The Power of Love

Danielle of Killeen, Texas, worked as a veterinary technician in an animal hospital. Passing by the room where a badly burned puppy lay, Danielle caught his eye. She saw in his face pain and despair. He was brought in by a man who claimed no responsibility for this horrible happening where it seemed someone had poured gasoline over the pup and set him on fire. Now he decided he should be euthanized.

Danielle asked the vet whether he could be saved. He said yes, but it would be expensive. Not wealthy, she nevertheless got the owner to sign over ownership to her and asked the vets to treat him. She felt this little dog should get to know the simple joys that all dogs should experience. And now she gave this little pup a big name --"D'Artagnan", after the

captain of the Musketeers. His treatment began with skin-graft surgery to reconstruct his horribly burnt mouth. In time the pup's condition improved dramatically, and Danielle was able to take him home to be with the other dogs and cats she had.

She also decided that the name D'Artagnan was quite a mouthful and shortened it to Mister D. Mister D fit in beautifully with the other dogs and cats who lived in Danielle's home. It seems as though he succeeded in putting his horrible past behind him by finding a happy niche with

the other dogs and cats who shared his living quarters. The cats would often be found sleeping with him, and Mister D could sometimes be found sharing his food with the other dogs.

Because of the horrible burn to his face, the scars were evident, and he even looked a little bit scary because of the skin grafts. But Danielle would never ever regret saving his life, and soon he would return the favor.

Last year Danielle was in a terrible accident when riding her motorcycle. Trying to avoid a collision with a car, she ended up on the street in a bloody heap with a broken skull. At the hospital the doctors at first could not even find any brain function.

Her mother flew in from Germany, and that's when I had an aha moment. I have known two very special women who were also of German descent. I found both of them to be wonderfully caring about animals --especially about dogs and cats. They would often clue me into their wonderful insights in this regard. Danielle also had their wonderful gift of caring and compassion.

Danielle's injuries were so severe that there was a question in every one's mind whether she would recover. In the meantime, her mother took care of the dogs and cats at home and was grateful when Danielle's ex-husband came to help her. Now she could spend more time with Danielle.

And then Laura S., the Care 2 writer of this post, wrote something quite profound: But in the silence of the mind, a louder voice came from Danielle's soul, which said "'I have to get back to Mister D and my other 'kids' because they need me and I need them."

So with the strong belief that she had to wake up for her animals--after 12 days she miraculously did. Remembering this later, she said tearfully, "I woke up. And the first words that I uttered were Mister D."

Though she had to remain in rehabilitation for some time, having to learn to walk and speak again, she finally came home. Of course, all of her companion animals received a loving embrace -- especially Mister D. who she feels was the reason she was able to summon all her energies to get well. She has called him her musketeer and protector. And she notes that he had given her the security, protection, and love that she never received from people.

She hopes her story will inspire others to rescue animals rather than buying them because, as she explains--there will always be a bond between you and that pet that can never be broken.