Dooney retires

Dear Readers: As many of you already know, this week marks another major milestone at Altimira Veterinary Hospital. Dunstable Dooney Dunsmuir, age nine, our beloved and treasured mascot, soothsayer, greeter and dog-nurse for the past seven years, retired permanently. Voted best business mascot in Sonoma Valley 2008, he was much more than a mascot: he was an outright celebrity.  After he was given to me by a client who could no longer keep him, he began a meteoric ascent to stardom in this one-horse town.  Quickly, word spread throughout Sonoma that there was a speckled chunky bulldog with a winning personality, a big wrinkly head, and bulging eyes coming off the side of its head, people couldn’t resist coming in and meeting him.  Eventually, even simple walks around the Square became difficult due to hoards of people who would stop me to ask about him.  When myriads of strangers stop a sweet, plump, juicy block-headed dog every 15 feet during his walk to marvel at his beauty, elegance, and peaceful demeanor, it can take over an hour to circle the square.

For several years, Dooney has tolerated many challenging diseases including severe allergies, arthritis, and eye problems. He has undergone surgery for mass removals, been hospitalized for pneumonia, and been close to death on numerous occasions.  Two years ago he was diagnosed with diabetes insipidus, a somewhat rare condition that prevented him from concentrating urine.  Like everything else he has been through in his life, he was a trooper through that complicated diagnosis and has done well on vasopressin drops twice daily into his eyes. But his hip and elbow dysplasia have been painful to the point of agony, even beyond the point where pharmaceuticals can keep him comfortable.   A few weeks ago a bone in his elbow separated and fractured.  Nobody really noticed anything different from him because he is such a hard worker, greeting each and every customer at Altimira with the same big bloodshot eyes and bewildered yet lovely greeting.  However his slight limp increased until we X-rayed him and discovered the problem.  Unfortunately, with almost non-functional rear legs and a spine that is painful and barely able to support his frame, the necessary surgery to correct it is not a viable option.

So after much discussion, many kisses, tears, group discussion, group hugs, and even consulting a well respected pet psychic who asked Dooney several questions, we made the decision to let Dooney retire permanently before his condition becomes more painful.

I have never had a pet that I loved so much or adored so much in my entire life.  He has been my business partner, my buddy, and the guy who has shown me unconditional love through some good times and some rough times.  He is a glorious soul and it has been our joy and honor to be on his team.  I can only hope that I’ve brought him one ounce of the love and joy he has given to me through these years – and if I have done so, then our time together was well spent. – Dr. F