Tov's Story

I sent this letter to The New York Times Puppy Diaries comment section in response to their article "When the Patient Can't Speak."  I wanted everyone to know about AMC and how the doctors saved my puppy's life!

March 16th, 2010
1:07 pm
Dear Ms. Abramson and Scout:

I am so very sorry you both endured such a frightening sequence of events – and thrilled that you are well again. My 11-year old "puppy" (gorgeous purebred white poodle and a volunteer therapy dog) and I have been there and back and understand completely the terrifying fear and helplessness that overwhelms you when something is suddenly terribly wrong.

Two summers ago everything changed for us overnight: Tov was his usual bouncy, loving, happy self when we went to bed, cuddled against me as always, but when I woke in the morning he wasn't there and for several minutes I couldn't find him. Then I saw him, hidden beneath a table in the living room - which he never did - curled up and wide awake. For the first time I could remember he didn't come to me when I called him, wouldn't let me touch or comfort him. He was absolutely still. Although we lived in NY city I called our long-time, trusted vet in Northwest CT where we also lived and asked if I should drive the two hours to bring him there. He told me not to even think of it, to jump into a cab and take him immediately to the Animal Medical Center on 62nd Street.

 When we got there he was wrapped in my arms, listless, completely quiet. A cardiac specialist saw us immediately, listened to his heart and very softly told me, "You need to give him to me and let us do what we can." She was gentle and insistent; I was hysterical.

My beautiful,loving,devoted best friend, this amazing light in the world, perfectly healthy the night before as always, had had a massive heart attack. Once he was settled in the ICU, attached to all kinds of tubes and monitors, they let me in to see him. When he saw me he struggled to move to the front of the cage as I stood sobbing, reaching out to touch him through the screen. His eyes were wide and fixed on mine. "Thank you Tov, thank you," I whispered, telling him how much joy he had brought into my life. Doctors, nurses, and techs gathered around us, trying to console me. It was heartbreaking.

He made it through the day and that night, then the next day and night. I was there hour after hour, went home only to sleep. After 11 days in the ICU Tov came home. The doctors still don't know what caused this massive attack, but they never gave up on him. Now, two years later – with four different meds each day and semiannual echocardiograms – he is, and has been, the same sparkling, delicious, loving partner to my heart and soul as he always was. Dr. Fox, head of Cardiology at the AMC calls him "Our miracle dog." God was with us and the doctors – they were extraordinary. Every person we interacted with at AMC – doctors, techs, admin and billing people, even the receptionists! – were kind, professional, responsive, committed and dedicated to helping us. Dr. Fox continues to be in touch with our vet in CT - and the two of them have had a continuing dialogue since the day we got there, sharing info and results, updates, etc. Incredible colleague-ship!!! I only wish my mom, whom I lost several months ago, could have had the same level of care and concern from her doctors in Florida.

Moral of our story: if you live in NYC and have a crisis with your pet go immediately to the AMC. They saved Tov's life, and I continue to thank them in my prayers every day. You will too!

All the best for a long, loving life together with your pets! JK and TOV