Todays Helping of Chicken Soup for the Soul

[Guest guest]

Snowball's Miracle

By B. Gibbs

When I looked into her big brown eyes, my heart melted. She won me

over

instantly with her big sloppy kisses. That Christmas Eve morning, I

received my

most-wanted Christmas gift and a wonderful, new friend. Since the weather

was

freezing cold and the puppy was nothing but a little ball of white fur, the

name

Snowball seemed to be very fitting.

Snowball snuggled closely to me and went to sleep. Later that

afternoon, I

noticed that her eyes were turning red. She started coughing and sneezing.

Her

nose was running. I called the pet store where we adopted Snowball. The

manager

offered to refund our money or give us another puppy. The choice was ours.

" No way! " I shouted. " I already love her! " Instead, I called the

veterinarian's office and explained the circumstances. The receptionist

told us

to come right over since they were leaving early that day for the holidays.

After checking her over thoroughly, the doctor had a sorrowful expression on

his

face.

" It will be a miracle if this puppy lives through the night, " he sadly

whispered. " My recommendation would be to put her under. You should be

able to

obtain a full refund from the pet store. "

" I won't let her die without a fight, " I cried. " I'm taking Snowball

home

with me. "

When the doctor realized how determined I was, he gave Snowball a shot

and

handed me a bottle of medication to take home.

All night long, I held and nursed Snowball. Together, we sat beside

the

brightly lit Christmas tree and watched it twinkle. I fed her chicken broth

and

water with an eyedropper. When I finally dozed off, even though her

breathing

was labored, Snowball rested contently in my lap.

I was surprised when I awoke to a fabulous Christmas miracle. Even

though

she was still very sick, Snowball was alive. She had made it through the

night.

We became best friends that day. As the days passed, Snowball became

stronger

and stronger. Before long, she was the picture of health.

I'm so glad that I expected a miracle to occur that Christmas Eve. She

was

the best Christmas gift I've ever received. Today, sixteen years later,

Snowball is still alive and continues to demonstrate a zest for living.

Even

though Snowball can no longer see very well, her big brown eyes are still

captivating. They continue to warm my heart each time I gaze into them.