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DRESSING THE DOG

Chapter 4 (Part Two)

Time was marching forward and we were all getting older.  Our sweet Bebe, the matriarch of the family, had sadly made the journey across the rainbow bridge and Sophie was struggling to stay with us.  She had suffered with varying health issues for most of her life and we coddled her like a baby chick.  We had added another girl to our family, little Addie Mae, and Sophie went mad with jealousy.  Addie Mae was only a baby, so they never fought, but she didn’t like her… not even a little bit.  She had always been mostly attached to my older brother and when he moved into his own apartment, he thought she would be happier with the rest of the gang… but now that was NOT the case.  Sophie was miserable.  Her health was declining and she was missing my brother so the decision was made for her to go and live with him and she turned into a new little girl!  She was never going to get better, but she was at least HAPPY.  One morning while Mummy and I were away on a trip, Sophie went into a coma and the painful decision was made to let her go.  Mummy and I raced back home where everyone was numb with grief.  Mummy said that no matter how long we live, it just isn’t long enough and the parents are never prepared for the end when it comes.  I had always loved Sophie and now she was gone.

 

Months passed since we had lost Sophie and Mummy was still sad.  She had been checking out Facebook, just aimlessly scrolling through the news feed when a random picture of a little RESCUED Yorkie caught her eye.  This little girl was in terrible shape.  Both of her eyes were terribly infected.  She had been severely neglected and starved to near death.  The vets weren’t sure if she would lose her sight or not.  Mummy’s heart broke in two and at that very moment… she had to have her!  She said later that she would never be able to say, exactly, what it was about THIS SPECIFIC BABY that spoke to her.  Because surely, she had seen HUNDREDS of RESCUE dogs posted on Facebook, but THIS was the one she had to have.  We were on our way out of town and the next post she saw was a picture of this same little doggie following surgery where indeed, one of her eyes had been removed.  The vets were hoping that she would have SOME vision in her remaining eye but only time would tell.  Mummy contacted the Rescue Group right away and filled out the form.  Within a few days, she was contacted, several questions were asked, and before we knew it… I was driving with Mummy to pick her up.  That little girl’s name was Tulip.  We would give her the middle name “Cherie” which is French for “darling.”  Tulip Cherie would slip into our family like she had always been there.  No one said a word.  She and Addie Mae would hang out most of the time and chase each other around the house.  Elvis was too old to bother anyone so he just watched as his domain was being invaded by GIRLS.  Katie ran around stealing everyone’s toys and causing mayhem, and I monitored EVERYTHING, because basically… I was the boss.  And this was our group now:  Elvis, Katie, Addie Mae, Tulip and me… Mummy’s little “Yorkshire terrorists.”

 

As Christmas approached, the family was all excited because we had friends arriving from Belgium.  Mr. Philippe, Ms. Laurence and their son Raphael would be staying with us over the holidays and the whole house was being decked out in festive decorations while Mummy meticulously planned the dinner menus.  They arrived on Christmas Eve and the plan was for everyone to go out to dinner and then come back and let our guests get a good night’s sleep.  It had only been a few hours since their arrival and they were tired from their long plane flight, so Mummy had made early dinner reservations.  Daddy took all of us into the back yard for one last potty and everyone went to get their coats.  Mummy was in the bedroom and heard a lot of commotion coming from the back yard.  WHAT IN THE WORLD?  She raced down the hall to find Daddy rushing through the back door, with everyone trailing behind him.  Everyone except me.  He was cradling me in his arms.  All Mummy remembers, as the world went BLACK, was Daddy saying, “The dog next door attacked Millie.  Get in the car!”  Mummy grabbed me from his arms and blood was everywhere.  My eyes were open but glazed over.  Mummy ran to tell our guests what happened.  She would have my human brothers pick up something for them to eat and call back later with a report.  We had to go.  My vet lives down the street and Mummy knew that his office would be closed, so Daddy drove to his house while Mummy cradled me in a blanket.  She was not crying though… she was just talking to me.  The vet and his family were JUST sitting down to their own Christmas dinner.  Everyone huddled in front of the headlights of the car while the vet took a quick look at me and said, “Meet me at my office!” and off we went.  We got to the office, an x-ray was done to see what had happened and an IV was started.  A few ribs had been broken and there was internal bleeding from several puncture wounds.  One wound had BARELY missed my lung which the vet said would have been fatal to a little dog my size.  Once he knew the extent of everything, he took me into surgery with his wife assisting.  Mummy went out on the big southern porch that stretched across the front of the office and sat down in a rocking chair… and that is when she cried for the first time.

