From commentor Joe F:
This is Clover, a ten year old Wheaton Terrier that I rescued almost three years ago from a euthanasia via gun shot on a farm in upstate Connecticut. He is as sweet as he is adorable and has brought light to not only my life, but the whole neighborhood that I live in; I cant walk down the street without someone yelling out from a passing car, “Clover!!” I don’t get so much as a second look.
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Well, January 20 was his birthday and unfortunately it appears as if he suffered a canine stroke or perhaps even a brain tumor. He became disoriented and began pacing incessantly, while emitting heart wrenching wimpers. It may be the end for this little guy. He is in the care of the vet and has made fractional progress, but today may be the day that I have to make a decision to spare him any further pain, which will create an enormous hole in my life. Apart from the neurological damage, he is fit as fiddle, so if we can get by this, there is no reason that he cannot resume a perfectly healthy life. I have a meeting at ten am this am to consult with the doctors.
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I can tell you about his purring, snuggling, leaning and smiling, but I think the pictures tell the whole story. The one with the sunlight was not photo shopped in anyway and truly represents his divine nature.
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He is a rescue dog in the truest sense because it was his love, companionship and outright wackiness that was the most important element in my recovery from drug and alcohol abuse. It would have NEVER happened without him around and I am having a hard time imaging what life might be like without him, so I felt compelled to reach out to a site that so properly gives animal their due. Please pray for the little fella, this world is a whole lot better place with him in it and he aint done spreading sunshine.
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My neighborhood practically has the flags at half mast and I can feel the many prayers from everyone, but more could not hurt.
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I would be grateful if you would ask your wonderfully compassionate readers if they might spare a thought for the Pooh-Bah of the Pooh Bears.
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Thanks in advance for any and all of your thoughts.
mlk
Healing thoughts for Clover. I hope you get good news from the vet.
HRA
My prayers and thoughts are with Clover and you.
PurpleGirl
Such a cute doggie. Will think healing thoughts for him.
bob h
On my dog-walking rounds here in NJ I see one of these every morning, also a rescue. The owner swears by him.
WereBear
May the Cosmic intervene for Clover one more time!
JPL
Joe and Clover, my thoughts are with you. I just gave Moxie an extra hug and she doesn’t understand why I have tears rolling down my cheeks. A decade ago, I lost a golden retriever at the age of sixteen. He had a stroke 4 years earlier and after much tlc bounced back. Hopefully Clover can do the same.
Steeplejack (phone)
Where this dog will go
perhaps you cannot follow.
Be led by his love.
bystander
Hugs, and warm thoughts, appeals to the universe, and prayers to Saint Francis of Assisi (Just in case). And, should Clover need to leave this corpus behind, may he return to you in a different one, because those who have rescued each other should never be held apart.
Pulling for you Joe F, and for Clover.
asiangrrlMN
Joe F, strong, healing vibes whizzing in Clover’s direction. He is a magnificent dog. May he stick around so you can love each other for a bit longer.
@bystander: That’s simply beautiful.
Josie
I will be thinking positive thoughts for you and Clover today. His sweetness shines through in his pictures.
Kristine
Good thoughts and best wishes for Clover.
satby
My thoughts and love are with you and Clover this morning.
xaneroxane
@Steeplejack (phone): such wisdom…
Healing, loving thoughts to Clover and all.
gogol's wife
Praying hard for you and Clover.
Ash Can
What a sweet doggie. You and Clover will be in my thoughts and prayers.
Southern Beale
Damn, I’m crying again. Stop it, already. Surrounding you and Clover with light and love….
Jman
Sending you hope and love, please let Clover be okay.
Linda
Adding my good thoughts to you and Clover. He’s a beauty.
Nikki
All positive energy to you and Clover!
John
I feel your pain, but it ain’t over til it’s over. Our 13 yr old Wheatie, Stan, looked like he was failing 5 mo.s ago, but he has made a solid comeback. btw, he looks like he could be Clover’s brother. Stay strong.
Violet
Oh, what a beautiful dog. That photo in the sunlight is just gorgeous. Clover’s lovely spirit comes through in all the pictures. I just want to reach out and hug him.
Lots of prayers and healing thoughts being sent Clover’s way, Joe F. I hope the vet has good news for you both.
Skepticat
Sending all positive, strong, healing thoughts for Clover and much sympathy for you.
scav
That’s a dog to live up to for anybody. All the best to you both.
MazeDancer
Thank you for your beautiful words about your clearly wonderful Clover. Now we feel like part of the lucky neighborhood Clover blesses. Light to you both.
lccr
Awww. Good thoughts and positive vibes sent out to the universe for you both
Svensker
Big hugs and good thoughts.
elmo
The two pictures below the jump really show the boundless love behind those gorgeous eyes. You mean everything in the world to him, and I’m sure he’ll stay if he can. I’ll be thinking about both of you today.
