The World According to Higgins
What pet owners will do for the sake of their pets never ceases to amaze and delight me. The following is but one wonderful example.
Higgins, the English Bull Terrier, has to be at the top of the list! On my first meeting with “Higgie” and his charming owner, Marcia, we began by filling out the necessary Critter Sitters form regarding Higgie’s care. When we came to feeding instructions, I asked Marcia what and when Higgie was fed. And in her beautiful southern drawl she said, “Well, Honey, he can have anything he wants.”
And she really meant it! For later, when I arrived to spend the night with Higgie over Thanksgiving week, there on the dining table was a huge roast turkey with all the trimmings, right out of the oven, for Higgie to share with me!
Now, five years later, and after numerous medical tests, the Vet found that Higgie is allergic to beef, dairy and wheat products. So, gone are the days of indulging in his favorite food, McDonalds cheeseburgers! They’ve been replaced by a low fat diet and a combination of herbs.
In addition, Marcia hires me to come in daily to give Higgie a brisk walk to bring his heart rate up and burn fat! Considering the excited reception he gives me, the “walkies” now seem to be almost as important to him as those burgers were!
But, I’m not the only one assisting in Higgie’s care. Actually, he requires a whole staff to attend to his every need. This is where Joy and Ray come in. They also spend the night with Higgie, and Ray makes special house calls to administer drops for occasional ear infections. Higgie hates this procedure, and they only one he will tolerate to do it is Ray, a man he respects.
And that’s the world according to Higgins!
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