Why My Dog is Named Oliver

I apologize for my recent lack of musical theater postings, but it's been a very difficult week. Oliver, my beloved cocker spaniel, came down with a blood disease called immune-mediated thrombocytopenia, a condition in which his immune system began to attack his platelets, making clotting difficult. His gums started to bleed, and the next thing I knew he was admitted into the critical care unit at Angell Memorial, the best animal hospital in the country, and one of the best in the world.

Fortunately, I happen to live right across the street from Angell, in a section of Boston known as Jamaica Plain. I recall a while back while I was walking Oliver around the grounds of Angell and chatting up this woman who was walking her yellow lab. The woman had an accent, and I asked her where she was from. Turns out it was Bermuda. Did she relocate from that sunny island? No, she commutes up every two weeks to get chemotherapy for her dog. That's how good Angell is.

This week has been a wild ride both in terms of treatment options and emotional extremes. As you can tell by the prominence I give Oliver's picture on this site, I am inordinately fond of my dog, almost preternaturally so. You know how some people in really tough times clam up, lie in bed, and refuse all calls? I'm not one of those people. When I'm in a crisis, I grab the phone and pour my heart out to any and all who have the time and patience to listen. It's a mess, but fortunately I have wonderful friends who can withstand the slobbering.

As for the title of this post, Oliver got his name from the story of my less-than-immaculate conception. I was conceived the night that my parents saw the musical Oliver! on Broadway. (How are they sure of the exact night? They're Catholic. 'Nuff said.) More important, why did they feel the need to share this information with me? I can't recall the context in which it first arose. All I know is that I know, as do most of my nearest and dearest. When my friend Richard Carey saw Love! Valour! Compassion! on Broadway, he called me up immediately after the show and said "Chris, Terrence McNally stole your birth story!" In the play, the character Buzz tells the audience that he was conceived the night his parents saw Wildcat on Broadway. Close enough to be actionable, but I'm not the litigious sort.

Well, after eight long days and seven difficult nights, my boy is back home with me. He's a little weary for the wear, and they had to shave the middle of each of his four legs to accommodate all the needles for the transfusions and whatnot, which makes him look a bit too much like a poodle for my tastes. But he's my boy, and he's home, and I'd take him bald and painted Day-Glo orange if I had to. Please send your thoughts, prayers, vibrations, emanations, or whatever cosmic energy you ascribe to in Oliver's general direction to expedite a speedy recovery for my beloved boy.

And we'll send the same out to you.

Comments

[Steve On Broadway (SOB)]

Dear Chris,

I've wondered where you've been, as yours is the first blog I always dutifully check each and every morning when I log onto my computer. So sorry to hear about Oliver, but am glad to know he's doing better.

Thanks also for sharing that great story. It sure gives added meaning to the title of your blog.

Wishing both you and Oliver nothing but the best.

Steve

[chris caggiano]

Steve,

You're so sweet. This week has been hell, and I'm so glad to have my little boy home. Somehow musical theater took a backseat to making sure my boy was OK. It's nice to be able to put things into perspective.

Warmest regards,

Chris

[Esther]

Chris,
My thoughts are definitely with you and Oliver. I love his picture on your blog. He looks like such a cutie!

And what a great theater story! I remember going to see the movie "Oliver!" when I was a kid. It was probably one of the first movie musicals I ever saw in the theater, as opposed to on television, and I remember really loving it, even though it was kind of grim and scary in parts. I think I even had the soundtrack.

I will definitely be sending all the positive energy I can muster Oliver's way. He has the best possible medical care, and he has your love. It's a great combination.

[chris caggiano]

Thanks so much, Esther. He really is a very sweet boy, rendered uncharacteristically docile by this ordeal, but he's definitely starting to show signs of his normal self, including his voracious appetite. Thanks again for your kind words and thoughts. Oliver is extremely special to me. My close friends think it borders on obsession, but I can live with the stigma.

Warmest regards,

Chris

[M Light]

Prayers for Oliver and for you!

I think Oliver! was the second movie musical I memorized the soundtrack for. The Sound of Music was the first - back when I was about 6.

[SarahB]

I'm so glad Oliver is home where he belongs. I'm sending good thoughts to you both.

[Alicia]

Glad to hear that you, emotionally, and Oliver, physically, are on the mend.

Welcome back - to you and Oliver! :)

[Mike]

Chris,

I know what you went through. I had the same sort of scare with my Westie last year with a liver disease. Trying to find a vet on a Sunday in New York City in a rainstorm is no fun either. Hope Oliver is back to his old self soon. No one will ever love you like that pup!

[Sarah]

Hi Chris,

My prayers and energy definitely go out to you and Oliver. I've lost two cocker spaniels to this disease, most recently, my boy Judge on Monday, February 11, 2008. It is not easy, but I know that when caught in time there are several things they can do to help them survive. Both of my buddies were rescue dogs and the instance of thrombocytopenia was most likely not their first (according to my vet). I send you both the most loving, healing pink energy (that's how I see it, pink and gold) and pray for a long happy life for you both. Thank you for sharing your story, it was quite moving.
Sarah, Simonie, and Judge

[chris caggiano]

Sarah,

I can't tell you how honored and touched I was to read your post on my blog, especially given the recency of your loss. I was eating in a cafe and surfing through my site when I came upon your post and I just started to cry right there. Please let me offer my most heartfelt condolences to you for the loss of your dogs. I know the intense pain that I've been going through, so I can only begin to imagine what you're feeling.

Oliver seems to be doing fine, for now, and responding nicely to treatment. I think we caught it very early in the process. And Angell is just an amazing facility. I can't say enough good things about them. Oliver's platelets are through the roof and his other counts are getting back to where they need to be. But I remain terrified that we'll see a recurrence, and I watch him every day for signs of relapse. The week that Oliver was in the hospital was easily the worst in my wife.

My thoughts go out to you in your time of loss. Please know that Oliver and I are both sending out your pink healing light, and hoping that you come to a place of peace.

Warmest regards,

Chris Caggiano