At BrightHaven, we are so grateful for animals! We feel forever appreciative for the love, comfort and lessons that they have given to us. And animals have certainly helped us strengthen our own spirituality and consciousness.
We’ve found that being thankful is an important part of living well each day if one wishes to live a joyful, harmonious and fulfilling life. Genuine appreciation, regardless of circumstances, makes every experience richer and more vital.
Ollie’s Story: Joy No Matter What
Speaking of gratitude, we’d love to share the inspiring story of Ollie’s life and times at BrightHaven. We feel so much appreciation to him for his presence in our lives. He taught us many lessons, particularly about living joyfully regardless of life’s challenges.
BrightHaven President & Founder Gail Pope Tells His Tale
“I came to know Ollie as ‘the Rottweiler in dachshund’s clothing’ who lived at BrightHaven from 2001 until his death in 2008 at the grand age of nearly 24 years.
Ollie embodied authenticity, for he was always true to himself, unapologetically and completely! He lived in the present. This steadfast little dog aged and adjusted. And he got sick and adjusted. Ollie accepted his dying process as simply another part of his journey. His story illustrates well the power of the spirit over these fragile and temporary bodies that are our physical existence.
Ollie’s Early Years
Ollie lived the first 16 years of his life very happily with his adoring pet parent, Dorothy. All appeared well until he began to experience difficulty urinating. He subsequently collapsed due to a back disc problem. Ollie went to a specialist where he had hemilaminectomy surgery, which is a minimally invasive procedure to relieve pressure on the spine. Afterwards, he received a bright prognosis.
Dorothy, then 93 years old and herself needing support to walk, was unable to care properly for him despite her best efforts. As a result, Ollie did not fully recover from his operation. A wheelchair was acquired to enhance his mobility, and he took to his new legs like a duck to water!
However, as time went on, it became clear that Dorothy could no longer place him in his wheelchair nor express his constantly full bladder. She took him to her local vet hospital to request euthanasia. Instead, they took him into their care and called us for help and advice. Ollie then came to live at BrightHaven with Dorothy visiting as often as she wished.
Ollie’s BrightHaven Years
We discovered very quickly that Ollie did not require our sympathy. He just wanted to be treated like any other dog—preferably a large one! Ollie was bold as brass, terribly energetic and youthful both in behavior and looks. He was also extremely playful, especially with his very own and, of course, HUGE beach ball. Ollie often nosed it around BrightHaven, barking crazily and chasing it in his chariot. And, given the opportunity to steal another dog’s bone? Well, just take a look below!
Ollie voted himself the chief BrightHaven organizer, as well as the official BrightHaven greeter. Our guests were always welcomed effusively and checked out very carefully. Probably to ascertain their potential as a person to accompany him on walks.
Ollie never had a huge tolerance level and became impatient very quickly—everything had to happen NOW for this young and fearless 16-year-old. He adored one-on-one love and companionship, especially when out of his wheelchair and rolling on his bed. Ollie thoroughly enjoyed massage therapy and most especially, tummy rubs!
It was difficult to look at this active and courageous little bundle, who always insisted on being center stage, and realize him a teenager. If you judged him by energy alone, you’d easily see him as a 6-year-old. Of course, you must understand that this dear boy had some health problems related to his physical condition and advancing years.
Ollie’s Health Challenges
Ollie suffered ongoing attacks of urinary tract infections, with crystal formation and some occasional bleeding. However, he was completely unconcerned about this problem, which seemed immaterial to him. We were also informed of his seizure history but saw no signs of any adverse neurological activity. That is, until his health began an obvious decline about eighteen months later. He experienced a series of strange and very high fevers that seemed to indicate meningitis.
On one life-threatening occasion we took Ollie to a new conventional veterinarian for evaluation and another opinion. We had treated him both holistically and conventionally to no avail. And we desperately sought help for this special man who was so full of life despite being very ill. Unhappily, the trip brought us nothing but the sad news that there was nothing more to be done. Meningitis was the diagnosis and euthanasia the recommendation.
Ollie Had Different Plans
Ollie very obviously had no wish to die. And so, we supported him through thick and thin as we silently prepared to endure his passing. The weeks rolled by, and finally Ollie announced he felt better. He was ready to resume normal duties, although at a bit slower pace than usual.
I love this photo of these two magnificent men, Ollie and Joey! Joey joined the BrightHaven family in 2004 and was trained by Ollie to become our new ambassador. That way, dear old Ollie could begin his retirement—at the grand old age of nearly 19 years.
By 2005 this feisty and rambunctious dachshund, now well into his twentieth year of life, had cheated his very death so many times that we believed him invincible!
We watched him closely. And classical veterinary homeopathy supported him through his troubles and difficult days. Each and every time this magnificent dog bounced back from the highest fever or most toxic situation with renewed vigor.
Was It Time for Ollie to Transition?
Towards the end of that same year, Ollie became deathly ill with frightening speed. This time nothing worked and sadly we knew his time was close at hand. His homeopathic vet prescribed new remedies to help in his recovery and Ollie responded not. He could neither eat nor drink. And we syringed drops of water through his dry lips as he wound down to die.
It appeared that the dog who would not leave was leaving. The house became quiet, and cats gathered around their friend. They ate and slept with him. He was never left alone.
