“One day I heard an enormous crash. Then a subtle whine. There was Cotton (a Pekingese) at the bottom of the stairs, shivering, with a frightened look on her face. Our nightmare had just begun: Cotton couldn’t get up.
X-ray after X-ray, pill after pill. We tried liniments, massage, Valium, Rimadyh, baby aspirin, acupuncture and shot after shot of cortisone. We tried it all, with very little success. She seemed to get better only to take a turn for the worse. 2 years had passed, and I had exhausted every option.
Friday, Jan 2, 1998. Cold and snowing. Cotton screams in pain. I take her out and she has to be held to use the bathroom. I will never forget the look on her face: that of despair. The quality of her life was gone. It was then that I knew it was time to say good-bye to my long time companion of 8 1/2 years.
Overcome with grief unlike any I had ever felt before, I realized I was losing a family member no less than my child. I called the vet, a precious person and friend to Cotton. Words wouldn’t come out. I cried, she spoke. We agreed it would be best if we were last that day, saving my face. The time was set for 12 noon.
By now, Cotton’s Valium had kicked in and she was at ease for the moment. I kept trying to reassure myself that I was doing the right thing and that I had done all that I could. I prepared her last meal — steak, PRIME CUT! — and put it under the broiler…
Could this be real? Only two hours and my precious, loving companion would be without breath… I remembered an appointment with my chiropractor and called to cancel. But she assured me it was important to keep on schedule … upon arriving in tears and bloodshot eyes, I explained my dilemma. She said, “Have you ever thought of chiropractic for her?” Reluctantly, I took the telephone number of Dr John Faherty, who loves and treats animals. Back at the house, with only one hour to go, I call the number…
Dr Faherty calls and agrees to see Cotton that day. I attempt to load her as she screams in pain…We arrive at the office. It’s our last hope. Dr Faherty examines Cotton, to find that her neck terribly out of line. He adjusts her, which took all of five minutes, Cotton cooperating fully. We go home and apply ice, just as the doctor ordered.
That night Cotton was able to stand and eat. Still very unstable, we wait. Morning arrives… As I approach Cotton, I see she is standing, wagging her tail. I thought it was a dream. Cotton walked on her own outside! It has now been a month. Cotton has received four treatments. She has had to learn to walk all over again. Just today, she was outside chasing her brother, Gizmo. A bit of a limp at times, but her quality of life has returned. Cotton and I say “Hats off to you, Dr John Faherty!” We appreciate your calls and concern. THANK YOU!
