Bella's story - how her death motivated me to start this site

If you are in need of urgent advice and support regarding your pets health please contact Jill Moss -07860 879079 (From the USA 01144 7860 879079). Otherwise email info@thebellamossfoundation.com and ask for our factsheets.

     Bella Louise Moss December 22nd 1993 - August 23rd 2004 Kennel Club Name – Priscilla Princess

This is a story of the unique relationship, Shared for 8 years by a human and a canine creature. This is the story of a dog that didn’t know how to die, how her life was ended unnecessarily following routine surgery. This story is a warning of how the simple act of chasing a squirrel can end one life and devastate another. But, most of all, this is a story of love and respect, and hope that though this partnership was tragically broken, it will be instrumental in ensuring that animals in this country can be protected from veterinary ignorance in the future. Bella was my companion, buddy and confidante; what happened to her: Shouldn’t happen to a dog. By Jill Moss

The Story of Bella - Video




Listen to audio interview with Jill Moss at Crufts:
http://tpbaudioserver.co.uk/crufts/2008/audio.html

I was a single woman, living a free lifestyle, and I had never owned a pet. I was a working actress and hardly at home.  I had to visit a local osteopath, as I sat waiting in her living room, a bundle of white fluff jumped on my lap and it was love at first sight.  Bella (then a six month old puppy) was later to become the focus of my life. 

The family that owned her told me that their 8-year-old son had appeared in ‘Bisto’ television commercials and ‘Bisto’ had given Bella to them as a gift.

I later discovered that they did not have time for her that she had never socialised or been out for walks.  They willingly gave me the keys to their house, and I took Bella out regularly. I was so happy to see her running around, her pink tongue hanging out of her mouth as she enjoying her newfound freedom.

Often I’d enter the house only to find her locked out in the rain, or in the shed, or in the dark, distressed and so relieved to see me.  Being left alone for long periods, she had become destructive and was constantly being punished. Her spirit was low. I took her away for a weekend to the coast.

The family telephoned me to say they did not want her back, and, there and then, I was the proud owner of this beautiful creature.  Bella immediately settled into my home, taking possession of the garden, and gave up her destructive ways. 

A week later, the family demanded I return her to them as they had changed their minds.  Eventually we agreed that if I paid them £500.00, they would hand over the ownership papers.

My life as an actress and broadcaster was erratic to say the least.  However, it did bring me into contact with many celebrities and famous politicians. Living with me seemed to help Bella’s spirit flourish and, far from training her, I persuaded her to agree with me!  She was a free spirit and I respected her for that.

Bella was good at letting me know all of her needs, she loved to talk and like her mum, she was a born entertainer. The way she chatted endlessly warmed my heart.  I began to reply ‘woo,oo’ in her language and we had many long conversations.

Bella accompanied me wherever I worked.  In fact, after sneaking her into the studios at AA road watch where I was broadcasting traffic reports on the radio, she talked to the whole of Kent and I was sacked!  Bella escorted me to film premieres, gallery openings, showbiz and cultural events and she very quickly became the star wherever she went.  Tony Blair, found us wandering the corridors of the House of Commons and had a long conversation with Bella where she took the opportunity to give him her opinions of his latest manifesto for that year.

Local shop owners, with strict ‘no dog signs’ on their premises, would invite her in for chats, and explained happily to other customers that Bella was not a dog, but well, a person in a furry white coat.

At The Actors Centre in London, where I attended acting classes with the likes of Glenda Jackson and Dame Judy Dench, Bella soon became a regular member of the audience and regularly brushed up on her thespian skills. I took her to castings in Soho, London, and more often than not she would get the job! Well, that’s showbiz.

Wherever we went together we became known as the glamorous chatty blondes!

Elstree flying club had summer parties and made Bella, who was always the centre of attention, an honouree flying club member.

One of her greatest attributes was her gentleness towards children and other animals.  If, on the other hand, you were a male dog, you’d better watch out.

She was never in any doubt who was boss. Dominating but always gentle, people and animals alike knew where they stood!

Life with Bella was full of fun and adventures.  Bella’s vocal talents led her to be a star on ‘whose been framed’, where she was a seen kissing a hamster on the nose and telling long stories to whoever would listen. I could go nowhere without being stopped by people who felt compelled to touch her, and she was constantly being invited in for tea by elderly people we met.  Bella became a pet companion and gave pleasure to a lot of people who suffered from loneliness.

