Last year, I devoted a whole chapter to introduce you to my little Wonder Dog, Skyler! He has congestive heart disease, and now, apparently, we can add COPD to that as well. Nothing we can't handle with some modern medicine and the power of a mighty God.
October hit Georgia and for the first couple of weeks, we didn't know if it was still summer or we were really going to get a much anticipated fall, with hopes of beautiful leaves, trips to the mountains and open windows. You might just as well figure that any animal of mine is going to be high maintenance. As soon as those windows opened up and the fresh air spilled in, Junior, started coughing worse and having allergy issues. We did the Benadryl routine, up-ed the water pills, prayed and cried. The meds didn't help much, and after a weekend of reality checks, we knew, in spite of everything, that it seemed like it was time, once again, to make that one way trip to the vet. A couple of weeks earlier, our favorite doggie doc told us that we would know and from everything we saw, we all tearfully agreed, that it was indeed, time. Poor little guy, he coughed so hard, he would get woozy from lack of oxygen and fall down. More than once, I picked him up and supported him. This poor baby hasn't had anything to eat or drink since the previous day and he is weak on top of his breathing and heart issues. We had been warned that his last days would be like this with the coughing and the shortness of breath. We didn't want him to suffer or be afraid, so, we loved on him, cradled him in our arms and prepared to say goodbye. That little dog has been rocked on my lap so many times, I've lost count, and on that day, when he looked up at me with those big dark bulging eyes, I cried and cuddled him a little closer.
With the puppy pillow, blankie and sweet little dog in tow, we loaded up and headed to the vet's office for what was to be our last visit, or so we thought.
He is a resilient little guy and has a voracious appetite for life. When we walked in to the lobby, the ladies at the desk were so sweet and so sensitive to our needs and feelings, they quickly got us into a room, and with every step, we swallowed hard and prayed a little more and cuddled and hoped that may be, something wonderful would happen, yet one more time. His temp was 104, crazy high for a little dog, and he was struggling with every move he made to take in a breath. They asked if they could do chest x-rays, because, as it turned out, they were pretty sure he had bronchitis, maybe pneumonia, and if they x-rays showed them what they needed to see, it just might be treatable and highly possible, that this was going to end up being, yet another chapter in this little dog's miraculous life.
Well, praise God, modern medicine and canine determination! He has bronchitis, and 2 shots and 2 prescriptions later, we took him home, already breathing better. We knew the first 24-36 hours would be the "wait and see" period, but we had to try. If it didn't work, we would know 100% what the next step was.
That first night, I slept on the couch with my sweet little pooch curled up next to me. When he coughed, I held him upright so it was easier for him to breathe. It was a long night on a less than comfy couch, but that didn't matter. I think I finally dozed off at around 4 a.m.. I've gotten used to dark circles that seem to be getting deeper and darker every day. Sleep deprivation here lately, seems to be a way of life, for one reason or another, but let's not go there on all of the other reasons, this little story is dedicated to my special little Wonder Dog, and the many other miracles in my life. After a very short sleep, I was awakened by a cool, wet nose and frantic ear shattering barking, he was letting me know with all urgency, that by golly, he had to go outside and FAST! This in itself, was pure blessing.
Business tended to, he literally ran back into the house and begged for food and water. Got all of his pills in him, thanks to canned dog food (he turns his nose up to the dry stuff now), but he ate, and the first thing he did after that was raid my husband's laundry basket and dig out a sock. Play time! Any other time, he would reluctantly drop those smelly socks in my hand, if I demanded, but, nope, not this morning. He growled and snarled when I tried to take them from him. He meant business and he was making up for lost time. He had survived the night and awakened with a new lease on life, yet one more time.
What makes this "tail" even more special, is that 3 times in 2 years, we've gone through this. We sadly and tearfully said our goodbyes and made that decision to take the one way trip. 3 times now, he has beaten the odds. He has given us one more reminder that everything is in God's hands and in spite of what we think and see, only God knows! Miracles happen every moment of every day, and we shouldn't ever take things for granted. Trust, have faith and believe....
Life is precious, whether it is ours, a family member's, a friends, or even a little 17.8 pound 11 year old Shitzu's. It's easy to forget that sometimes, but through the daily miracles we all experience, and the precious life of one very determined little dog, I am always reminded and I hope you will be too.
In my life, I am very blessed to have many 2 legged miracles and moments, 2 of which are very, very close to me. 4 years ago, I sat with my mother, tears aside, faith strong and responded to a very highly acclaimed physician specialist, that God has His own reasons, and that very special someone that was still alive, was quite simply because God wasn't done with him yet. That special someone is my Daddy. He has survived over 8 major strokes and is still taking things a moment at a time. He celebrated his 80th birthday and now his 81st. My Mother is his cheerleader and instigator and she does everything she can to get him up and moving around every day. We've even made our annual trip to the apple orchards. I am so proud of both of them. A lot of people would have given up, but she sets out every day, to make sure that he has a quality life. They are making memories and I've been part of some of them. I love them both so much. Make memories...they are part of your tomorrows!
Back to Wonder Dog, so, here we are 8 days after our 3rd life changing trip to the vet. My little 4 legged kid is happy, bouncy and living his little canine life, one moment at a time, and we are over-joyed that we get to love him a little longer.
Simple things, blessings, unanticipated non-endings, miracles...they are all a part of our daily lives, yours and mine. Don't take a single one of them for granted. Remember Who made them all possible!
If you have a special loved one, or a dear friend, or even a little 4 legged buddy that are still living life and enjoying it one moment at a time, let it be the example for you to follow. Your life will be better because of it/them. Thanking God for my special someones and little 4 legged miracles...Praise God from whom all blessings flow....Love to all and God bless,
Katydid!
