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Jackie's Miracle Dog

Molly, a 6-year old Bichon, was in trouble. Plagued with recurrent kidney stones since she was a year old, the condition had raised its ugly head again. This time, not once, but twice is a single month. Surgery was required both times.

When it happened a third time, the solution was not so simple. Molly's platelet count was so low that surgery was out of the question. Jackie Hewitt was frantic...and tired. Single and an only child, Jackie was the sole caretaker for her mother, who was recovering from surgery.

Jackie's dogs, Molly and Cookie, are her life. Her mom is her best friend. It seemed her world of love and support was collapsing. Finally, Molly's platelets rose inexplicably, and Molly had bladder surgery once again to ease her suffering. But this time Molly did not respond well. She became disoriented and weak, unable to keep any food or water down.

Jackie rushed her nearly lifeless pet to the emergency vet hospital. Doctors took one look at her and told her they had to start IV's or the little dog would probably die in front of her. Horrified, Jackie agreed, and reluctantly left the hospital.

Molly's Medical Condition Revealed

IT wasn't until later that the hospital called and told Jackie the news. Molly was a severe diabetic. Her sugar count exceeded 700, a fatal elevation. IF Jackie had not brought Molly to the hospital when she did, Molly most certainly would have died.

For two weeks, Molly had IV fluids non-stop. Jackie juggled two veterinary hospitals, her daytime job, and caring for her ill mother. But her commitment to Molly never wavered. Neither hospital could get the diabetes under control. To make matters worse, three out of five doctors advised Jackie to put Molly down. She was told that she would never get any better. Certainly, Jackie didn't want her companion to suffer but, in her heart, Jackie wasn't ready to give up yet.

Jackie's Special Request

Experts are only experts, after all. They are trained to understand the intricate design of the body, and how the pieces work together as a unit. Experts know how precisely what to expect in an organ is damaged, or if a disease is diagnosed. Experts can tell tell us if the symptoms, the life expectancy, and the impact to the quality of one's life because of the body's damage.

But they can't tell you about the magic of love. Or, how love can inexplicably ignite the body's healing capacity. Maybe Jackie didn't know that, either. She did know that she wanted Molly home with her; if not permanently, then for just a few hours a night.

The vets agreed to 90 minutes. Cookie was ecstatic to see her old friend. She would kiss Molly and howl with delight. But Molly, weak and depressed, was disinterested.

But Jackie wouldn't quit. "My mom and I struggled to make everything familiar to her." And it paid off. After only four days, Molly rebounded. The sweetness that was the hallmark of her personality returned, and JAckie brought Molly home to stay.

The doctors called Molly a miracle dog. We call it love in Action.

Constant Care

"I am so grateful to The Mosby Foundation for assisting me. And I'm grateful to the veterinarians. Molly has been through a lot to be six years old. She is truly my Angel Miracle Dog."

Molly's blood sugar still fluctuates, and there are constant visits to the vet to monitor her diabetes. Now she faces blindness due to her illness. But even Jackie's primary vet agrees: It's love for Jackie that keeps Molly here.

For all three of them, it's life and love one day at a time. And when you think about it, that's all any of us ever has. But for Molly, Cookie, and Jackie, its more than that. Each day together is a gift from above.