So, I got home very late last night after an exhausting day.I made my way upstairs and found Mike and Judy asleep. Shayna Maidel was sleeping on Mike, and Jackson was sleeping on Judy, as was their custom. Ladybug was down in the living room lying on the couch, fast asleep, with her legs stuck straight up in the air. She was snoring softly. I went back upstairs, jumped up in bed between all the sleeping beauties, settled in, groomed myself, and thought about my day.
I hadn’t visited Richard Donkle for a while, so I had headed over to his estate after lunch, when my homies regularly take one of their many naps. There was a lot of activity at one of the houses as I made my way along. I saw a fire truck, 3 or 4 police cars, an ambulance, and a bunch of people rushing in and out of the house. Naturally, I stuck around to see what all the fuss was about. After a while, two of the EMT guys carried someone out of the house on a gurney. I was close enough to see who it was, and darned if it wasn’t the girl who was with Hallie and that other kid the last time I visited the Donkles. (A Bade Vibe, posted 4/30/17; and Fake Jews, posted 5/26/17) She seemed out of it. I moved on. Coming to the Donkle’s estate I slipped through the Great Gate and strolled across the lawn of their 3 hole golf course. The four white German shepherds (Spades, Hearts, Diamonds, and Clubs—“The Suits” as I call them) kept their distance. They learned their lesson with me the first time I came for a visit (Veni, Vidi, Vici, posted 3/26/17). Richie’s Jeep and several other assorted vehicles were scattered in the circular drive, and in front of the 3 car garage. The patio door was open so I walked into the kitchen. Richie was sitting at the kitchen table with his mother, Bianca, and he was distraught. I realized that they were discussing the excitement I had just witnessed on my way over here. Joker was there too, his tongue hanging out, with a goofy smile on his face. He was the only one who noticed that I had come in, but he was too lazy to get up and greet me, or even to bark.
“God, mom. I thought she was dead!” said Richie. “Hallie and I came over to pick her up. She didn’t come downstairs when her mother let us in, so we went up to her room. She was passed out on the bed, with a goddamn needle stuck in her arm!”
“My Goodness, what did you do?” asked Bianca.
“I started shaking her, and Hallie ran to get her mom. She came running upstairs and started CPR. I called 911. Hallie was screaming. I told her to calm down and call Ashley’s father at work. He got there right after the first police car did. Then everything was happening at once. The paramedics arrived with Narcan, and a minute later she woke up. More cops came. Neighbors. Everyone. I couldn’t believe it. A freaking needle in her arm!”
“So you didn’t know Ashley was using drugs? She is one of Hallie’s best friends. They come over here all the time.”
“I knew she dabbled a little, but I had no idea she was shooting up. Jesus Christ!” Richie got up and started pacing around.
“Richie,” said Bianca, “Please don’t say that, unless you are praying. You know how I feel about using the Lord’s name like that.”
“I’m sorry, mother,” he replied. “I’m just so upset.”
Bianca got up and hugged her son. “Let me get you a cold drink,” she said. “Go sit back down.”
About that time Richard walked in. “What’s going on?” he asked. He glanced over at me. “Oh, hello Sambo,” he said.
“Ashley Grimes just OD’d,” said Bianca. “Richie and Hallie found her a little while ago.”
“Is she going to be okay?” asked Richard.
“We haven’t heard anything since she was taken to the hospital,” Bianca replied.
“They did arouse her before they took her away,” said Richie. “I just can’t believe this.”
They commenced to discuss the situation. Richie was grilled about whether he or Hallie used drugs, whether he knew of anyone else who used drugs, whether anyone had brought drugs to the house, and so on and so forth. The phone rang several times with both curious callers and updates. Richie was on his Smartphone more than he was off of it. I wanted to explore, but did not want to miss an opportunity for a dish of cream, now that Richard was there. Eventually my perseverance paid off. I also used a little persuasion by rubbing up against Richard’s leg.
After my delicious snack I went to look for Natasha, the Donkle’s cat. She lived under the comforter in the master bedroom for the most part, and that was where I found her. She was decidedly unsociable, so I nosed around for a while, used the box, and then stretched out on the white couch in the living room. It is not that I forgot that Jarmila, their maid, didn’t want me getting my luxurious black fur on her white sofa. It is more that I didn’t care. A cat has his spots, and this was one of mine, so she can just get used to it! I’m not sure how long I slept, but it was a good while. Inevitably, though, I was interrupted by a series of angry Polish expletives as I made a quick exit back to the kitchen. It was already dark outside. Things had calmed down. Apparently, Ashley was going to be okay, and discussions were being held about what to do with her next. Richie and Hallie had gone to the hospital. Richard had gone downstairs and conducted a careful search of the living area where the kids would hang out. He had found a pill, and I found him in his office at the computer, looking at pictures of pills. I rubbed up against his leg. He looked down at me.
“Roxicodone 30mg, Sambo,” he said. “It looks like Richie and I are going to have a little talk.”
He and I went up to tell Bianca, who appeared very upset. Drugs had invaded their world. I had had enough and went over and pawed at the patio door until Richard let me out. Mike talks about the opioid epidemic at home. He is a doctor who works with addicts in his practice, and he seems to enjoy it and helps enough people to make it worth the effort. He has written an article about addiction and Medication-Assisted Therapy (MAT) that is going up on his website in a few days. I will let you know when it is available, in case you are interested.
So close to me, and yet, so far away – good Gracious you have an exciting life, and, if you pray, please at The Donkles to your list.
Best,
Ms. Buffet, Sally, and the rest of my staff.
Sorry to be so slow to respond to this. I am pleased to report that I do pray every day for the Donkles, and for every dog, cat, and person in Happy Meadows. I pray especially for the Extreme Vet. I also pray for the entire world, as all cats do, and spend hours daily in meditation. You may know that the world was created by God’s loving energy, and it continues to be infused by this divine flow of love. Prayer and meditation allows us to both draw loving energy from the Source, and to add our own energy to it. You wouldn’t think it possible to add to infinite love, but there you are. My best to your little family. Be well.