Betty Boop was a 10-year-old designer breed/mutt who came to me with severe neurological disorders. When I drove to Anaheim to pick her up, I knew she was a special-needs dog. I also knew that I could help. I was determined to improve the quality of her health and her life with good nutrition and positive thinking. But I was unaware of her blindness, unaware of the seizures to come, unaware of the water on her brain, the necessary medicines, and ultimately the amount of care this tiny puppy would require. I was also unaware of the qualities I would soon discover in myself, qualities that Betty Boop would help reveal.
In no time I discovered Betty Boop enjoyed being held and would spend a few minutes squirming in my arms before settling on a comfortable position and drifting off to sleep. When she was truly happy, she’d cock her head and stick her tongue out slightly – staring through blind eyes. Although I questioned my decision to adopt her a million times and was often overwhelmed by the demands of caring for her, when Betty Boop tilted her head and gave me that expression of contentment, my doubts vanished.
In 2007 I had a brain scan done to get a better picture of Betty Boop’s condition. The staff besieged me afterwards in the waiting room: What are you feeding her? How are you able to take care of her? How is it that this dog is even alive? Seeing my bewildered expression, somebody finally let me know what the scan revealed: Betty Boop had less than one-percent functional brain matter! It seemed impossible. By every measure known to science, Betty Boop should not have survived past a year. Whatever it is you’re doing, the staff said, keep doing it.
In my opinion, her survival was no great secret. Betty Boop simply had the will to live. She responded well to me and she ate and drank on her own. She perked up when I came home from travel and always seemed comforted by my presence and my touch.
Since business travel was sometimes unavoidable, I came to rely on an amazing dog sitter. Caring for dogs is her passion and she has many clients to show for it. When I was on the road, she would visit three times a day to make sure Betty Boop got her medications as well as tender loving care.
Making sure Betty Boop received her necessary medications was paramount. Her very life depended on it. Everyone got fed on Betty Boop’s schedule, with her getting fed last. While her kibble would float and become soft enough for her, I would change her bedding and begin laundry. While she ate, I sat on the steps to keep an eye on her while also giving the other dogs some attention.
Betty Boop has had moments of stunning progress. Christmas of 2009 she broke out walking in a straight line, just as a normal dog would. It was our Christmas miracle. She wasn’t able to maintain it for long, but it showed me what could happen with a little nurturing, a little encouragement, and a lot of love (you can view her miraculous moment at youtube.com/watch?v=hEYGmXAbjtw). Betty Boop’s fate was at times uncertain, at best, but she remains a living, breathing miracle in our lives today.
I am a different – better! – person for having been Betty Boop’s guardian these past 10 years. I have learned patience and unconditional love. She has inspired me with her great enthusiasm for life, in spite of her physical difficulties. She teaches and inspires me still.
I believe Betty Boop came into my life as the purest form of love. She has shown my entire family the stunning power of love and patience and acceptance – and the miracles one need only sit still to experience, calming down enough to enjoy the simple moments together.
Betty Boop reminds us all that life is a gift and love our most precious possession.
Kelly Preston is an animal lover and author of Real Dogs Don’t Whisper. She grew up with horses, rabbits, and dogs. Mr. MaGoo, the book’s co-creator, is a nine-year-old Lhasa Apso. Kelly currently resides in San Francisco. Visit her at: realdogsdontwhisper.com.
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Main article photo by: Kelly Preston