Ollie became quiet, peaceful, relaxed and sweet as he awaited his fate. We were exhausted. The late Fray Huffman, longtime close friend and volunteer, and I slept on the floor beside him… We’d finally creep to the couch for comfort in the wee small hours.
I cannot tell you when we knew the tide had turned early that morning. Ollie was slowly coming back to life. Although we saw it with our own eyes, we could barely believe the miracle of healing that had been given once again to this amazing spirit. Ollie had more work to do and do it well he would!
By the summer of 2006 Ollie had once again become our true inspiration. Six short months prior, we had moved his wheelchair to sit quietly alone—where he could see it. If he could still see, that is… We also placed his bed to a more central location from whence to say farewell. However, Ollie was now back in his chariot, happily trundling (his days of racing well behind him!) along.
And, my friends, that is where an important lesson lies.
Ollie had an unwavering will to live and sometimes that is all it takes. His very determination to survive and the love and joy he shared were exactly what was needed. If we hadn’t heeded the dog himself who would not give up, he would have long since been dead. Our deepest senses just knew he was present and still wishing for this precious life, with his purpose yet not quite finished.
A New Beginning
Now, on to the remarkable events of Ollie’s last morning on February 8, 2008, at 1:45 a.m.
We could see that Ollie was feeling much lower the prior evening. Cats Gary, Fred, Beauregard, Woody, Barney, Lucy and Charlie snuggled even closer to him. And we settled down for a long night of vigil.
At 1:30 a.m. we heard a little sound from Ollie. So I slid my arms under and around his body as best I could, given the feline legs and paws already cuddling him! He laid his head on my arm, and I could feel his heart beating quite strongly. Richard (my late husband), Fray and I began once more to talk of the old days in Ollie’s life. Suddenly I realized I could no longer feel a heartbeat.
Ollie inclined his head so very slightly, as if in a gentle nod of farewell, and was gone.
The End of Ollie’s Story?
No, indeed it was not.
We sat around to talk some more in honor of our boy. And we gradually realized that all the cats had not left, which is generally their way. You see, once the animal they are caring for has departed, they typically leave, for they are no longer needed. Then it is our turn to hold and cuddle our loved one.
As we all curled up together on the floor, we watched as each cat honored Ollie by touching him gently and sitting for a very long period beside his still body. Finally, 28-year-old Beauregard took over and lay down beside his old friend and cohort, placing his head atop Ollie’s. He remained there for a very long time. It was a sight too beautiful for words.
When I finally drifted off to sleep, I dreamt that Ollie was alive. I stroked his fur—I KNEW him well. Then I awoke with a start to hear Fray exclaiming she had just had the strangest dream, that Ollie was still alive. I guess it was his farewell to us both!
We realized that it was truly the end of a BrightHaven era when Ollie died as we recalled the life and times of this amazing dog who showed cats that their ‘nine lives’ theory was pure bunkum.”
More Uplifting Animal Lessons
If you’d like to meet more of our wise and wonderful animal teachers, you’ll love GRATEFUL for Animals: Spiritual Comfort & Wisdom in Life’s Last Chapter, available on Amazon. Gail and I wrote this heartwarming book to honor the healing and life-changing human-animal bond. It includes many valuable lessons we learned from animals during their last chapter of life, which are extremely relevant at every life stage. You, too, can live well and fully through the last breath!
If you carry joy in your heart, you can heal any moment.” —Carlos Santana
BrightHaven Caregiver Resources to Help Your Animal Live Well Each and Every Day!
ANIMAL WISDOM FOR LIVING WELL!
In a time of so much change and chaos, with old ways of being and doing undeniably falling away, animals can show us a much better and more authentic way to live. Find out what they’d like to share in GRATEFUL for Animals: Spiritual Comfort & Wisdom in Life’s Last Chapter, available on Amazon. (Authors: Gail Pope, BrightHaven President and Founder; Carol Howe Hulse, BrightHaven Education Program Manager)
(Photo by in joy photography)
- Do you have questions about how BrightHaven’s holistic healing or animal hospice care approaches can help your animal? Do you wish to discuss end-of-life concerns and options? We invite you to book a consultation for experienced and compassionate support.
- Follow Your Heart: Navigating a Terminal Diagnosis – helps you walk this often-challenging path with a deeper sense of peace, confidence and clarity. (Author: Gail Pope)
- The BrightHaven Guide to Animal Hospice – learn how to care for your animal companions in their Golden Years and through the end of life. (Author: Gail Pope)
- Soar My Butterfly: The Animal Dying Experience – a simple guide to the signs and symptoms you may encounter during the final stages of the natural dying process. (Author: Gail Pope)
- BrightHaven Online Learning – help your loved one live the best life possible each and every day! We share what we’ve learned about holistic healing, animal hospice and living and dying well by following the wisdom of the animals since 1990.
(Photo by Beth Shields)
- Walking with My Dog Through (End of) Life – an intimate look at a profound life passage, from terminal diagnosis through hospice care and a peaceful, gentle natural death. (Author: Carol Howe Hulse)
For more resources and information to help you help your furry family member, please visit BrightHaven’s Caregiver Resources & Education and Animal Caregiver FAQ.
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