Paul in KY
My prayers for Clover. God bless him & you.
Just make sure he’s not in pain & if it’s time to go, you know he had a great life with you & is/was a very fortunate dog.
You can see he has a great personality. Just jumps out of the below pictures.
Roy Greene
First of all I send my healing thought to Clover as I send sage smoke to heaven. Words I say could never replace the love of your dog. If Clover must pass then tell Clover to find Blue Dog, my springer spaniel, who died in 85. When old blue died he shook the ground in my back yard, lowered him down with a golden chain and with every link sung out his name. Together they can romp in fields of grass with the sun fully shinning down and they can be companions for eternity waiting for us to join them in the land where all good dogs go. I do know when I get there the first thing I will do is whistle for Blue and he will come running. I will be sure to take care of Clover if I get there before you.
leinie
Joe, Clover looks like the bestest kind of friend and I get the neighborhood reaction cuz looking at those pictures I just want to hug that dog.
All the positive energy to you and Clover.
snarkypsice
Sounds like Clover found his perfect home. I am sending nothing but good thoughts.
JCT
Beautiful dog and once he found you he obviously had a beautiful life. Focus on the good and healing he inspired and keep thinking good thoughts.
Sending a ton of them your way!
wonkie
Damn, now I’m crying ,too.
He has a sweet face and loving eyes. I’m glad you guys found each other and I hope yu getr more days and years together. If you don’t I hope you can find comfort the memory of the love yu shared.
It’s past ten your time, only seven out here, so …I hope you will come back and share with us the news. I gave my old dog an extra biscuit this morning for you two. ((()))
cbear
Peace and love to you and your beautiful pup.
spavogt
god bless you both. when it’s his time, i hope clover finds myles waiting for him. they’ll be good buddies
Luci
Yes, I wish love and peace and healing for you and Clover too! I hope you will let us know how he is, and I hope he is doing well. :)
TaMara (BHF)
Of course, of course I’ll be sending prayers to you and Clover.
You know, we think we are rescuing them, but it is never the case, is it? It is amazing what the love of a dog can do for you (just ask curmudgeon Cole). I would have never gotten through my very ugly divorce if it hadn’t been for my three big lugs of Danes…and I miss them every day.
But soon I will be repaying the favor and rescuing older, hard to place Danes…but we all know the real rescued will be me.
SIA
Joe, you and dear Clover are in my prayers. I know everyone here is pulling for both of you. If bucks are an issue I’m sure we could pass the hat, I know I’d gladly contribute. I’ve been through this agony and wish there was something I could do. Bless you beautiful Clover.
You Don't Say
What a sweet fella. My thoughts and prayers are with you and Clover.
Max
Prayers for you and Clover. My Max is a wheaten and there is no better breed. I gave Max a bigger hug than usual this morning (with tears streaming down my face). I’ve said many times that Max saved my life, so I understand how you feel.
Sister Machine Gun of Quiet Harmony
Lots of love for you and Clover.
Joe F
Update on Clover:
thank you all for your kind thoughts, I knew I was reaching out to the right place.
his pacing has subsided a bit and he has regained some of his reflexes in his hinds, so that is good, but it appears as if he has lost sight in his left eye, which may be the reason for his disorientation, but also may represent some progression. the vet thinks he may be wimpering from the confusion and not from pain.
he will stay another night in their care and we will have a CT scan done to be sure. NOT giving up yet, but as a poster mentioned above, if it is his time and he is in pain, I will do what is best for him.
PS- the vet said all of the the animals are getting jealous at the attention he is getting from everyone at the hospital because the aides cant stay away from him!!
they have asked that I stay away for now so as not to add to his disorientation
thank you all from the bottom of my heart (especially Annie for posting) and I will send an update as soon as i have it
Peace to the pup
Dee Loralei
Lots of warm thoughts and prayers going to Clover and you.
kideni
My heart goes out to you, Joe and Clover. Last week I had to say goodbye to my cat– a truer soulmate I never had, and I’ll always miss him. It sounds as though Clover is in good hands between you and the docs, and if it’s time, you’ll know. I hope you two have many more sunny days together.
Mary G
I’ve taken my 20-yr-old kitty to the vet 3-4 times thinking that I would be coming back by myself, but she came with me. Such a joy to keep waking up with her every day. Hope your results are the same.
Paul in KY
@kideni: Very sorry for your loss, kideni.
satby
That sounds promising Joe, we’ll keep hoping the best for Clover.
And kideni, my sympathies on the loss of your beloved companion as well. It sounds like he had a wonderful life with you.
The Tim Channel
Sorry to hear. I recently lost Roxie to cancer. She’s the starving pit bull I rescued a few years ago (just outside the Mississippi town that bore her name). We’re lucky to get the time we get with pets in our lives. They are a blessing indeed.
