miss Chestnut Mae, but they call me Chessie. I’m a Golden Retriever. I don’t know what a chestnut looks like, but they say that’s what color I am. The next day (oh yay) they made me ride in the car again. The trip was longer this time. I got to meet my very first doctor, Jeff Nester. He was very kind to me, and gentle, but then he gave me shots. If you’ve never had one, shots HURT! Jeff told my humans that they should take me back and get another puppy, that I was born with a really bad hip disease, and surgery to fix me would be very expensive. My Mom told him that he was crazy, that they were already in love with me, and there was no way they were giving me up. I knew then just how much my family loved me, and I was more than happy to be
going back home with them.
A few days later, I had my first encounter with water. I mean, yea, I’ve had water before, drink it all the time, but this was like water I’ve never seen before. My Mom, Dad and Sissy were dragging this big green blanket around. I could tell something was under it, but I didn’t see it right away. Whey they got the blanket moved they had uncovered the biggest bowl of water I’ve ever seen. Once again I was curious; I got a little too close to the edge and fell in. If it hadn’t been for my humans, curiosity would have killed the puppy.
The first few days in my new home were very overwhelming, but it didn’t take long for me to adjust. Mom, Dad and Sissy were gone most of the day though and I was left with Tom, all by myself. After he realized that I wouldn’t hurt him or take his toys, we became great friends.
One day they came home and left again. I decided to explore the house. I found my way up these really steep soft blocks and discovered Sissy’s room. She had so many toys! They all smelled so good, especially the white dog with the red hat. I didn’t think Sissy would mind sharing so I grabbed him and just started chewing. The hard white stuff across his tummy felt really good on my teeth, but when I started chewing his insides, it made me feel horrible! I started coughing, and black stuff came out of my mouth. After that happened, I felt a little better, but I had to find something to get rid of that awful taste. I decided not to try to share Sissy’s toys anymore. I found my way back down the soft blocks to the room where I had come from. I saw some white bears up on the table that looked pretty good, so I grabbed one and took a bite. They felt really good on my teeth too! Mom, Dad and Sissy finally came back but when they saw the remains of the bears and Sissy saw the black stuff on her floor, they weren’t very happy with me.
My curiosity that day got me enrolled in Obedience School.
Once again, I had to ride in the car. We had to go every few days to a big brick building. The blocks there weren’t as soft as the ones at my house, but I made it up them ok. There was a big room with lots of other puppies, and their humans. Mom and Sissy went with me, and brought a bag of little squares. They were so good! After I learned how to sit, shake hands, roll over, heel, and stay, I didn’t have school anymore. I passed everything but that walking on a leash thing. It was fun learning, and I loved being there with the other puppies.
When I was about nine months old, Dr. Nester’s diagnosis proved to be true. I started having sharp pains in my hip area. It was obvious that Mom never got the hint that I hate being in the car. We had to go for a really long ride far away from home. We stayed in a hotel, but I still got to sleep with Mommy just like at home. Her and Sissy took me for rides up and down in a big tall box (I think it’s called an elevator) so I could go potty. I didn’t like that much either. The next morning, I got to go meet Dr. Siemering. He’s the veterinarian who performed the surgery that was supposed to help fix my hips. I had to stay in the hospital all night. The next morning, Mommy and Sissy came to pick me up. Dr. Siemering explained to my Mom and Sissy that my surgery was called “double femoral head ostectomy.” They had removed the ball portion of my hip joints, and smoothed my bones so I could walk better. He said that I was recovering well; I was already up walking, and when I saw my family, I just had to wag my tail. I felt weird, but the pain was gone. Dr. Simering said I would walk funny for the rest of my life, but I really didn’t care. I could run and play with Tom Tom, because I had grown to love him a lot. I was so happy to see him when I finally got home.
I lived a pretty normal, pain free life after that, until a few years ago. I started having problems with my balance, due to a large growth on my back leg. Dr. Nester had gone to live in heaven and Mommy had trouble finding me another good doctor to take his place. She took me to see one after another until one of them told her that if they didn’t remove the growth on my leg, it would give me more serious problems.
