We have all heard the tales of the dog that saves the owner who fell through the ice on a fishing trip or collapses during a seizure. Perhaps you’ve heard the story of the cat who managed to evacuate his family from a blazing home by dipping his feet in the toilet and walking across their sleepy faces during the wee hours of the night. These stories may seem just that, stories; but the truth is, they happen every day.
Animals of every breed have been fondly remembered as champions or saviors to their human companions. Their heroic deeds are recounted to friends and family of all ages and become legendary.
My father told me a story that helped me know as a youngster that I wanted to become a veterinarian more than anything else in the world. As kids, we were fortunate to live on a cattle ranch. It was pretty much heaven! All the animals and outdoors a kid could ever want was readily available!
My dad was managing several ranches in Southeast Colorado at the time. He was checking pens in a remote field when he noticed a down cow. Dad dismounted his horse and approached the cow. As it happened, a coyote had been lingering nearby. As my father was walking toward the cow, the coyote moved in toward my father. But, Dad remained focused on the cow.
When he was next to the hurt animal, he watched something amazing. The other cows in the herd began to encircle him and the injured cow. Their heads were all aimed outward to literally stare down the coyote. They had created a 360 degree barrier between Dad and the coyote. The coyote apparently knew that he had lost this battle and went along his way, quite unfulfilled.
A cow, let alone a herd of cattle, would be the last animal that one would think of when considering the human-animal bond; but they are as devoted an animal as the dog sleeping by your bed at night.
A Care Animal Hospital client, Ms. B, spoke of a life-changing event involving her Rottweiler, Marley. Ms. B was experiencing some health issues at the time. As she was resting at home, Marley would repeatedly approach her and gently place his paw on Ms. B’s left breast. She had been seeing a specialist for a suspected lump in the right breast which the biopsy revealed to be benign. That was great news! Still, Marley continued to place his paw on or near Ms. B’s left breast.
At a follow-up appointment with her physician, Ms. B mentioned Marley’s behavior to the doctor. He repeated the breast exam and mammogram. A suspicious area was now apparent on the film on the left side. Ms. B elected to pursue a bilateral radical mastectomy. When the results from the pathologist revealed a malignant tumor in the mass from the left breast, she knew she had something special in Marley. Marley saved her life.
Ms. B has recovered well and we anxiously await her report card indicating she is cancer-free!!! Ms. B was fortunate enough to have a doctor who apparently understood the strength of the human-animal bond along with a dog who continues to bless her daily life.
We will always hear wonderful tales of amazing animals. Somehow, these never grow old. Their courage and self-sacrifice comes naturally. They do not seek fame or praise. They live to do the right thing all the time. Sure, they’ll eat your favorite shoe or scratch your furniture. But, when push comes to shove, they’ll have your back every time.
I have a friend who's Kelpie did the same thing. She went to her doctor and they did exrays and found a lump. the lump was removed and it was cancerous. She had treatment now she is cancer free.
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