Billy's story, the gore and the glory - TISSUE ALERT

This story was posted in the Rainbow Bridge section of an Australian all-breeds board. Reading it, I felt that it needed to be shared. When I asked for permission to cross post and to get blanket authority for anyone to cross post, she agreed and thrilled me all over again with the message:
Thank you for your kind message. I would be delighted for you to share Billys story. He was an amazing boy. To experience the trust and happiness he felt after so many years of neglect was amazing and it only further proves to me that no dog is too old or disabled to help. I am slowly adjusting to his death and remembering the many good times we shared. Thanks again RuralPug, posting about him has been cathartic for me and has definitely helped.
Here is Billy's story - all of you in rescue will recognise, with me, the glory in it.

I am a dog groomer and 15 months ago a little toy poodle was brought into the salon for a clip.

I have honestly never seen a dog so neglected and poorly. This gorgeous little boy was covered in faeces and urine. His coat was so matted that the hair was ripped clean away from the skin in places. He had worms/maggots and fleas. It took 4 days to clean the gunk out of his ears and his eyes were coated in inch thick discharge. When you pulled his skin up it stayed inplace he was so dehydrated. The salon stank for days afterwards and it took 2 hours just to remove the matting.

The owner had wanted to "put the cranky little shit down" and her friend brought him in hoping to clean him up and rehome him. They knew he was blind but were surprised when I told them he was deaf also.

I immediately knew that I wasn`t going to allow this little boy to leave my side. I took him home with me that night. A trip to the vet and $1500 later and all of his teeth bar one were removed due to chronic decay. The vet told me he and the nurse took turns going outside for fresh air the smell was so bad. The specialist told me that his sight/hearing was irreversible. We guessed that he was at least 13 but really had no idea.

So now Blind Billy was deaf/blind/toothless and bald with ears that stuck up from the side of his head due to thickened skin.

I just wanted to give this old boy a fabulous last home filled with love and kindness.

My other 4 dogs accepted him straight away and looked after him at the park- nudging him in the right direction if he strayed too far.

He came to work with me every day and had his own little area in the salon and he very quickly learnt the layout of the house and his routines.

I cried the first time he rolled over on his back for a tummy rub - how trusting in me he became.

I fell in love with this little wonder and laughed when he frolicked in the grass and jumped up to play. He was with me for too short a time but I know I gave him 15 months of happiness and contentment and he was loved so much.

My gorgeous boy passed away on Friday night completely unexpectedly. He died in his sleep after playing with me that evening. Some 6th sense made me put him next to me in bed that night although he normally slept in his bed on the floor. When I woke up he was gone.

I am grief stricken and devastated and miss him so much because we were together basically 24/7 but I also feel so proud of him for his courage and loving nature after so much abuse and neglect in his life.

Please spare a minute to think of my boy wherever he may be now and give your dogs an extra cuddle of appreciation tonight.

Thank you for listening.

What a lovely story. Yes, it's got some grim parts, but the ending is pure perfection. His last 15 months were heaven on earth and he got to die peacefully next to the most important person in his world. Sounds like a good way to go.

Just goes to show--never underestimate a dog based on age, breed, or disability.

A candle is lit on Dunkirk Rd. for Billy.

He passed on a very happy boy all because of the person who saw the good in him.

northernwitch wrote:Just goes to show--never underestimate a dog based on age, breed, or disability.

Too right, Blanche.
for Billy. Sleep peacefully, old chap.

What a wonderful story. Yes, I am crying, but tears of happiness for the joy this boy found in the last 15 months of his life. I also know he didn't even bother remembering the first 13 years, he was entirely content and happy to live for the moment at the end.

Thank you for sharing that story.

What a beautiful story. This is what rescue is for. Makes me proud to know there are others out there willing to see the good in any creature and make it right, for however long they have.

That is beautiful. I wish everyone who hesitates to adopt an older dog reads it. They really do deserve nothing but the best for however long they have.

Definitely a tissue alert, but I think Billy's final year and a bit more than made up for the previous abuse and neglect. Thanks for sharing his story, Angela.

What a wonderful tribute to love, patience and understanding!