I, and many students who attended NCSU’s College of Veterinary Medicine, was saddened to hear reports of Mickey’s passing. I thought I would share with you a bit of his obituary of sorts. RIP Mickey.
An excerpt from “Remembering Mickey” in the Winter 2011 issue of NC State University’s CVM Magazine. Written by JN Osborne: “Mickey- a black and tan, miniature dachshund- joined the Neurology Service in 1999 after being surrendered by his owner when he suffered a disc herniation at age four that left him with no deep pain sensation or voluntary movement. His paralysis did not hamper his personality, however, and Mickey captured the hearts of all he met.
Mickey proved to be a great teacher over the years and spent many hours modeling bladder expression for tentative owners and students, zipping along hallways in his decorated K-9 cart, supervising the Neurology cubicle, and helping many to see that a paraplegic canine companion can lead a fulfilling and rewarding life. For years to come the memory of his spirit will influence members of the Neurology Service and the Spinal Cord Injury Program and the clients they serve who have mobility challenged pets. As writer Henry Adams once said, “A teacher affects eternity; he can never tell where his influence stops.”