MY FIRST PHYSICIAN’S ASSISTANT: Eulogy for Elliot

Ann Troy, MD

After reading “Here Come the Dogs,” by Irina deFischer, MD, in the Winter 2015 issue of Marin Medicine, Dr. Troy emailed us her “Eulogy to Elliott,” written in 2007. We felt it merited sharing with Marin’s entire medical community.

Elliott was, to put it simply, the world’s most wonderful dog. He was evaluated as a puppy by Canine Companions for Independence, who wanted to use him as a breeder. Somehow, he got neutered by mistake and they were devastated: “This is the best dog we have ever seen!” He could also have been a magnificent show dog—except that he had a 1-cm scar on his nose.

Their loss was my gain. This gorgeous golden retriever was given to me, by his breeder, when he was six years old—the most wonderful gift I have ever received.

Thus, he began a new career as a physician’s assistant in a pediatric office. He was there to warmly welcome and reassure patients and their parents, to distract and comfort a frightened child, to cuddle up with while having a breathing treatment or waiting for lab results, and to make us all laugh and smile. There were occasional photographic emergencies, when I ran from the exam room to get my camera and take a picture of a patient with Elliott! At the next visit, the patient would be given the photo to treasure forever.

Elliott was so gentle, I could trust him with a two-week-old baby and, somehow, their mothers knew it too. Once, he was standing in my waiting room with his mouth open, and a little boy who had just learned to walk waddled up to him and stuck his hand and a biscuit into Elliott’s mouth. Much to our stunned amazement, Elliott just stood there, perfectly still! This little boy’s mother used to be afraid of dogs and had let out a yelp the first time she saw him. She quickly fell in love with him and gave him a hug whenever she came. Many people overcame their fear of dogs with Elliott. Fear turned to love.

There were patients who might, otherwise, be reluctant to see a doctor who would happily agree to come to my office because they knew he’d be there. There were even patients who would pretend to be sick so they could come see Elliott! The many drawings of him on my waiting room walls are testimony to how important he was and how much he was loved.

Elliott was beautiful and he knew it. He heard that word so often that he responded to it as he would his name. Once I entered an exam room and exclaimed to a four year old, “You are so beautiful!” and Elliott came bounding in, much to everyone’s delight!

I never had to worry about Elliott being lonely. If I tied him up outside a shop, there was always a throng of people petting him and telling him how beautiful he was. When we walked, he would not let me walk past anyone who could pet him—and, almost always, people wanted to.

He was the most wonderful dog anyone could have. He never hurt any of the treasures in my house, he never dug in the garden, he always pooped where I wanted him to, he was good in the car, and he never barked. He was always, loyally, at my side. He was the most patient, loving and gentle being I have ever known.

Elliott died, peacefully, in my arms on September 10, 2007, after almost 13 years of living and loving life fully. He will be sorely missed—and loved forever.

---

Dr. Troy has practiced solo pediatrics for 14 years and has recently joined Dr. Yamaguchi at Terra Linda Pediatrics.

Email: anntroy@sonic.net