A Friend in Need

Bethany had always wanted a dog since she was 3 years old but she couldn’t as one of her brothers had asthma.  But one day – ten years on, her wish came true when a low-moulting cockapoo, Millie came into Bethany’s life!

From the moment they picked up Millie from the breeder, it was instant love!Millie was the little tinker – she was not with her siblings but instead was in the garden, in a hurry to explore the big world.  When she arrived home, she quickly became very much a part of the family and extended family! In fact Millie became such an essential part of Bethany’s world.

Bethany was bullied in high school and stayed home a lot. It was Millie who listened to her troubles and stayed by her side. They became best friends. And when Bethany’s Nan was diagnosed with aggressive breast cancer, Millie was a rock for her mum, Diane.  On days when Diane could not face the harsh realities, she would go for walks with Millie.  She was a real pick-me-up during those difficult days.

Millie was a friend in need.

Though Millie had a bad tummy (gastritis) while she was growing up and had to be put on a special diet, you would never have known.  She was always playful and happy.  She was obsessive with balls and pinched socks every night to sleep with. Then one day when Bethany took Millie for a walk at Caldecott Park, she noticed that Millie was getting more tired than usual.  She wasn’t her usual self.  Her family took her to the vet, thinking she just needed a vitamin B12 booster. The vets did a few tests on her and found that her bloods were very low with some other irregularities.  They suggested that they take her to Willows Animal Hospital to do more tests.

After x-rays, blood tests, blood transfusion and bone marrow biopsy – the diagnosis was that Millie had a very rare form of cancer in dogs. She had large granular leukaemia. Both her red and white cells were low. Her haemoglobin (clotting agents) was also low which meant that they had to be very careful with her.  They had no idea how much time she had left as they have never seen this cancer in a dog. The news was devastating.

Millie home from Willows

Her family gave her the best chance they possibly could! She was given anti-cancer drugs (as white cells too low for chemo), steroids and antibodies to help her.  Millie wasn’t ready to go anywhere! But three weeks later, she was nearing her end. Bethany rushed back from college in time to say good bye.  On 20th May this year, little Millie’s heart gave out and passed away in Diane’s arms.

Millie: 20 June 2008 – 20 May 2014

The family was heartbroken. Over the years Millie was the core of the family.  Friends from the world of doodles felt their pain, understood the gaping hole Millie left and all those who read about Millie grieved alongside the family.

Then through all this, something beautiful happened … and as Bethany’s mum said, “winning the lottery is not always money. It is what it means to you.”

Someone called Caz in response to Bethany’s story said that if she was a breeder, she would happily give one to Bethany to help to fill that big gaping hole. Then Tamara (not a breeder) who had just had a surprise litter of puppies – had a thought! She then sent Bethany and her Mum this message –

“… I’ve been reading on Doodlemania all about the sad loss of your lovely Millie. It is quite plain to see how much you all loved her and now miss her greatly.  Whenever Bethany writes about Millie it just breaks my heart. Well the reason I’m writing is that we have some puppies and I would like you to have one as a gift for being such a kind and loving family to Millie. Of course if you’re not ready yet I will totally understand or if for some other reason you’d rather not that’s ok but I hope you’re not offended as that was not my intention and I apologise if I have. I think you’re wonderful people and I know any dog would be safe in your hands. xxx”

To be continued …

May’s comment: As told to me by Bethany and Diane