St James’s Palace in London invited me to a ball, and of course, I wore white.
Bella had long chats with Princess Margaret.  Royalty adored her for her wilfulness and determined attitude to life.  When we met Prince Charles himself at a polo match, he pointed to us and said “What a stunner”. Of course, he meant Bella not me!

A born flirt, Bella loved the guys! Many a charming lad would comment about the beauty walking along side me. Often drivers of expensive cars would park up; get out to make friends with her.  In the back of my car, she was always making eyes at the men.   Lorry drivers, police, and many more pulled up at traffic lights to ask me what kind of gorgeous creature was Bella…and she made the most of this attention.

Bella adored her food. Many London restaurants were known to prepare special dishes to cater for her expensive taste. Treats were not given to Bella.  Oh no.  We would make a visit to a pet shop, where she would go to the shelf and take whatever took her fancy, this amused the owners so much we were never charged for the half bitten biscuits on the floor.

Tragedy struck our life in 2000, when my partner was killed in a plane crash.  Had it not been for Bella waking me every morning with her determination to give me a good talking to, I dread to think how I might have managed to overcome the loss.

Bella’s latter years brought the onset of arthritis.  We made our walks shorter but more often; I took her for regular hydrotherapy at the Royal Veterinary College (where once again her star qualities shone), and she was photographed swimming on the front page of the Royal Veterinary College’s newsletter.

In addition to twice-weekly swims, regular short walks, and a new diet designed for arthritis, Bella had weekly acupuncture sessions with homeopathic vet Richard Allport. It became my priority to ensure that Bella had the best veterinary care and that she did not suffer any more than she needed to.  I was glad to make this commitment to her.

Never a day went by in my life when I did not appreciate the very special qualities that Bella possessed.  She knew what she wanted and didn’t want, and this made her unique. Everyone who came in to contact with her was mesmerised by her beauty and endeared by her fun personality. (Please read tributes)

Bella and I were meant to be together. The incredible bond which we shared was ever apparent to all those who knew us. We were devoted to each other and even though there were times we had to be apart, we were never separated in spirit.

It is for this reason that what followed is a tale of tragedy

In July 2004, Bella was enjoying her usual chase of a squirrel, when her cruciate ligament ruptured.  I rushed her into the Medivet 24 hour hospital in Hendon, where previously Bella received great care.

Her usual vet performed emergency surgery before leaving for a three-week vacation.  A week later, Bella was off her food and seemed in great pain.  Another vet who knew Bella visited us at home and prescribed pain medication, before leaving for a two-week vacation.

Following this visit, her leg became swollen, before bursting open with pus.  With both vets away, she was admitted back into the Hendon hospital where she remained for a week. There seemed no clear plan for her treatment, and many conflicting opinions were offered to me.  I visited throughout each day and evening, but became increasingly concerned about the treatment she was receiving.  Antibiotics were given (by now this was two and half weeks after the initial surgery) and the hands of vet staff squeezed the wound trying to expel pus.  Bella had a high temperature and was mostly in a small cage in the main hospital with no fan.  A heavy coat and temperature combined she was distressed and uncomfortable.  My requests to provide her with air conditioning went unmet until, in the end, I had to find the air conditioning unit myself.  She had a persistent cough, which alarmed me. Although I was told it was due to irritation of the windpipe following the surgery, I found it difficult to feel convinced.

Unhappy with the care she received and following the discovery that her wound was infected; I contacted dog magazines to find out about orthopaedic specialist vet care in my area.  I demanded that Medivet refer Bella to Davies White Specialist Veterinary Hospital in Bedfordshire.

Had I not moved Bella out of the Hendon hospital she would have died that day.  After examination by the vet at Davis White, she was rushed in for emergency surgery. Undetected by Medivet, Bella was now suffering from a urinary-tract infection and the onset of pneumonia, and was in septic shock. One week in the Medivet, hospital had resulted in this severity of infection.

During the emergency operation at Davies White, Bella’s wound was re-opened and washed, all of the nylon sutures that had been placed there by Medivet were removed, and antibiotic beads were inserted into the joint. Staff at Davies White did not think that Bella would survive given her age and the severity of the infection, and it was only later that they discovered how hard she would fight to live.

