Molly: The Little Dog with Huge Courage

It is no secret to anyone that knows me that I am addicted to the Internet. One of the things that continue to fascinate and intrigue me is the wide variety of diverse support groups that are available to folks in need of help with just a mouse-click.

Sondra, one of the people I met through this support group became a dear friend. While we have never yet met in real life, her counsel and loving support meant so much to me. I was thrilled when I learned that she started a second career as a veterinary technician. I think the clinic for which she is working is very fortunate to have her on their staff as she deeply loves and strongly relates to animals.

Recently Sondra sent me an email about Molly, a longhair black Dachshund who is one of their special canine patients. She attached an article from her local newspaper which was quite exciting. I could not resist researching more about this very courageous little dog.

Molly Sondra wrote that she was one of the technicians who have been helping care for Molly after back surgery last October, when Molly was not able to bear any weight on her back legs. She wrote, "Molly is one of the most endearing and brave little dogs with a very happy personality. Thank goodness her owners were able to do this for her. This is just one of the things that make my job so rewarding."

Apparently six year-old Molly is quite an online celebrity. Referred to as the "wander dog" in many featured articles about her posted on the internet, Molly and her owners, Kathy and Johnny Mattox of the Brices Creek area in Craven County, S.C., have had the joy of sharing their home with Molly since she was six weeks old.

Kathy was alarmed when she observed Molly was having difficulty walking and was not able to manage the stairs in their two story home. Examined the next day at the Veterinary Specialist Hospital, the CT scan showed a ruptured disc in her back, which was causing her inability to use her hind legs. Even with surgery, the doctors could not assure Kathy that Molly would ever be able to walk again.

Even without that guarantee, Kathy decided to allow Molly to undergo the surgery, and the $3,000 surgery was considered a success. Even though Molly cannot walk unassisted, she now uses a wheeled cart. Kathy said, "Molly's vets at the Craven Animal Hospital who treat her, told me about the cart, "which Kathy purchased online for $400.

Although Molly's two hind legs remain paralyzed, she is able to move almost normally with the assistance of her cart. Kathy said, "She always uses the cart outside . . . she likes to chase squirrels and rabbits." Molly also enjoys playing catch with her rubber ball.

The Mattoxes must express Molly's bladder and anus to aid in her elimination due to her hind-end paralysis. She also is enrolled in Day Care at the Craven Animal Hospital since Kathy and John both work. While she could remain at home, Kathy feels more secure knowing that she is supervised.

Molly has come out of her shell after her surgery although she was once a shy and timid little dog. Kathy plans to enroll Molly in a training program to be certified as a therapy dog to inspire people who are disabled. Kathy said, "I want people to benefit from her misfortune. Then they can see her get around and if she can help them that would be a good thing."

So it also appears that Molly has a blossoming second career herself which she blends seamlessly with her primary job of sharing love and devotion by a very courageous family.

It really is "ability that counts" for both humans and animals, don't you agree? Leave a comment and share your thoughts.