I want to share with you the tragic
news of the passing of Otis, a very special puppymill Maltese, from
the infamous Hollybelle Maltese puppymill seizure in January 2004.
Otis was born only two months before the seizure, so the medical
problems you will read about here were congenital and were the
result of breeding for GREED!
Otis was loved very much by a friend
of mine, and she shared his story with us - the other puppymill dog
owners.
I knew Otis and he was precious. In
fact, he closely resembled one of my puppymill dogs, one of
Siliski's stud dogs. It is very possible that Pooh Bear was Otis'
father.
To my knowledge, this is the first
Maltese we have lost from this puppymill that was this young! I can
assure you that he got the very best of care in his new mommy's
house and arms.
Saving
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OTIS
I have
very sad news to share with each of you. My precious little
Otis died on January 31st. Otis was only 3 years old. For
those of you who knew him, knew what a spunky little guy he was
(all 4 pounds of him) and that he was one of a kind!! Otis was
the life of our house---he was always on the move and doing
funny things---memories that I now hold close to my
heart. There will never be another Otis--he was special. His
death has been heartbreaking and ever so painful. Otis and I
had a very special connection and an intense bond. Now I know
that there was nothing anyone could have done to save
him----believe me I tried and was willing to do whatever it
took.
Otis
became sick very suddenly. He always appeared to be a very
happy and healthy little guy until January 22nd. When I got home
from work that day I knew he was seriously ill---and it happened
so quickly. Otis was under the very best vet care and was
eventually taken to the UT Small Animal Clinic where he died. I
just received results back on Otis this week. Otis had many
congenital abnormalities----he had cephalitis, an abnormal
heart, a collapsing trachea, fetus-like kidneys (they were very
very small with no infrastructure--they had never developed), an
abnormal liver, and bowel disease. We all know why he was this
way---the tragedy of horrible breeding---JS has successfully
again made a little one suffer so much---it was unbearable to
see Otis that sick---but the every time when I would go to visit
him he would manage some way to wag his little tail at me. I
was so fortunate to have this little guy in my life even if it
was a short period of time.
I am
sharing a poem that I have selected in Otis's memory---I do
believe I will see him again. I have also attached a pic (Otis
is on the left---the one with the big eyes). I had professional
pics taken on Nov 22nd with no thought that he would be dead in
2 months. Please give all your guys a hug for me---love to
everyone----nw.
I ONLY
WANTED YOU
They say memories are golden
well maybe that is true.
I never wanted memories,
I only wanted you.
A million times I needed you,
a million times I cried.
If love alone could have saved you
you never would have died.
In life I loved you dearly,
In death I love you still.
In my heart you hold a place
no one could ever fill.
If tears could build a stairway
and heartache make a lane,
I'd walk the path to heaven
and bring you back again.
Our family chain is broken,
and nothing seems the same.
But as God calls us one by one,
the chain will link again.
Author unknown
