Born: 1990
Came to BH: November 2004
Date written: 7th September 2008
I have resisted writing this story for fear of jinxing her time here, but now I want to share with you the story of Dafne-Ann, one of the most delightful royal ladies to tread this earth.
Dafne-Ann has lived in our house for almost four short years. Daf, Daffage, Daffy duck or a million of the other silly names I have for her, came to us after the demise of her much loved lady. Thankfully, her son Rick felt impelled to do the right thing for his Mum and find the purrrfect place for her girl to renew, refresh and live out the little time left to her.
I say little time, as fifteen year old Daf brought with her a list of medical issues and surgical procedures, so long as to prove daunting to even the strongest of readers. In a nutshell—she had unsuccessful surgeries to try to find and resolve abdominal issues, to identify an esophageal flap in her throat that threatened to choke her, as well as identify deep seated feline asthma, which had attempted to halt her breathing with great regularity since a young girl!!
To cap it all this tiny princess who looked as though a mere puff of wind could blow her over, was found to be filled with love and gratitude and more than ready for the next chapter of her life.
By now you will be familiar with the name of the great Dr Jeff Levy and it was, Dr Jeff who heartily agreed to take Daf on for us, and try to help her find new balance. We had been surprised to see this royal lady actually agree to eat her new and naturally raw diet. She had already improved and with the careful and talented care of Dr Jeff, our Dafne-Ann started to blossom and captivate her newfound audience.
We almost feared to pick up and cuddle her in case we crushed her tiny frame and yet Daf loved to be held and caressed—still does! Those who have not had their face stroked lightly and gently by Daf’s slender velvet paw have not lived—I assure you!!
As the years rolled by, Dafne had crisis after crisis, mostly asthma related. Happily she took everything in her stride, even those dark days when she could barely breathe. She trusted that all would be well and she just had to sit still and wait.
I guess those beings who spend a lifetime struggling for air, are forced to learn the art of sitting still and quiet, in meditation to await that time when air will surely flow. Happily this, and some well chosen homeopathic remedies have always worked for Daf—despite my often frantic fluttering around her!!!
As time marched by, other animals came to realize, and seek the sweetness that was Dafne’s and some of the photos you see here will show her deep and lasting friendship’s with Woody, Oliver, Joey, Gingi, Eric, Blue, Charlie and Ollie. She is a well known figure in the last days of an animal’s life, as she snuggles close in love and friendship.
As many of us older people struggle to keep their teeth, so did Daf, and finally a few months ago we realized the only way for her to continue to eat, would be to put her “under” and remove an offending tooth. A daunting task for a healthy older lady, but scary to say the least for Dafne with all her breathing troubles and fragility. She gave us no choice and with Jeff’s blessing we went ahead.
A difficult day lay ahead, for, as we peeked finally inside that dainty mouth we were shocked to find a nasty mass, growing deep and strong at the very back of this sweet throat—well hidden from normal view. No wonder she had shown distress! It seemed that Mother Nature was finding yet another way to try to stop this sweet girl’s breathing. Non plussed as always Jeff came to the rescue and Daf again responded to the magic that is homeopathy.
Lately Daf is tired. Sweet, but tired. Eating, but tired. She is as slim now as a reed and still smiling. When I pick her up to cuddle her—she smiles gently as she turns, purring to stroke my face with her paw. Grown men have been known to cry at less.
I am not sure for how long this gentle lady will be able to sustain life in her elderly body, but I felt strongly that everyone should know her sweetness and share in the delight of her life.
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