Oh yay, another ride in the car, and far from home. It was getting old if you ask me. We took a trip to Blacksburg, VA to Virginia Tech, where I had another surgery to remove the growth on my leg. They called it a lipoma. It weighed 7lbs.8oz. I don’t know what that means, but my leg felt a lot lighter after it was gone. The doctors at Virginia Tech told my family that I had neurological damage to my back legs, which would also cause problems. They were right. I got so I couldn’t get up as easily as I used to, and walking became very difficult. My paws started knuckling, and I started falling. My muscles were very weak.
Once again, my Mom was on the hunt for another good doctor. This time, she hit the jackpot. She found Dr. Stacy Reeder. The first time I ever met Dr. Reeder, I knew right away that she would help me. It was so nice to finally have a lady doctor. She was so pretty, and her smile was so warm and welcoming.
I got to visit Dr. Reeder every week. Dr. Reeder started my therapy by lifting me up while her assistant Pam rolled a big blue ball under my tummy. Boy did that feel weird! She rolled me around on top of the ball to stretch my legs and help strengthen my muscles.
If I would have known what was next, I would have been exercising more at home. They made me climb a steep, wooden ramp that led to guess what. A pool. (Oh yay.) Dr. Reeder and Pam put me in the water, and held me while I swam. It kinda scared me a first; it brought back memories of that first water encounter I told you about earlier. It didn’t take long for my fear to subside, because Dr. Reeder held me close to her, and I could feel love radiating from her heart. I felt safe with her. After awhile I liked being in the water (I’d never tell them that) but I was always happy to see Pam put on her trash bag. That meant she was lowering the gate, and I was getting out!
After my pool therapy, Dr. Reeder would let me lay down and rest, while she stretched out and massaged my legs and back. Ooooh, that was soooo relaxing. All I wanted to do was sleep. After my massages, Pam would attack me with the hairdryer and then I got to go home.
My therapy with Dr. Reeder has made me feel so much better, but lately, getting in the pool has made me very tired. She took pity, and hasn’t made me swim anymore. Instead, she has spent more time massaging my back and legs, and for some reason, she’s been pulling my tail. I find that very strange, but I’m sure she knows what she’s doing.
In place of pool therapy, she has been using some cold gooey stuff that she puts on round electric pads that attach to my hips. Then she pushes buttons on a little white box, and it sends vibrations to my muscles to relax them. That makes me feel all funny inside.
I always like to go to therapy, because Dr. Reeder is always so kind, and if something makes me uncomfortable, she changes it, or does something different to make me feel better. When it comes to her, my therapy is all about ME, and MY needs. I could never ask for a better doctor.
About a month ago, we found out that Dr. Reeder is moving to Maryland. I think that is a long way from here. My Mom is very sad. I know that she is going to miss Dr. Reeder very much. I’m going to miss her too. What am I going to do? I love her so very much and I would do anything for her. I wish I could make her stay here, so I could still see her every week. I know that my Mom would take to where she is going, but I don’t think I could stand such a long ride. I’m sure you know by now that I hate riding in the car.
Mommy and I will always be thankful for Dr. Reeder. I don’t think we will ever find another doctor that we’ll both like and one who will love me the way she does.
I’ve always believed in angels, and I believe that Dr. Reeder is one, and that God sent her to me in human form to ease my pain and make my senior years happy for my family and me.
This morning (May 31, 2007) I crossed the Rainbow Bridge to join my feline friend, Tom and the others there. It is so beautiful here, the light is so bright, the flowers are in bloom, the trees are green, butterflies and birds are everywhere, and love is all around. I don’t hurt anymore and I can run and play like before! I did have a really rough night last night because something was very wrong inside of me. My family stayed up with me all night, letting me know how much they love me.. Finally, this morning, my Angel doctor sent another doctor (because it would take her a long time to get here) to my house and she gave me an injection which took away all my pain. My Mommy and Daddy and Sissy were with me, surrounding me with their love but I know they were hurting. My Mommy cries a lot because she misses me so much even though she knows I’m with God and some very special friends now. I hope she will feel better soon and remember the good times. I’m still with her because she and I are ONE and we will always be together.
All she has to do is look at the brightest star in the sky and she’ll know I’m t here. I miss my family a lot and I’ll be waiting for them in this beautiful love-filled land on the other side of the Rainbow Bridge.
4/14/07
Amended: 5/31/07
Author: Jodi Link for Miss Chestnut Mae
You are in our hearts forever,
| Chessie |
| The Jim Link Family |