With a Side of Hope

Happy 11th Birthday to Oliver!

Today, 11 years ago, our family dog, Oliver was brought into this world.  I remember when Melissa, my mom and I went to see the Bichon Frise litter.  Melissa, picked out Oliver because he was her birthday gift.  She picked out the “runt” of the litter.  We both loved him and became obsessed with him.  We spoiled him with attention.  I unfortunately had to leave him when I went away to college.

I remember sitting in my dorm room missing him and wanting to see him so bad.  I missed so many of his firsts that year.  I missed his first haircut and everything.  Luckily, I was able to see him whenever I wanted through the web camera.  I spent two years living at that school far away from home and it was too much.  I finally decided to go to a school closer to home but I still lived on campus.  I was able to see him more often.

He has his moments.  He is very needy, and hyper and he cries a lot but we still really love him with all of our hearts and soul.

One of the scariest moments of my entire life, happened right when Mike and I came home from our honeymoon.  We learned that Oliver required surgery, however as I explained on here the vet majorly botched his surgery.  Oliver was grasping at threads to stay alive.  That week, my family and I spent running back and forth to the animal hospital to see what was going to happen with him.  I don’t think I’ve ever cried so hard in my entire life.

For a few days, I was sitting there wondering if we would ever see Oliver again.  I knew deep in my heart that he wouldn’t let that happen.  He is a fighter.  I knew that he had to have angels looking over him and they would get him back to himself.  I remember seeing him before he went into surgery when we thought we were going to lose him and he was sitting there on the examining table surrounded by those familiar voices that he knows and loves.  I have never seen my family so united as one in that moment.  I don’t think there was a dry face in that room.  We were all crying hysterically, holding on his paws and telling him to be strong and hold on.  I remember looking deep into his eyes and saying, it’s not your time, you better fight like hell and sure enough he did.

The hospital saved his life!  I couldn’t believe it.  I wanted to leap into the surgeon’s arms!  I remember once he was stable we were able to see him.  I don’t think I can ever get that image out of my head how he looked in that moment.  He was hooked up to a million tubes and was just laying there helpless.  I knew it was going to be a struggle for him to get back to normal but sure enough in a few days, he was back to his old self!

When I visit him, I cherish every single moment that I have with him.  He has come so far.  He has been there for each person in my family through everything.  He has been there for the good moments and the bad.  The good and the sad.  I truly think our lives would be empty without him.  He truly means everything to us.

So here’s to you, Oliver!  Happy 11th Birthday!  Even though, you are 11 today, you will always be our puppy!

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