Will

6 pounds of tumors & a wagging tail

We Remember

Will was picked up as a stray by an animal control officer, a real mess; he had giant tumors on his belly that made him look like he had cow udders. He was filthy with hair missing off his back from flea infestation. It was obvious he had been neglected for quite some time. The animal control officer filled out the form when finding Will like this: Body Condition: Poor/Dirty , Attitude: Happy. Old Dog Haven was asked if they could help because Will needed major medical intervention. A foster home was found for Will and he had surgery to remove the 6 pounds of tumors. Will became the beautiful dog outside he had always been inside. He was a special dog, a dog who would softly start whining right before 8 pm if his foster mom was still sitting at her computer working. This was to let her know it was time to quit working and come and sit on the couch with him for a couple of hours before bedtime. Will had a tail that wouldn’t quit, he was always wagging his happy tail. At one vet visit he unplugged the weigh scale he was standing on while waiting for the scale to register. It took a minute for the vet and his foster mom to realize he’d unplugged it with his tail! Will had soft velvety ears and warm amber eyes. He was generous with his kisses and would always come when you called him. He was always polite and accepting to the other dogs in his foster home, so many of whom would curl up next to him for warmth. Will loved going for walks and riding in the car. We lost Will very unexpectedly one day when he collapsed. He was rushed to his vet clinic but it was too late; more than likely he threw a clot. It has been a shock for his foster family and their hearts have felt a giant loss because of it. We are reminded of the story of a young boy and a vet who contemplated why dogs didn’t live long enough. It was the boy who came up with the answer that explains it best: “Everybody is born so that they can learn how to live a good life – like loving everybody and being nice, right?” The four-year- old continued, “Well, dogs already know how to do that, so they don’t have to stay as long.” Will passed away February 6, 2014.