During that afternoon, I sat on the grass verge outside the hospital. Then later, as Bella fought for her life, I fought the vets to let me have regular visits with her. How could I explain the importance Bella had to me, and the importance I had to her? How could I explain, without seeming to be completely off the rails, that Bella needed me to be there with her? I was determined that if she were to die, I was not going to let her go without me being there.

Over the next week, she made a vast improvement. I realised that, had I known about the care and treatment that Davies White gave, I would have insisted on her being transferred much earlier. Even when it became known that her infection was MRSA, their approach was professional, caring and, above all, effective.

Bella was discharged home after three weeks and Davis White returned responsibility for her continuing care to Medivet.  (As they are a referral centre only) The plan was to wait about two months and then do reconstructive surgery on the leg on the assumption that she would continue to improve. Sadly, it didn’t happen. Bella deteriorated and needed another emergency admission to Medivet when her condition suddenly worsened.

What followed for her and me was a living hell.

Confined with Bella who was now critically ill in a consulting room, our last 48 hours together were a nightmare in which I watched as confused and frightened veterinary nurses, afraid of becoming infected themselves, abandoned her, and vets gave me conflicting advice. It was down to me to change her bedding and incontinence pads, take her temperature, and cool her fever with wet towels.  Left to care for her myself, I could only hope to give her the comfort of my presence and then the release that she finally had to have as she was by now in organ failure.

Bella died of MRSA for two reasons.  Firstly, the surgery for her cruciate ligament infected her with MRSA and this went undetected by the variety of vets treating her for three weeks. Secondly, I didn’t know there were such things as specialist veterinary centres, and had to take it upon myself to find Bella the best care once I lost faith in Medivet. 

 

Today Bella and I would still be together

 

Had I known that MRSA existed in dogs at all and been aware of some of the symptoms to watch for, I would have been alerted to the risks; had I questioned the veterinary care she was receiving I might have saved her life.  And, had I been aware of places like Davies White, the infection could have been prevented from spreading through her body and ending her life prematurely and with suffering.

Had Medivet not been in denial about the existence of MRSA in their hospital and completely inadequate to provide barrier nursing, I would not have had to be confined in a room watching Bella suffer as nurses refused to treat her.  The trauma of this memory continues to haunt me.

Bella died of MRSA because of ignorance and incompetence. She should still be with me now and this is a fact I have to live with.

I hope that Bella’s story will alert dog owners to the risks that exist in veterinary clinics and hospitals.  It is not just the risk of contamination through surgery, but also the risk that MRSA DOES exist in animals that just like us can become colonised and be susceptible to further infection at any time.

It is my hope that Bella’s premature and unnecessary death will go some way towards making important changes in the field of veterinary medicine. 

Facts

MRSA is crossing the barrier from human to animal

MRSA exists in small animals and if caught in time in most cases can be successfully treated.

What needs to be done for the future

More research into how small animals become colonised and infected with MRSA. 

The British Veterinary Association and Royal College of vets need to implement strict guidelines for vets and nursing staff in how to avoid and control life-threatening infections. 

Veterinary hospitals need to receive clear advice on barrier nursing techniques

Vets need to clean up their act, their theatres and their attitudes.

Animals dying of infections post-routine surgery is not bad luck

It is negligence!

Comments

[Don Bridges]

I came across this site when researching the disease. Thank for sharing the story it goes a long way in offering support to others. I certainly wish your mother all the best

[claire davis]