When I came out of surgery, the vet said I really needed to be sent to the closest CRITICAL CARE facility which was about 1½ hours away.  He said that I needed pain medication throughout the night and I could not stay at his office since there was no one there to watch me.  Mummy reminded him that SHE was a nurse and could give me the shots and HE lived down the street so if anything happened, they could work together.  So that is how we spent our Christmas.  That first night Mummy kept me right beside her on the “big bed,” so afraid to even shut her eyes. She kept whispering how much she loved me, but what I really remember was her saying, “Millie, please don’t leave me… please don’t leave me.”  And I didn’t.

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Millie LaRue

Author Millie LaRue

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LYNDA Ward
LYNDA Ward
4 years ago

Such a horrible, scary moment for both u and your poor parents. I can imagine how your momma must of felt. I had a big dog come rushing out to grab my little ball of fluff. I didn’t see the dog until it was going to grab, but luckily some how my baby got out of his collar and ran so fast. My heart stopped, I had tears rolling down my face as I ran trying to keep track of them. But for some reason the dog stopped and returned back to it home and I was lucky my baby… Read more »

Cat Buckler
Cat Buckler
4 years ago

This chapter should have had a kleenex warning attached. That horrible accident is how I found you and Mummy. Been here ever since.

Sandy McDonald
Sandy McDonald
4 years ago

Oh boy, I am leaving a puddle of tears. Such a tiny little body, so sweet and so darling being bitten so fiercely . She is so very lucky to have you. I worry about Coyotes, hawks, owls and even snakes out here in Arizona, but never really consider another dog. God bless you…each and every one of you, no matter how many legs you all have. I am so happy the world is blessed with people like you to care for little creatures like Tulip and Millie. You were meant to be a Yorkie mom of many.

Bobbie Frye
Bobbie Frye
4 years ago

Millie, I loved reading about how your family all got together! I remember when you got attacked by the dog and I can still remember the pictures mummy put on your page with you lying on the sofa with bandages wrapped around your little body….. I was sending many many prayers for you and I knew God was in control and you were going to be fine! And here you are, writing stories for all of us!!!

Waunita
4 years ago

Enjoy reading this so much. Thank you and Mummy .

Waunita
4 years ago

Enjoy reading this so much Millie and mummy. Thank you.

Sheila Allen
Sheila Allen
4 years ago

Love your stories. I can just imagine how scared you and Mummy n Daddy were that Christmas. So glad you are ok. Keep writing Mummy and Millie

Jacqueline Turner
Jacqueline Turner
4 years ago

We spent a lot of time praying for you when you were hurt, Millie. We are so grateful our Great Big God cares about all creatures great and small, and healed you! He loves you and your mommy so much!

MaryAnne Myler
MaryAnne Myler
4 years ago

Tears….

Dolarosa Power
Dolarosa Power
4 years ago

Oh gosh I have tears running down my checks reading about your attack! How awful! I was okay until I read your mommy whispering please don’t leave me. That was heartbreaking and I’m glad you didn’t! I’ve had three beautiful yorkies who have passed over the Bridge and I am so sad without them. I love reading about how you all came to be a family.

Michele
4 years ago

I remember this so well because this was when I started to follow your page . I really prayed hard for you to make it

Michele Christaldi
Michele Christaldi
4 years ago

I remember this because this is when I started to follow you. I needed to know you was alright . I prayed so hard for you Miss Millie

Roxann Brousseau
Roxann Brousseau
4 years ago

I remember that tragedy. I prayed, and prayed for you. So thankful that you stayed with mommy.

Elaine Cardell
Elaine Cardell
4 years ago

Oh that brought the tears back from that horrible day.. Such a tragic thing to happen, and we all prayed and hoped all would be well. With mom’s excellent nursing, you recovered. Thanks for telling the rest of the story.

Laura Seavers
Laura Seavers
4 years ago

Leaky eyes! You are so lucky to have your vet so close by and willing to take care of this emergency. Bless him. Also, the fact that mommy is a nurse helped to save your life. Not such good Christmas memories though. Love you girls! ❤️❤️❤️

Monica Karroum
Monica Karroum
4 years ago

Thanks God you were saved! and this sad memories are in the past! I did read the article about this accident before.. but I cried once again! !! 🙁 Your mommy Loves you !! and I;m glad you stay alive and didn’t leave her!
Big Kiss Millie!! and Your Mom Rocks!!

Susan Calvert
Susan Calvert
4 years ago

I know the story. I picnicked with you and the girls last year! I’m still in tears! Thanks, Darsey!! (lol…)
You should win a Pulitzer Prize for your descriptive writing!

Leslee Ziegler
Leslee Ziegler
4 years ago

I remember when it happened. I was horrified and so worried about you. We are all so happy that you were nursed back to health by your Mummy. I love reading your weekly updates!

Linda Caster
Linda Caster
4 years ago

With tears streaming down, I’m so grateful there is a happy ending to this story!

