The Tale of Molly

April 2, 2003: Molly arrives at airport from lethbridge. She is extremely small, and scared. Mother and Sister go to pick her up.

She lives a happy go lucky life style. Her attitude is of a rather dumb animal, however, when she needs to, she can act smart.

Around February 2006: Tia suffers a back injury. Her fate doesn't look too happy. She is bed ridden for eight weeks. Molly respectfully watches as tia bares through the pain. Tia makes full recovery.

September 16, 2008: Molly wakes up with severe back injury. By noon is is paralyzed from the waist down. Family is very supportive of the poor dog, and hopes that she might recover.

September 18, 2008: No advancements have been made with molly's condition. Father speaks with the vet. Together, Father and Vet set appointment to have molly euthanized on Saturday September 20, and 1:00 PM.

September 19, 2008: The three de Lima children keep happy attitudes to try to lift Molly's spirit. Sean goes to feed her. As he lowers her bowl of breakfast down to the paraplegic, Molly looks up at Sean with radiant, life filled eyes. No medication is given to molly that day.

Before heading off to school, Sean ventures to Father, and asks, "Is a wheelchair totally out of question?" Father looks down at feet and replies, "There are too many complications"

Sean goes to school only for three hours. He returns home to spend the last twenty-four hours with his beloved dog. He gets home at 12:45 PM.

Sean sits with the disabled dog until Brother gets home at 4:45PM. Brother would like a turn sitting with molly for a while.

Sean retreats to basement to sulk in pitty for the animal. He goes to his computer, and starts to research dog wheelchairs. The concept had always been known to him, but he needs to find out specifics. After google image searching "Dog Wheelchairs" he discovers the majority of the images are of dachshunds. This gives him hope. He clicks on one of the pictures, and reads a short article. "Just because they are paralyzed, does not mean their lives are a right off." Sean has a slight light of hope. After further investigation he finds out more about the miracle of the wheel chair, and in rare instances, completely paralyzed dogs have been known to recover.

The time is 5:57PM. Sean attempts another audience with Father. Sean: "Is this really the only way?" Father: "I don't know... I just don't know..." Father Leaves to play hockey.

6:15 PM, Mother comes home. She witnesses a bright eyed dog sitting on a blanket. She greets Brother and Sister. She goes to the basement to see Sean. She enters living space of Sean.

Mother: "How ya' do'in?"
Sean: "uh.. meh.. you know?"
Mother: "So, what exactly is the plan?"
Sean: "Dad booked an appointment to have molly put down.. tomorrow"
Mother: "Yes yes.. are you ok?"
Sean: "Well, I have been doing some readings, and I think we are jumping to conclusions. I have read a few articles about mini dachshunds with the exact same problem, and they all go on to live happy normal lives. I think we should consider a wheel chair."
Mother: "Well, we'll see..."

Sean and Mother converse about different examples of paralyzed dogs that are happy. Within twenty minutes Sean has convinced Mother that killing the dog is a rushed decision, and that we have to try alternative methods before making an undoable action.

7:00-8:00PM Mother and Sean attend a yoga class.

8:20 PM, Sean and Mother return from yoga. They enter the house. Mother encourages Molly to walk around. While she is paralyzed, Molly has enought will to live that she is able to walk around with only her two front feet. When tempted with cheese by Sister, she walks even faster.

Father arrives home around 8:35 PM. He comes into the kitchen, where Sean and Mother are both sitting. He looks sad. A short conversation between the three takes place. Neither Sean, nor Mother will let Molly be killed without first trying different methods of living. They talk to Father about the different ways of life we must choose to live, and he ends up agreeing.

Brother is slightly hesitant of the prospect of having a (in the words of mother) "Cripple Dog" but everyone's spirits are lifted. Sean drinks a bit too much wine and e mails friends of the details and circumstances of his soon to be wheelchair pet.

The best part is, this story is

TO BE CONTINUED!!!!!


We will not be killing Molly while she has so much life left in her. But we will have to make changes. I just wanted to fill you all in on the details that transpired over the last four days. I appreciate it if you actually read this whole note. And I thank you for your support and kind words.