The first pictures I saw of Socrates broke my heart. He had endured nine long years living in terrible conditions, surrounded by filth and confinement. He was severely emaciated, his body reduced to a mere skeleton, and his skin was covered in painful sores. Despite his obvious suffering, he never lost his spirit. I knew I had to do something to help him, even amidst my other responsibilities.
The following day, I paid a visit to Socrates. His fragile physique seemed too weak to combat illnesses and he appeared to be in a rather poor state. His face was swollen and his eyes were deeply sunken, making it seem like even if I were to speak at the loudest volume, he might not hear me. However, I was relieved to discover that Socrates still had a healthy appetite, which gave me hope that he could soon recover.
We made the necessary preparations to bring Socrates to the veterinarian. Dealing with a case like Socrates was new to me and it weighed heavily on my mind. My only hope was for a positive outcome for this dear creature. Unfortunately, the test results were devastating; it turned out that Socrates had bone cancer, something that I never anticipated. His back ankle was in very bad shape and it was determined that his back leg would need to be amputated.
I was optimistic that Socrates’s cancer could be cured and wouldn’t spread any further. However, the first step in his treatment was to undergo therapy at the vet’s office to boost his weight and immune system. I had been preparing him for the tough challenges he would face during this process. As a result of his improved health, Socrates had put on some weight, become more robust, and required more attention when it came to grooming. He had grown a lot of fur, but his positive demeanor gave me hope for his future.
I became friends with Socrates and visited him twice a day at the hospital to feed him. I put in extra effort in preparing his meals, ensuring that they were cooked to perfection. Socrates was taken outside for fresh air and to appreciate the scenery, which brought him joy. However, his battle against his illness seemed never-ending, as he suffered from a fever and diarrhea for two consecutive days.
Initially, I was anxious that he might be suffering from another viral illness. However, my apprehensions were put to rest as he was relocated to Los Angeles for faster medical care to combat his bone cancer. Thankfully, he would now have a loving family to support him through his journey.
Due to his advanced age, medical professionals opted not to remove Socrates’ hind leg. The general consensus was for Socrates to live out the rest of his days without risking harm to himself. Despite the challenge, he found pleasure in walking.
