Most of you will have seen the thread on the severe illness of Dozer, the English Bulldog of our fellow member Adam Hamm ("thor447") in Oklahoma City:
http://www.rohrbaughforum.com/index.php?topic=6108.0
The post to that thread by "BlueC2" started me thinking about the spirit of fraternity created by this Forum that Duane ("DDGator") has provided for us. And the entire thread brought to mind a "best friend" I once had (a Vizsla named "Gypsy") and the extraordinary expense it once took to save her.
With those things in mind, I communicated directly with Adam about his effort to save Dozer and was informed that his veterinary bills have already reached $3,800 and that he is selling off some of his vintage Colts to help defray the costs. I then asked him if he would object if we established a "Dozer Fund" through the Forum to help save this pup that had in some ways appeared to have become sort of an unofficial mascot for a Forum dedicated to the pistol some of us affectionately call the "Pup." This was Adam's response:
"I am humbled at your suggestion. I have placed a few of my old Colts up for sale to help offset the veterinarian costs that I have incurred so far. To speak bluntly, so far my total costs is just at 3800.00. I hate to part with my guns, but I am reminded that they are only guns and there will be a time when I can acquire them again. I am again honored that you would think of such a wonderful thing. My first reaction is to decline contributions, for the simple reason that I am not accustomed to such acts of generosity. However, the reality of the situation that it is expensive, and any help I can get would certainly be appreciated. I do not really know how such an operation would be handled, but if you can think of a way that it could be organized, I'm surely grateful.
"As of right now, I have spoken with the veterinarian and as of yet, they have not been able to slow down the abscess growth, but they have got his fever down from 107 back to 101 (which I am told is in the normal range for a dog). We are waiting on some more blood work tests to come back and he is going to have a few other tests done tomorrow to see if they can find the root cause of the infection in his body."
In answer to my inquiry, Adam has told me he has a PayPal account linked to the following e-mail address:
adamhamm1@gmail.com
And so, with Duane's approval, this post is to kick off "OPERATION HELP SAVE DOZER." I am making an initial donation in memory of my own now departed "Gypsy." Any of you who would like to help Adam save Dozer can send a contribution by PayPal. For those who would prefer another method of contributing, please contact Adam directly by E-mail or Forum PM.
As General Patton might have said, "A dog this good needs to be saved."
(http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y30/RichardS/Dozer.jpg)
That's fantastic Gator!!! I've been wanting to do something with this one, I took it the day I picked up him from the breeder, on our way home.
(http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d175/thor447/Dozer2.jpg)
Adam:
Here's a start: 8)
(http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y30/RichardS/Dozer4-1.jpg)
Adam:
I am truly saddened. When I lost Gypsy, contemplating these quotations seemed to help a bit:
The Last Battle
If it should be that I grow frail and weak
And pain should keep me from my sleep,
Then will you do what must be done,
For this -- the last battle -- can't be won.
You will be sad I understand,
But don't let grief then stay your hand,
For on this day, more than the rest,
Your love and friendship must stand the test.
We have had so many happy years,
You wouldn't want me to suffer so.
When the time comes, please, let me go.
Take me to where to my needs they'll tend,
Only, stay with me till the end
And hold me firm and speak to me
Until my eyes no longer see.
I know in time you will agree
It is a kindness you do to me.
Although my tail its last has waved,
From pain and suffering I have been saved.
Don't grieve that it must be you
Who has to decide this thing to do;
We've been so close -- we two -- these years,
Don't let your heart hold any tears.
-- Unknown --
Do not stand on my grave and weep; I am not there. I do not sleep.
I am a thousand winds that blow. I am the diamond glints on snow.
I am the sunlight on ripened grain. I am the gentle autumn's rain.
When you awaken in the morning's hush, I am the swift uplifting rush
Of quiet birds in the circled flight. I am the soft stars that shine at night.
Do not stand at my grave and cry; I am not there. I did not die.
-- Unknown --
“You think dogs will not be in heaven? I tell you, they will be there long before any of us”
-- Robert Louis Stevenson --
Adam:
I am truly saddened. When I lost Gypsy, contemplating these quotations seemed to help a bit:
The Last Battle
If it should be that I grow frail and weak
And pain should keep me from my sleep,
Then will you do what must be done,
For this -- the last battle -- can't be won.
You will be sad I understand,
But don't let grief then stay your hand,
For on this day, more than the rest,
Your love and friendship must stand the test.
We have had so many happy years,
You wouldn't want me to suffer so.
When the time comes, please, let me go.
Take me to where to my needs they'll tend,
Only, stay with me till the end
And hold me firm and speak to me
Until my eyes no longer see.
I know in time you will agree
It is a kindness you do to me.
Although my tail its last has waved,
From pain and suffering I have been saved.
Don't grieve that it must be you
Who has to decide this thing to do;
We've been so close -- we two -- these years,
Don't let your heart hold any tears.
-- Unknown --
Do not stand on my grave and weep; I am not there. I do not sleep.
I am a thousand winds that blow. I am the diamond glints on snow.
I am the sunlight on ripened grain. I am the gentle autumn's rain.
When you awaken in the morning's hush, I am the swift uplifting rush
Of quiet birds in the circled flight. I am the soft stars that shine at night.
Do not stand at my grave and cry; I am not there. I did not die.
-- Unknown --
“You think dogs will not be in heaven? I tell you, they will be there long before any of us”
-- Robert Louis Stevenson --
Richard, thank you so much for posting that. It was difficult for me to get through it, but I needed to read it. This house is so quiet... I know he's in a better place. I'm trying not to be selfish, wishing he were here. It's just hard. I cannot express what you and this forum's support has meant to me. Although I've never met a single one of you, I could not ask for better people to talk with. You all have demonstrated incredible character and decency. Thank you all from the bottom of my heart.
I like to think that right about now an exceptional English Bulldog named Dozer --
(http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y30/RichardS/Dozer.jpg)
is riding the thousand winds with an exceptional Hungarian Vizsla named Gypsy --
(http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y30/RichardS/am-camchgypsyhuntressofbethwood-1-1.jpg)
I like to think that right about now an exceptional English Bulldog named Dozer --
(http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y30/RichardS/Dozer.jpg)
is riding the thousand winds with an exceptional Hungarian Vizsla named Gypsy --
(http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y30/RichardS/am-camchgypsyhuntressofbethwood-1-1.jpg)
I like the sound of that. Thanks Richard.