Enjoy.
Church Lady
What a beautiful dog! I hope so much that he doesn’t have anything seriously wrong, and can make a full recovery and continue to be the neighborhood favorite.
TaMara (BHF)
@Joe F: I think it says a lot about Clover that he has put his magical spell over the entire vet office.
If love can heal (and I believe it can) Clover has a good chance because it looks like he creates a wave of it everywhere he goes.
But if it is his time, and you’ll know when it is, you gave him the best gift ever, a loving home and a purpose. What dog could ask for more?
trollhattan
An utterly charming fellow. My best wishes to both Clover and you!
You Don't Say
@Joe F: Sounds promising. I hope the CTscan is encouraging. Thanks for updating us.
Marybdvm
You are both in my thoughts and my heart aches for you. As a vet though, I will say that some of these neurological things do heal with minimal effects. I hope that’s the case for you.
Mary B.
JenJen
@Joe F: All of my best wishes, intentions, and thoughts to you and Clover.
I know exactly what you’re going through, and the Balloon Juice animal-loving community really helped me when I was going through your pain. May you have many more days with your beloved Clover. Hugs to you!!
WereBear
@Joe F: Awesome news, actually. Continued good thoughts heading your way.
cckids
Aww, sad & then hopeful news. He has the sweetest, most amazing smile in that bottom picture. Sending lots of good thoughts your way, hugging my little Pixie an extra time.
Jane2
What a lovely dog Clover is! Glad you got some hopeful news, and healing thoughts are sent Clover’s way.
Barry
My best wishes, and if the worst happened, remember that Clover gave to you what you needed most, when you were in desperate need.
SenyorDave
He sounds like a wonderful dog, companion. One of the saddest days of my life was when we had to put our dog, Bagel, to sleep. She was suffering from tongue cancer, but about a year earlier she had a “doggie stroke”, which she only partially recovered from. Previously, she had been the most outgoing you could imagine (children and seniors lved her), but afterwards she became fearful of strangers. We believe she lost some of her hearing).
When she had the tongue cancer, our vet once told us that Bagel would let us know when it was time, and the vet was correct. One day she had the saddest look, like she was incomplete misery. We knew it was time.
very reverend crimson fire of compassion
May the Love that brought him to you, and that shines through him on you, restore him to you. You are both in our thoughts and prayers. Keep us posted. Much love.
Phoebe
I stared into his eyes and sent him a further-sunshine-spreading hex.
My unofficial, created-by-me hexes have helped friends preparing for job interviews, so hey. But you know, in case Clover doesn’t recover to spread the sunshine in his present Clover formation, I added a proviso that his essence/soul/energy whatever you like be either going into another pet, or something else, that shines on you, Joe F. Because really, hooray for you!
Sarah in Brooklyn
aw, Clover! get better, baby.
Lesley
Clover is in my thoughts. I wish him all the best and trust the sunbeams are tracking him.
TEL
His sweet nature really does shine through in those pictures. I’ve sent my best thoughts and hopes for the both of you.
kideni
I’m so glad that things are looking better for Clover. One blind eye isn’t great, but it’s not the worst thing since their senses of smell and hearing are so advanced. I’ve been taking care of a friend’s blind dog for several months, and it’s amazing how well he gets around once he gets a sense of where things are, and large objects like parked cars and trees seem to have enough of a presence that he’s able to veer around them.
And thanks for the condolences for my fuzzball. At some point I’ll write about it, but right now it’s still too new.
Dog is My Co-Pilot
So sorry to hear of the news. Even if a pet is still with us, but is suffering in some way, we still go through a grieving process of sorts. I’ve been there more times than I care to admit, and my kindest thoughts are most certainly with you that Clover pulls through okay. Thank you for giving this wonderful creature a loving home.
Gatsby
Good thoughts, kisses, and prayers, to the lovely Clover!
Tobe
Hang in there. My old Siamese cat had a stroke at twelve. Couldn’t walk, void, eat, and was completely disoriented. Brought her back home to die with us only to have her recover and live another five years. Her mobility was never quite the same but nothing slowed her down for second. She was back to supervising the dogs and bossing them by the second month after the stroke.
Jimbo
Best wishes to you both.
ErinSiobhan
@Joe F:
How frustrating it must be to stay away. I hope Clover continues to improve and that he is home with you soon.
JPL
@Joe F: Thank you so much for the update. Clover will let you know if he’s done fighting. You take care,
Carnacki
@Joe F: Peace be with you and Clover and may you have Clover back with you soon.
Violet
@Joe F:
Thank you for the update. Sounds very promising. Please update again after the CT scan and let Anne know so we can all know.
Clover must be a very special fellow to have the entire vet’s office under his spell! How difficult for you to have to stay away but you are doing the right thing. Sending tons of healing thoughts his way.