HI SORRY TO HERE WHAT HAPPENED WITH YOUR DOG,IVE JUST HAD THE SAME THING HAPPEN.I HAD A 13 YEAR OLD STAFFORDSHIRE BULL TERRIER WHO HAD A YEARLY CHECK UP LAST WEEK, THE VET SAID HE NEEDED TEETH REMOVED.ON FRIDAY 19TH JUNE 08 HE HAD 10 TEETH REMOVED I PICKED HIM UP THAT EVENING AND HE SEEMED FINE.ON SATURDAY MORNING I THOUGHT HE HAD A STROKE HIS SIDE WAS SAGGING I TOOK HIM STRAIGHT TO THE VETS & THEY SAID IT WAS A BUILD UP OF FLUID FROM THE OP.THEY GAVE ME MORE ANTIBOITICS HE STARTED TO BE SICK THEN HIS LEG DOUBLED IN SIZE AND THE SAGGING HAD TURNED INTO WHAT LOOKED LIKE A BIG BLISTER.HE WENT BACK TO THE VETS WAS GIVEN MORE TABLETS & THEY TOLD ME IT COULD BE AN ABSCESS BUT WASNT SURE HE SPENT THE DAY AT THE VETS AS THEY WANTED TO KEEP AN EYE ON HIM.WHEN I PICKED HIM UP THEY TOLD ME HE WAS ANIMIC SO THEY TOOK BLOOD TO FIND WHATS CAUSED THIS HE WAS THEN SICK AGAIN SO THEY INJECTED HIM WITH SOME THING TO STOP HIM BEING SICK.I TOOK HIM HOME AND THIS MORNING HE HAD WET HIS BED WAS SICK AGAIN AND HIS EYES LOOKED LIKE HE WAS ON DRUGS.JUST LOOKING AT HIS EYES I NEW THIS WAS THE END.I CALLED THE VETS THEY SAID GO STRAIGHT DOWN.WE GOT THERE AND I WAS JUST SOBBING MY HEART OUT.THEY HAD GOT RESULTS BACK AND TOLD ME HE HAD CAUGHT MRSA AND THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO SO HE WAS PUT DOWN,ALL THEY SAID TO ME WAS THEY WOULD INVESTIGATE WEATHER HE HAD CAUGHT IT FROM THEM OR NOT. BUT FOR HIM TO HAVE OP, THEN THE NEXT DAY ENDS UP WITH SAGGY LUMP WHICH FORMS INTO A BLISTER THEN MRSA TELLS ME IT WAS THEM AT FAULT AND IF HE NEVER HAD HIS TEETH OUT HE WOULD STILL BE WITH ME NOW.IT COST ME £311 FOR THE TEETH OUT THEN ANOTHER £340 FOR 5 OR MORE DIFFERANT ANTIBIOTICS THE INJECTION TO PUT HIM TO SLEEP AND TO HAVE HIM CREMATED. I FEEL I SHOULD BE REFUNDED THE MONEY AS THEY KILLED MY DOG IN MY EYES.

[Donna King]

I would love the information for the vets. I have been fighting MRSA for 2 yrs now. I am now of very powerful antibiotics because I have another infection in my nose.
We have two cats. My vet says she knows nothing about treating cats (or animals) for MRSA. I have called the State vet but have not gotten a response yet. Could you send me your vet information.
Thank you for telling your very painful story. Poor Bella and poor you. She did not die in vain though.
Donna

[MRSA Superbug]

Rainy, As far as I know animals can give humans MRSA. People need to be very careful if their animal has a pussy wound.

Bella's story is inspirational and I'm sorry for your loss.

[Chris]

I sorry for you loss. It seems to have ended far to early. I have two dogs and I know my family would be a wreck if we lost one.

[ANITAPIA]

My family has recently suffered bouts of MRSA. My cocker has also shown signs of an infection. My doctor suggested that I get my dog tested. I took my dog to the vet for a test and the vet took the swab and swabbed a healed skin spot where an ulcer had been. It is now a circle of dry patch with no hair. When I asked him why he was doing it there instead of testing my dogs nose he paused and went to phone a lab (or that is what he said) when he returned he said that the lab told him to do it this way. The test was VERY EXPENSIVE and I am not confident that he tested my dog right. Do you know the correct way to test a dog for MRSA? Can MRSA be tested the way he did it?

Thanks so much!

[marisol maren]

I am very concerned about this bacteria! and how is affecting everybody, specially schools, kids don't wash their hands that often. Is important to talk to them about higiene!

[connie]

As i read this story i was crying. I an a dog groomer and i love every one of them. I was not aware that small animals could get MRSA. I hate loosing any of my dogs to natural causes, but this is not natural. Is there any flyers or posters stating anything about MRSA in pets so i can let the owners know.so all pet owners should know what to look for.
thank you so much for sharing that story with us without you i would not have known that pets could get it . the way i found out more about it my daughter has the begenning stages of it .she got medical attention and so doing fine i pray that it stays that way .

[Monica]

I just came across your website doing some research on MRSA as I just got the devastating news from my HIV+ brother that he has MRSA. I have 3 dogs myself who I can't imagine living without. You are so incredibly courageous to have gone through such devastation and still want to help others by sharing your story. I am in tears looking at the pictures of your precious Bella. She was so incredibly beautiful and just by looking at her I can see all those wonderful qualities you speak of. I am so sorry that you have lost each other. At the moment, I am terrified. Terrified of what my brother faces. I hope that it's nothing and that with some medication he will be fine. But, I am terrified to think that it may not be that simple. Thank you for sharing your story as it is an inspiration to me right now. I will share your story now with everyone I know not only for the obvious safety reasons but so they can be just as inspired and so they can see how beautiful Bella was. This is what keeps wonderful memories alive.

