{Straight From the Heart} *Nat's Big Win* 2/09/00
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Nat's Big Win
by Richard Sparrow
Our beloved greyhound, Natalie died last summer. The years of joy
she brought to us can not be put into words.
We adopted Nat from her owner in the winter of 1989. She had raced at
Lincoln, Rhode Island, and was retired at 2 1/2 because she never won
a race! The owner had two and let a friend of ours in East Douglas know
that unless they were adopted, he would have to have them put to sleep.
My wife and I have always had a dog, but were skeptical about how well
a racer would adapt to being a pet. No worry! She is, without a single
doubt, the most wonderful dog we have ever had!!
Natalie can be dead to the world, but turns into a leaping maniac at
the words, "Do you want to go for a ride?" so we and friends of ours
(her "second parents") take her along. It was Labor Day Weekend in
1994 -- Nat and I headed for our home on the Cape Thursday evening -
with my wife to follow on Friday evening. Late Friday afternoon, I
took her to run at the little league field near our home in Orleans
-- and run she did. Racing as fast as her legs could take her (and
faster, no doubt, than she ever did at the track!!) she wove in and
out of the chain link fence as she always did -- running out into the
woods, then darting back onto the field. It was after about 5 minutes
of craziness that she headed back into the field and -- to my horror
-- didn't see the chain link fence. I hollered when I saw what was
happening, but it was too late. At a good 45 mph Nat ran right into
the chain link fence -- throwing her, screaming, up into the air --
and smashing her down on the ground. I ran over to where she lay and
just knew that she was mortally wounded. Blood was coming out of every
orifice in her body -- her bowels had let go -- and she had a six inch
gash in the front of her neck, with blood flowing from there also. I
didn't know what to do. No one was around -- there was no phone and my
dog lay dying at my feet. There was nothing I could do for her -- no
way to stop the bleeding. Her chest was heaving and she was having
trouble breathing because of the flow of blood from her nose and mouth.
I looked up the steep hill to where my friend's Cherokee was parked and
knew that I had to get her up there if she were to have any chance.
Twice I tried to pick her up, but that tore the wound on her neck
even more and made her cry. All through this time (that seemed like
an eternity to both of us) Nat never took her eyes off me.
I looked at her and sensed from her these words, "I don't know what to
do, but if you tell me, I'll do it!" In desperation I said, "Nat,
you've got to get up." Slowly and painfully she struggled to her
feet -- still with her eyes on me. "Nat", I said, "I can't carry
you -- you've got to climb the hill." To this day, I have no idea
how she did it, but she put one foot ahead of the other and followed
me up the steep hill leading from the ball field to the parking lot.
The blood was still running from her when we reached the Cherokee.
Here was the car I had borrowed from my friend and here was the back
end without a blanket. l hated to think of blood all over Ron's
Cherokee, but I also hated to think of loosing Nat. So, I opened up
the back and said, "Natty, you've got to jump up in here." -- and
without hesitating, up she jumped. I got behind the wheel and she
moved up and put her chin on my shoulder -- and never moved it until
we got to the house. As luck (?) would have it, my wife had just
driven in the driveway. I hollered to her what had happened and asked
her to call a Vet (why would one be available on Friday evening of a
holiday weekend?) and within two minutes she came running out of the
house saying that Eastham Veterinary Clinic was open and would be
expecting us. She got in the Cherokee and the three of us headed to
Eastham. Nat, still bleeding and shaking, remained on her feet, until
we arrived at the Clinic. Dr. Goffi came out and met Nat at the back
of the Cherokee -- helped her down and carefully led her into the Office.
The outcome? Nat's neck required many stitches and the official
diagnosis was "severe trauma to her system". The doctor fear that
the stitches wouldn't hold because her skin was so bruised -- but
they held. After a week's hospitalization, I picked her up and she
was as good as new. But, for the remainder of her life, there was
something "extra special" between Nat and me, for I think we both
remembered that day when she looked at me and put her life in my
hands -- "You tell me what to do and I'll do it" -- and even though
it was impossible, she did it!
What happened in that life and death second? I believe she sensed the
chain link fence at the last instant. Rather than hitting it with her
head, full force (which would have broken her neck), she ended up
going up the fence with her neck being punctured and torn by a long
bolt holding the fence in place.
On her first visit to the Veterinarian when we adopted her in 1989, I
told Dr. Verbridge that she had left the track early because she was a
looser. His response was quick -- "Oh no, she's the winner!!" Well, on
that Labor Day weekend evening, Nat won again -- and so did all of us
who loved her dearly!
We still miss her terribly - but when we retire and are home more,
we'll be adopting another greyhound!
Dick Sparrow
sparrow@sprynet.com
Send Dick an email and let him know what you thought of his story!
A little bit about Dick:
The Sparrows live in Grafton, Massachusetts, where she is a first grade
teacher in the town of Southborough and he is an Area Minister with the
Massachusetts Conference, United Church of Christ . . . serving as
resource/consultant to 111 congregations in the middle of the state.
REQUEST:
Please remember to continue praying for Baby Zachary and Jessica!
From: Beals7ofus@aol.com (Donna Beals)
Zachary 2/8/00
I went up to see my little buddy this morning with Jessica. I stayed
until about 11:30. He had a bit of a rough night. They ended up
putting the suction back on his tummy tube and upping his morphine.
So that means no feeding until possibly tomorrow sometime if he does
well. He was very comfortable when I was there but also very sensitive
to sounds. Lots of bleeps and beeps so he had on some itty bitty ears
covers. They didn't do much so they didn't stay on long. It worked
better to put the blanket close to his ears and hold him close. The
orthopedic surgeon had not come in before I had to head out but the
Resident Dr. said that Zachary would be put into a sling harness for
his hips later in the day (Tuesday). I will let you know if that is
what happens. thanks again for your prayers! ~donna
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Thought For The Day:
"What a big difference there is between giving advice and lending a
hand."
(Waterloo)
Verse for the Day:
"Little children, let us stop just saying we love people; let us
really love them, and show it by our actions."
1 John 3:18
Kid's Thought For The day:
"When you get a bad grade in school, show it to your mom when
she's on the phone."
Parent's Thought For The Day
"A successful marriage requires falling in love many times,
always with the same person."
(Mignon McLaughlin)
Coach's Thought For The Day
"Success is how high you bounce after you hit bottom."
(General George S. Patton)
Deep Thought For The Day:
"She's always late. Her ancestors arrived on the Juneflower."
_
/_/\/\ MICHAEL T. POWERS
\_\ / THUNDER27@aol.com http://members.aol.com/Thunder27/index.html
/_/ \ "For I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but
\_\/\ \ Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body I live for the Son
\_\/ of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me." Galatians 2:20
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