My Holiday Story for Sir Winston Churchill Frey
Several years ago, it was a particularly tough December. We were all having trouble getting into the Holiday Spirit since losing our 12.8 year old female sheepie, Princess Abigail of Lace Curtains (Abby to all) that same August. Our 2 year old sheepie was really having a tough time. Winston looked everywhere for her; moped and was as blue as we were. We each tried to cheer up the other, and kept trying to get into the "spirit". However, things got worse before they got better. Something was really wrong with Winston. He was having a terrible time trying to go potty. He would take what seemed liked hours to go. And nothing was happening. We took him to the vet who thought it may be prostate related, so he should be neutered immediately. Within a week of the surgery, we knew that wasn't the problem. He still couldn't go. Back to the vet for more tests and xrays. Winston needed help. Fast. We needed to take him to the special surgeons at Ohio State University. So, on December 23rd, we all made the 3-hour trip north (we are in Cincinnati) to Columbus. Me, hubby, Winston and all 3 girls (ages 10, 8 & 7) took Winston to what we hoped would be his team of Angels. Again, many many tests, blood work, xrays, pokes, prods and anal checks done to the poor boy. He was so sick. He laid there with his big furry head in my lap with those sad eyes looking up at me; "What's wrong with me Mamma? Please help me feel better." It tore at my heart. The girls were besides themselves; make him better mom, we can't lose both our puppies within months of each other, we just can't do it. The surgeons had the results and needed to talk to us. Alone. We left the boy with the girls and went into another office. Winston had to have immediate internal reconstructive surgery or he would die within the day. He had been trying so hard to poopy that he was actually pushing all his internal organs OUT. They needed to reconstruct his colon, his intestines and reattach all the organs in their proper places. It would save his life. He would need to be on a special prescription dog food for the rest of his life and could have no treats that were'nt RX, too. He needed the surgery immediately. But, the price would be steep. It would cost more than $5,000. Two days before Christmas. With everything happening with Winston, we hadn't done a thing about the girls and Christmas. We didn't have any idea where we would get this kind of money. We cried and we asked to have a couple of minutes to talk to the girls. We went back to the room with the girls and Winston. They wanted to know what was the matter. We told them everything the surgeons had just told us. They were SO happy! They asked us what in the world were we waiting for, why were we crying? Then we told them about the money. Then these 3 angels that I get the pleasure of calling my daughters cried and told us that the only thing they wanted for Christmas was their puppy back. They even told us to use their money they had in their little savings accounts. It was more than one heart could take. The decision was made. Winston went into surgery immediately and was in there most of the day. That evening, the sugeon told us that he did very well and was in recovery. We should go home and get some rest. The next 24 hours would be critical for him. They were keeping him sedated and we could not see him. We should come back on Christmas morning to get him (as long as all went well over the next day). Oh, and we should bring along $5,840 on Christmas Day. As hard as it was to do, we went home. Then the reality of no gifts for the girls hit me, the barren tree with no presents. I did what any daughter would do; I called my Mom and wailed. She told me to follow my heart and reminded me what the girls really wanted for Christmas that year. They had everything they needed, but what they wanted was Winston home and healthy. She was right, as usual. But what I didn't know was that she then made some calls of her own. God bless my mother. On Christmas morning, before we left for Columbus, there was a knock at the door. And, guess who was there!!??? SANTA CLAUS. No one I could make out, just a "good friend of a friend of the family" was all he said. He had a huge bag of gifts that included everything I had in layaway for the girls at the Toy Store, plus so many many other things that were obviously sent from the heart to our daughters. It was amazing. I cried. My husband cried. And the girls were beside themselves. Before he left, he handed me an envelope. He said that a group of our very good friends decided to take up a collection and wanted to help us with the costs for Winston's surgery. There was more than $1,000 dollars in the envelope!! I told him that I couldn't take this, and he insisted. He told me to kiss Winston for everyone and let him know what a special thing he had brought out in so many people at this special time of year. We loaded up and went North to get our baby. He was such a mess, after being through such a major surgery. But when he saw us, the light was back in those big brown beautiful eyes. The girls cried, they were so happy that he was alive. When we went to pay the balance, another $1000 had been taken off. A special Christmas Angel had called up and put $1000 on their credit card. To this day, we don't know who it was and the hospital was told very sternly under no circumstances were they to reveal who it was. Another Christmas miracle indeed. I thank God everyday for the experiences and love that we gained during that Christmas. Winston was a whole new dog after the amazing surgery. He lived on the RX dog food for the next 11 years and went to the Rainbow Bridge at a ripe old age of 13.5!! Thank you God for giving him back to us for such a long time. We know that he is happy with you and with Princess Abby and all his sheepie buddies in heaven. God Bless All of You and Merry Christmas to Everyone. Diana Frey Cincinnati Ohio |
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| Dear Diana,
As I read your story the tears were streaming down my eyes....what a wonderful story and thanks for sharing it with us. I wish I could say more ..but am speechless..just left with with a feeling of awe....and awwwww! Merry Christmas Marianne |
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