[Christine D.]

Oh, sweet Bella. Her story really left an impression with me. I will share this experience with my friends because it's very informative and something that people should know about.

I listened to your interview on DogCast Radio recently and I was in tears. I looked up MRSA and the first link I clicked on was your site, actually.

[Kathy K Stair]

I work around MRSA as part of my job. I did not know though I should have known that it could spread. This is all the more reason for me to remember to constantly follow all precautions. Washing hands before leaving work. and to wash my hands prior to petting my dog when I get home. I will make sure my new vet is aware that this deadly infection can spread from humans to animals. Thank you so much for your story.

[Donna Tomblin]

I am so sorry to hear of your loss, as I have 2 canine children. I would be lost without my babies! They provide so much comfort and joy to me. I know Bella is in a better place looking down on you and watching every move that you make. You are truly a remarkable person, as some would not be this dedicated to their children, and just not care. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for sending out your message about MRSA and exactly what damage it can do. I am a nursing assistant in a local facility and find myself in contact with this disease frequently, but even thru the worst of it I still try to provide the utmost dignity and the best of care to my patients no matter what they may have. Thank you for your story. May God bless you.

[jill moss]

Just to let you know that I am replying individually to all of you who have concernes about mrsa or cross infection, rather than here on the forum. If you do not get a reply email me at info@thebellamossfoundation.com 07860 879079

[Sue Smith]

Hi Jill,
I have never trusted doctors for reasons which would make another harrowing story and I trust vets even less. The years of exceptional relationship Bella shared with you outnumber her youthfull mishandling and even those terrible, terrible final days.
I have grown sons and grandchildren at various ages and love them all but there is always a special place I keep right in the middle of my heart for my 'boys'. The ones forever gone and the one here now, Harvey. All English Bull Terriers and all unique characters and all precious.
Next week I will be at my vets for Harvey to get his kennel cough done and I will bring the subject of MRSA up with him to see if he is aware.
Bella the Beautiful will live forever in your heart.
Best wishes, Sue

[sonia]

I can't believe what happened to you and your bella which is your baby. Reading your story was very hard. I have a baby chi, call me crazy but I don't like to use the word dog, because to me their like my children. I'm going to distribute your story to my vet and emergency hospital where I take my baby, I want them to know that this is our loved ones life they hold in their hands, and because of vet negligiance these tragic things happen. Thank you for sharing your story it means alot makes us aware of whats out there. Because you shared Bella story she will never be forgotten she will always be remembered of all the wonderful things she did with you and all those she helped to make aware of mrsa. I wish you the best and again want to thank you and your beautiful Bella.

sonia

[john]

I currently have a cane corso mastiff that is suffering from MRSA is there any words of encourgement that any one has for me? She is only 1.5 years old.

[andreea]

i'm so sorry because you lost your best friend....i'm from romania and i read your story and i started ti cry because i have a pet too but not a dog....i have two guinea pigs and they are my life even if they are little and don't understant people language....but i love them from the bottom of my heart....i've lost too my pets a time ago but i've bought another....so keep thinking at bella as she is there with you and don't suffer anymore....sorry again

[sarah]

dear jill and bella,

i'm sorry to hear about that remarkable tale and a tragety. i really don't think Bella ever really left you and even though Bella's gone now she is in a better place I know that sounds cheap and you probably heard it a-million times but every time you hear it just think about it and know it is true. Speaking of the truth, i'm actually a 12 yr-old who just spent 1 whole hour reading and now im writing. I have MRSA and NO doubt IT HURTS! they say it starts out as a spider-bite-looking thing and i have that! I havent totally convinced my parents that it is though.----Oh well guess it will have to sink in to my skin first,or really hurt. your friend
Sarah J. Tuoni

[Jill Moss]

Thank you for your email and I am sorry to hear what happened to your dog at work.

