January 24, 2010 - October 8, 2022

Molly's Story

A Dog Lost

On my way to pick up something at Fresh and Easy, I found Molly on the street in Avondale on January 24, 2010. She was alone, wearing only a collar, and looking scared. It was dark, and she was walking along McDowell Rd at 107th Ave. I stopped on the side of 107th as she went north. I began to corner her when someone else pulled up and got out. I thought it was her owners, so I asked if they were taking her home. They replied they were not the owners and were just helping me. Finally, I could pick her up, not without her yelping and peeing on the sidewalk first, and put her in the back of my Subaru. She got home and was introduced to Tessa, my beagle, and Mr. Kitty. As she settled in, she took to me and never wanted to leave my side. With only a collar and features to go on, I posted ads online and in the local West Valley View to see if anyone had lost her. I did not want to take on another dog at the time, really I didn't. Even calling my friends and relatives to see if anyone wanted her.

First Night

Her beautiful coat and youthful appearance made me believe she was probably a year old. This golden brown color had me hooked, to be honest.

Shy or scared?

Such a sweet face!

Aliens

She liked to lie down next to my desk chair while I was on the computer. After looking down at her sometime in February, I realized little aliens were moving their hands around her belly. She was off to the vet. Thinking that she might have a dangerous pregnancy, the vets told me to watch her carefully. All went very well, though. Exactly two months later, on March 24, 2010, six beautiful puppies were born in my home. Driving to Chandler from Surprise while taking care of 8 dogs and a cat took a toll on me. After all, I had just turned 30! Lucky for me, all the puppies were healthy and adopted out to good homes. Tragedy struck with Tessa's passing in January 2011. Molly and Mr. Kitty followed me to Phoenix in 2013.

Puppies!

It was hard to say goodbye to them.

Adoption Event

The puppies are about 6-8 months old here in 2010. They found homes through a rescue agency. One had already been adopted.

One of Molly's puppies after being adopted.

Emergency Surgery

In August 2013, Molly fell off the bed and hit her side on the wooden doggy steps so badly that her liver was injured. She required hospitalization then to save her life. It was touch-and-go, and I could not sleep. The surgeons called me while she was in surgery to discuss something, and I will never forget the sounds of the machines beeping. It took her a while to heal and she had a long recovery. Molly also suffered from bladder stones throughout her life and had to be on a special diet which I was happy to keep up, knowing it would make her happier. And she was happier, running around a lot more, jumping up and down, barking, and generally a better dog.

I love those puppy dog eyes.

Kisses in the car

In My Thoughts

Not a moment went by when Molly did not occupy my thoughts. I hated to leave her home when I went out, always wondering what she was doing. If I had to go out of town, Molly stayed home and was watched by a friend or friends. Everything I did felt like it revolved around her. She was my life. She was closer to me than many exes. No accommodation was too great for her.

You'll see her heart collar in this picture with her rescue registration tag. She was found wearing this and only this. No tag, no microchip, nothing else.

Taking Trips Across the Country

Surprisingly, Molly really liked being in the car in her later years. It wasn't always like that at first. Which is why I didn't like to travel with her then. She came with me on a cross-country trip to see mom in Kentucky in 2016. She really loved being in the car on the long journey. You can see in this photo that she slept in the front seat of the Subaru on the way back to Arizona.

In 2020, we took another trip out to see mom. I had built up the back seat of the Toyota with blankets and pillows so high that she could lie down and still see out the windshield.

On the way home in 2017.

Visiting day with Molly in her 2nd week at the hospital.

Final Days

Molly started to develop diarrhea and vomiting in September. It might have just been something she ate, I thought. It continued into it's 2nd week. So after calling her regular vet we found out that she was on vacation. They referred me to another local hospital, which is where I took her.

After checking her out and taking x-rays, they told me that Molly swallowed something. They said I should take her to a specialist hospital in North Scottsdale, so away we went.

Molly passed away in my embrace on Saturday, October 8, 2022, at 3:30 pm at the hospital after suffering from a seizure. Originally, the doctors were very optimistic about her recovery but her blood work came back off the scale. Since this was her 3rd time being admitted, the doctors were not sure if there was a long-term plan for her without continued hospitalization. While we were discussing the next steps, Molly had her first and final seizure and the doctor rushed out of the room leaving me to wonder if it was time. Molly's regular doctor was in at the time and also went to check on her. Both doctors came back into the room and told me that I should consider compassionate euthanasia since she would not live a normal life. My heart breaks for her every day knowing that I did everything I could to save her life and to extend the amount of time we spent together. This was not how I wanted her life to end but I know we don't always get to choose how we die, only how we live and she was the best dog anyone could ever have. She touched so many lives, primarily mine, as she was there for me for the last 13 years. It was finally time to say goodbye to my partner, my baby, and my bestie.

Rest in peace, my love.

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