Once in awhile, the world gets lucky. We may see a planet that won’t pass this way again for another 5,000 years. Or, we can experience something so profound that a planet’s rare occurrence seems to pale in comparison.

That’s the experience that Dr. Mike Higgins, at the Virginia -Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine, brought to The Mosby Foundation for consideration of possible financial assistance.

The Roeders, an elderly childless couple, share a canine companion as dear to them as any child. Yeller, a thirteen-year-old Yellow Lab, was perfectly healthy until she unexpectedly began having seizures in June. That’s when they brought their beloved to Dr. Higgins.

After examining Yeller, Dr. Higgins discovered a tumor in an operable part of her brain. It’s never easy to present a life-threatening health challenge to pet owners, and the Roeders were no exception. In fact, it may have been harder. Dr. Higgins explained it this way, “I can only think of a handful of owners I have met who seem to connect to their pets in a spiritual way. The Roeders are in this small group.”

Nevertheless, it had to be done. So, Dr. Higgins explained Yeller’s medical condition and presented the Roeders with two treatment options: give Yeller medication only to provide temporary relief for a few weeks. Or, risk surgery. The second option would give Yeller a few extra months or even years.
Choosing What’s “Best”

This compassionate couple struggled with their decision. They loved Yeller enough to accept that this was not just about them, and what they wanted. This was about what was best for the love of their life for 13 years.

Finally, the Roeders chose surgery, fully aware of all the risks. Yeller came through the surgery and recovered well. Each day, the Roeders visited their beloved, stroking and soothing her with words of love. They took pictures of her journey into wellness and made a photo album. Everyone caring for Yeller received copies But even as the Roeders loved and supported Yeller through her recovery, she became listless. Dr. Higgins diagnosed pneumonia, and her condition became decidedly worse over the next few days with persistent fever, occasional vomiting and depression.

Dr. Higgins cautioned the Roeders that it was possible Yeller’s stomach fluids could aspirate into her lungs. Unfortunately, not only did the aspiration occur, but Yeller’s lungs had become infected. Her faithful family, the Roeders, stayed by her side, lovingly encouraging her to stay with them, to fight the infection so she could come home with them.

Weeks passed, and Yeller was no better. Again, the Roeders were forced to make another life decision for their companion: place chest tubes in her chest cavity, draining it of the excess fluid from her lungs, or, to stop all treatments and bring Yeller home.

This Time Yeller Decides

But this time, Yeller’s eyes told them what they could not face. Yeller was used to being surrounded by love. And that meant the smell of the Roeders home, her home. The furniture and newspapers, supper cooking, and the nightly news, it was all love to Yeller, warm and healing.

Now she struggled to live in a sterile environment. Yeller’s eyes told them how much she missed them, and it tore at their hearts. And because they loved her so much, they abided by Yeller’s wishes and brought their sweet dog home.

Love Saves The Day

Dr. Higgins continued Yeller’s treatments at the Roeder home, administering antibiotics and monitoring her progress. But something stronger than physical medicine awakened Yeller’s desire for life. Whatever Yeller needed, the Roeders provided. Unable to walk up and down the stairs, Mr. Roeder would carry her. Surrounded by their love, Yeller began to improve.

Then she got stronger. Her most recent re-check showed the pneumonia clearing from Yeller’s lungs, and her blood work improving. Remarkably, Yeller is expected to make a complete recovery.

One Day At A Time

The Roeders recently wrote to us about Yeller’s health. They continue to be optimistic. “ The gaining strength has continued, but she did have a seizure on October 3rd. The vets think it was from the scared tissue in the brain. The seizure really drained her physically, and she now is taking phenobarbital twice a day. However, Yeller continues to regain her strength, and hopefully she will be able to greet her pirates and princesses on Halloween this year.”

The power of this story goes beyond medicine. Yeller knows nothing about science’s powerful conclusion that our emotions have a profound influence on our physical health.

All Yeller knew was, home is where the heart is. In this case, two hearts beating softly just for her. Now that all she loved surrounded Yeller, her body responded, infusing her battered spirit. And then Dr. Higgins’ antibiotics were able to do their job much more efficiently.

The Mosby Foundation was honored to help this elderly couple. And Dr. Higgins insightful perception was right. The Roeders and Yeller live a love as rare as a distant planet revealed in the night sky.  And who hasn't dreamed of glimpsing such a heavenly sight?