In last week’s tale we spoke of how our four legged family members often get into the same mischief as our two legged children. Another parallel to our lives is old age and its inevitable ailments.

I try, under almost every circumstance to save lives but I must also take into consideration the quality of life before I put forth Lennie’s Fund to help an animal.

Jojo is a 13-year-old Sharpei mix who needed expensive tests done. I won’t go into all the problems but cancer was suspected. Working with God’s Creatures and with the owner’s consent, I agreed to pay for the tests but if it was cancer, we’d put sweet Jojo to sleep because of her age and what she’d have to go through.

When all was said and done, Jojo had a liver problem that we are handling with medicines and her pain was being caused by something she had swallowed that was removed. As I said before, Jojo is 13 but her problem is being maintained and she can live out her life pain free.

I received a call about Sassy, a 12-year-old Boxer-Pit mix who had a wound on her leg that was festering. Due to financial problems, the owner tried to handle the problem herself but the wound just got worse.

When I learned of Sassy’s predicament I wanted to learn of Sassy’s viability.

“Lennie,” I was told, “she’s young in spirit and in heart and she’s my whole world.”

That was more than enough to set me in motion and off Sassy went to Landrum Vet for help. I met Sassy both before and after her operation. The leg was amputated, and her mom was right – a sweet girl with a good heart.

We spoke the day before Sassy went back home. “I’m sorry we had to take your leg sweetheart,” I said, “Your momma tried her best for you.”

“That’s okay Uncle Lennie,” she replied, “I wasn’t using it much anyway and now it doesn’t hurt anymore.”

Sassy was wearing a collar so I simply reached in and gently scratched her cheek.

“Thank you Uncle Lennie, are you an angel?”

“No darling, but I know lots of angels that helped me to help you. You just stay well and they’ll all be very happy.”

To all my angels on behalf of all my kids, thanks for being there and thanks for listening.