The Face That Launched a Rescue

Late in the Afternoon, Golda, the Golden Dog with 10 Lives (one more than cats),

Lost Her Final Arm-Wrestle with Life

A love affair that began nearly 4 years ago with a strong-willed, highly intelligent and tough old lady doxie, ended

September 1, 2010, in the late afternoon when our dear sweet girl passed away in her sleep as she lounged in her

carriage. For too much of our time together we were locked in mortal battle with disease and recovery from 4

major surgeries. Yet, each time she triumphed over the odds…she seemed to grow more empowered, and, much

more bossy!

Sunday – August 29, 2010 -- That Sunday we thought she

turned a corner as Golda sat propped on my knees with the sun

hitting her snout and the wind in her ears. We were all so content

and hopeful we’d be celebrating her “rebirthday” (day of her

rescue) in October.

The Face that

Launched a

Rescue – October

2006

Only 4 short years ago, about a year after we had moved to Miami from

Washington, DC -- I was blissfully ignorant of the horrors facing unwanted

dogs in South Florida. By accident I saw this MDAS listing: White and tan

dachshund female, age unknown. While, I laughingly (and often sobbingly)

tell people I no longer have ‘a life’-- thanks to some of the most incredible people I’ve ever known … more than 300

formerly unwanted doxies DO have a life. Here Golda and I sit in October 2006, waiting for her photo shoot to begin for

her “available for adoption” bio. Yeah, we were fated not to part…not that anyone could’ve pried my arms away – even

then, Golda had my heart. I ask you, how could anyone turn that face away!

Mom and Dad were not the only

ones smitten – for Golda and

Linky it was a match of soul-

mates almost from the start…

though at times they fought like

an old married couple. Still, in the

stroller Golda always rested her

head on ‘her Lincoln’ and Linky

returned the favor by sleeping on the floor right next to her pillow

whenever we left them alone in the condo.

Two Peas in a Pod –

Golda would

sometimes climb in

with Linky even though

her spacious matching

bed was right next to his. Neither one much cared for being alone. As much as

Linky became Lou’s sidekick, Golda became my shadow…my constant

companion. In the end, when Golda’s anxieties got the best of her, the only

thing that would calm her was to cuddle in my lap.

We did everything as a family. And Golda was only too happy to accommodate dressing the part. Ok, OK, she tolerated it.

Here Golda is dressed for New Years. Guess like other seniors,

she’d rather be in bed – that said, she and Linky were a BIG hit

on Lincoln Road in South Beach. Below, they are stretched out

in their coats for “First Tinkle” on a winter morning.

Golda loved the beach and chasing seagulls. Bo Derek -- eat your heart out!

… but she always preferred to nap on mom at the end of a day riding the waves.

Like her namesake (Golda Mier the former Prime Minister of Israel) Golda faced her many health challenges with

stubbornness and stoic grace. From her “rebirthday” as a member of our family, Golda spent 10 days in the hospital

fighting back from the pneumonia so many seniors develop when their heartless owners leave them to die at the shelter.

A year after we adopted Golda a routine physical identified a cyst on her

spleen and our 11 year tough girl faced odds of a 70% likelihood that it

would be cancer. As she would go on to do 3 more times with 3 more

surgeries in 3 years – Golda was triumphant! Here she is in a true Golda-esk

stance arriving at Coral Springs Animal Hospital for her spleenectomy (can

you just guest what she’s thinking – “that says hospital…get me the heck out

of here!.”) Sadly, when Coral Springs removed Golda’s spleen they found

something even more challenging: by-lateral adrenal cancer. The cancers

were determined to be “inoperable,” at least for the surgeon at Coral Springs

Hospital. Undaunted, Golda packed up the whole family and we headed for the Colorado State University Animal Cancer

Center where Golda’s “inoperable tumor” was removed. After a wonderful 18 months of great health, the whole family

packed up again and traveled to FSU in Gainsville (Linky also needed minor surgery so we he too was going to be treated

at FSU) to have the remaining gland removed.

Heartbreakingly, while Golda walked out of the hospital triumphant yet again…Linky’s minor surgery became a 2 ½ hour

ordeal and his old heart gave out under the stress. Linky passed away in Gainsville and a big piece of our hearts died

that day with him.

Through it all the illnesses and the loss of Linky, there was Golda. When recovery seemed most impossible, the odds

unlikely – each time, our Golda came back to us. Our time with both Golda and Linky may have been short, but together

they so changed Lou and my lives forever. Four years can be a lifetime.

Together the 4 of us climbed mountains and let the wind blow through our

ears.

Together we celebrated all the major holidays from the 4th of July to

Chanukah and the New Year --- we were a team!

Together we explored rapids… Celebrated Fathers Day & Took lots and lots of naps.

But, even Golda had her limits. Following both their surgeries in Gainesville in October 2009 and Linky’s passing, Golda

never seemed to be the same. Our once unstoppable and often implacable little girl grew weaker and more dependent.

Between January and August 2010 she experienced a series of seizures, each one

seemed to leave her a little more deficited and finally a major seizure caused by a

bad reaction to a new medication put her into a coma …Still, our Golda fought for life

one last time. Though her back legs were then too weakened to walk without

support – a new doggie cart gave her back the mobility and speed she craved. We

set up a little doxi-go-course on the patio so outside, as well as, at doggie daycare,

Golda could run around till she exhausted herself.

Seeing Golda re-energized by her cart, no one would ever again tell me that a disabled doxi who needs a cart to get

around – “is suffering.”

In the end, having Golda in our lives taught us so much – how to face adversity and keep on going; how to never make a

medical decision without first doing research and consulting multiple veterinarians …but mostly, loving Golda thought us

how precious every day is when you rescue a pet. Having Golda in our lives, we lived a lifetime in 4 short years.

May you always feel the sun on your face, the wind in your ears and see a little bit of Golda in

your rear view mirror…

HERE’S LOOKING AT YOU KID!