Love, It Seemed, Just Wasn't Enough.

     When my husband Scott and I married, we decided not to have children. Instead we chose to have a puppy. Scott knew a young Labrador retriever would be the ideal pet for us. He was confident about our decision, so I, a never-before dog owner, quietly stood by, allowing him to take the  lead. I never would've admitted, but, as insecure as it sounds, I just hoped that whatever dog we chose, I would love it, and it would love me back.


 

     During our search, Scott saw a FOUND DOG notice featuring a black lab puppy a rancher had posted on the wall at our local animal hospital. Calling to inquire if anyone had come forward yet to claim the dog, he was told to come by, if interested, could take him, as no one had responded to the flyers. The rancher believed the dog had been tossed from a car traveling near his property.
     Upon arriving, the dog bounded up to Scott and peed on his shoe. That's when my husband knew --- he was the one.
    We named him CODY, and fell deeply in love.  He was such a little thing, but sure could pee a lot, and definitely was not potty-trained. The neighbors next door, were foster parents of three brown labs, so CODY instantly had friends to bark along with.
     Right away, we took him to the vet to have him examined, micro chipped, and neutered. The doctor determined he was about four months old. Scott and I picked a day to be CODYS forever birthday, February 4th. 
     Soon after, at the vet for a follow-up, we mentioned to the doctor that his nose was only getting wet on one side, while the other was dry and sensitive. After examining CODY, the doctor determined his left ear canal was blocked, and  he was unable to get a scope in it. Concerned, he ordered a cat-scan. The results were devastating: CODY had a large mass in his brain, near his ear, that required surgery.
     Within a week or two, CODY began experiencing pain requiring medication every few hours. Each evening, I made peanut butter sandwich squares to feed him throughout the night, tucking the pain medicine inside. I would lie with him in his bed, holding and comforting him the best I could, praying for a miracle.
     Poor as we were, we didn't even have the money to pay for the cat-scan, much less the brain surgery. We were told our CODY would die without it. He had a major infection that grew into a mass affecting the entire left ear, including the canal, causing it to have to be removed, and the outer ear sewn shut. The surgery was dangerous -- he would lose his hearing in one ear, but the operation could save his life.
     We sought a second opinion, and a third, and interviewed a few surgeons. The first didn't even make eye contact with CODY or touch him. Unimpressed, we left.
     Each day, CODY yelped a little more, his jaw beginning to slack, and we knew time was running out. Many advised us to put him down, but he was "Our Boy", and we could never give up on him. We felt that someone else had already given up on him, and dumped him out in the country. When we chose to rescue CODY, that rescue meant through good times and bad. He needed us now more than ever. We simply refused to quit!
     I began searching  online day and night, applying for grants to find some organization to help us with his operation. Every day our hearts swelled with love for our CODY.  We felt so helpless. All we had to give this dog was love. Love, it seemed  in this case, just wasn't  enough.
      We received a portion of the money through a grant from Labrador Lifeline, the rest through a private organization in the form of a loan. These life-saving blessings provided the miracle we had been hoping for.


Cody & Tortellini

Three Years

   The surgery center we chose oohed  and awed over  our puppy, and took such great care of him.



 He came through the surgery with flying colors! The doctor did such a great job sewing his ear shut, you can barely tell there was ever anything wrong with him. Both sides of his jowls remain slack, and his nose still doesn't get wet,  but his painful ordeal is all behind him now. CODY has exceptional hearing in his good ear.
He is our champion.
      From the very beginning, CODY  has always been a terrific dog.  He seems grateful, like we are, just to have each other in our lives. He's  super good-looking, very personable, gentle, patient, and loving. He's a fantastic guard dog, loyal friend and comforter. Our big baby hasn't missed a meal yet, and  never passes up a good carne asada burrito. He currently weighs 110 pounds, so we limit his Mexican food consumption. We refer to CODY as "The World's Greatest Dog". He has become family. We like to say that CODY rescued us because our lives are forever changed for the better. We love you, CODY! Thank you for loving me back.


Cody with Mom & Dad