Tawn Gelvin
Tawn Gelvin
4 years ago

This story brings tears to my eyes each time I read it. Bless your heart sweet millie.

Lisa Easley
Lisa Easley
4 years ago

Love You Lots Sweetie Millie and Your Mummy Too Thanks For Everything That you Did For Me Darsey Ill Never Forget it you Got Me Through a ROUGH Time and I Know im Going To Make it Now and Be Better Love ya Luci and Lisa And im Soo Glad that Millie Pulled Through And That You Rescued Tulip your One of a Kind

Barb Pesola
4 years ago

I’m crying thinking of poor Millie and my Angel (Maltese) who was also attacked. She made it as well but it was a long difficult recovery. ❤️❤️

Sue
Sue
4 years ago

?

Maggie McMann
4 years ago

Oh a box of kleenex later…what a story…we love you Millie and so happy for your recuperating from this fiasco

Sandy Newman
Sandy Newman
4 years ago

Hi Millie, Ok… going to try and get through this.. I did’t know you when that happened to you…. I am so sorry that it did. I can only imagine how scared you must have been, and your parents too! So glad that your doctor lived down the street and your mummy is a nurse and was able to take you home and nurse you back to health! Thank God! Staying in the hospital would have been scary as well without your mummy and daddy! You know….. the reason I found you and your mummy is your name. Yes, I… Read more »

Wendy Scoggins
Wendy Scoggins
4 years ago

Oh how horrible…and at Christmas! I just sniffled as losing a loved one, especially like that…..just heartbreaking! So glad you made it! Strong Millie!

Karen Greco
Karen Greco
4 years ago

I remember that terrible night. Was so happy when you were on the road to recovery. All our prayers were answered. Love you and your sisters and Mummy too (of course). ??

Kaye Davidson
Kaye Davidson
4 years ago

I remember this all too well. We prayed for you and Mummy. I know you survived because You had such wonderful care from her. She knew just what to do and say to get you all better. Hugs!

Rebecca L Fisher
Rebecca L Fisher
4 years ago

Hi Millie and Mummy, I can’t believe I’m crying I held you and Tulip last year I know you are okay. But I also remember how sad I was 2014 how hard it was to get up every day with the loss of my best friend and my younger sister I didn’t have a lot to get up for. Then I read your Mummy’s post always wanting a Yorkie I felt for you both and started praying and checking back on you several times a day. You gave me a reason to get up and to go on, you have… Read more »

Linda Roster
Linda Roster
4 years ago

I too am a yorkie mommy and your story is beautiful . I follow your post on Facebook. Thank You Millie for your bravery and Love for your family. Your sisters are Beautiful too.

Carol Amick
Carol Amick
4 years ago

I knew this story was coming….. And it still brings tears to my eyes! I am so glad you listened to Mummy Millie!

Linda Silvester
Linda Silvester
4 years ago

OMG Millie, Ive seen mention of this event, but had no idea how horrible it was. Soooooo thankful you came through it all ok. ❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤?

Dawn Dupuis
Dawn Dupuis
4 years ago

Oh sweet Millie, How sorry I am to hear this. But with your mummy’s love and expertise and both your pawrents quick response to get you to a dogtor with God’s healing love, I am thankful that you recovered.

Vicki Entze
Vicki Entze
4 years ago

I loved reading how the story started from the beginning. Like many I found you and your sweet Mimmy right after the attack happened. I prayed for you and held my precious fur babies closer. Even though I knew this part was coming I still cried because we had a tragedy happen around the same time and we lost our little boy Harley. I’m so glad I got to meet you all last summer and loved giving you girls a hug.. Darcy I think you should turn this into a book. I’m sure like your cook book it would do… Read more »

Susan Thomas
Susan Thomas
4 years ago

I remember this terrible time I get tears in my eyes just reading about it again. I was so afraid and prayed so hard for you and your family. I’m so glad your Vet is so close and came to help you during the holiday I can’t imagine what could have happened…. it just reminds me of a quote I read one time that is so profound ” things you can’t imagine happening in your lifetime can happen in the blink of an eye “

Carol
Carol
4 years ago

Millie that was to close of a call, poor mommy and daddy and at Christmas and company I don’t know how you all made it thru. So happy things went well it was a Christmas miracle ??????

Kay Sheets
Kay Sheets
4 years ago

Oh I can’t even imagine that happening to one of my little girls. My Daisy is like Millie I’m so afraid to take her out for walks in case there might be a big dog out there somewhere! How scary !??❤️❤️

Vicki Lynn Barkley
Vicki Lynn Barkley
4 years ago

oh my I am writing this thru tears! Such a scary time. So thankful this little love bug made it thru ok!

kim a height
kim a height
4 years ago

Oh Millie, I missed this part of your life… I am so sorry for what happened, but am grateful you have recuperate.

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