MRSA is a bacteria not a virus it is not airbourne and as a fragile bacteria it has to penetrate broken skin to become a problem, although sometimes people and animals can carry the staph bacteria harmlessley in their noses and throats without ever developing an infection. (more can be found on this on our Q & A section on the website)

I am confident your dog is not at risk, the staph aureaus bacteria that becomes resistant to antibiotics and then becomes mrsa is an opportunistic bacteria that really only becomes a real problem when it penetrates broken skin. A person with mrsa fussing over your dog could not cause your dog to become infected, but there is a very small possibility and it is small one that your dog may become colonized by coming into close proximity with a person who has mrsa. (It depens on the degree of contact) I would say an animal living with a person with mrsa is more likely to become colonised than an animal whom has had a brief encounter.

What is important to remembers is that a healthy animal is not at risk and even if they temporarily carry staph in the nose and throat their own immune sytsem wilbut the immune system will deal with it.

What I would do, if I were you is take our factsheet into your vet, make sure they understand all about mrsa in animals tell them we have literature for vets if they would like some sent. If you are really worried for the sake of £22.00 you can have your vet take a nasal swab from your dogs nose to see if it is positive for carriage.

I hope that this has helped do not hesitate to get in touch if you want to know more

[Kerisa]

wow, i'm so sorry this had to happen to you, I lost a pet last year to a brain tumor, and although it wasn't the same losing a pet is something no one should have to do alone :( I hope you find a dog that brings you joy again and i'm glad you made this site

As a vet student at the moment, i'm disappointed how the veterinary profession is portrayed by some of your posters. We are taught about MRSA at Uni, but it is still a developing area, hence why some vets have been unsure of its relevance in animals unitl recently. it is possible for MRSA to be transmitted from human to animal, and yes in a ideal world every pet would be swabbed for infection, and as such every owner, but it just isn't feasable at present. Veterinary professionals work as hard as possible to take care of pets in pressured situations.
I also disagree with a posters comment about the veterinary profession going down hill due to the number of female graduates. in my opinion that is blatent female discrimination. There are more women in the profession, and yes they do go and have children, but most return after and continue wiht the job as they love it so much. i am disappointed that this old fashioned attitude still exists in the work place today!
I would also like to reasure people that not all vet practices are as those described above! People should ensure that there pets get the best treatments possible and don't just pick practices becuase of their low cost etc.

[JIll Moss]

Jane and others who have asked questions about infection control I have responded to your personal emails and sent you relevent information for you and your vet.

[Hi Jill]

Your website was the very first one that I looked out when I was reasearching MRSA and dogs. I am so sorry for your loss and apreciate you sharing your's and Bella's story. I had been exposed to MRSA when my mother who has sence passed away contacted it through dyalisis. My sister and her entire family has had to be treated for MRSA outbreaks which started about 1 year after my mother's passing. My sister and myself have been sanitizing our entire houses and taken all of the recommended precautions and treatments. I was worried about my minature Daschound (Pistol)and wether or not he can catch it. I have to shower in a medicated wash on a routine basis and had to take an ointment treatment in my nostrils and fingernails to hopefully avoid an outbreak. Are there any precautions that I need to take the protect my little one?
Best wishes,
Jane

[Jill Moss]

Thank you for all of your comments - please note that I reply individually and not to each posting on the website. At no time are posts deleted unless they offend. The Bella Moss Foundation works closely with the veterinary profession organising veterinary seminars and educational training sessions on infection control and we are also working on an international platform to bring together leading clinicians and researchers to look at mrsa transmission from humans to animals. If you require any help or advise my number is on the front of this website
email
info@thebellamossfoundation.com

The work that I do behind the scenes of this website is very important, we raise awareness amaongst pet owners and help veterinary professionals to enage with their colleagues at leading veterinary hospitals when cases present difficult or beyond the knowledge of veterinary teams.

If you come across this post and would like more information on the work of the foundation then please do email me

[Marie Wiorski]

Thank you for sharing with us the details of your life with Bella. I know this was not easy, but it brings awareness of MRSA to many who are unaware about the dangers. My prayers go out to all who have had and who are currently dealing with this illness. I came across your site after discovering my mother contracted MRSA. I was concerned for our children (four Chihuahuas). Hopefully my mother does not have a serious case of MRSA and she will respond to the antibiotics so that all will be fine very soon. Again, thank for your courage and kindness in sharing your story. May God Bless you for being the wonderful person you are!!! Most cordially, Marie from Chicago, Illinois U.S.A.