Dogs…

So while I was healing from surgery this year I had a faithful companion by my side. Gunny was beside me everyday as I recovered. Yesterday Gunny crashed hard, unresponsive and detached from his surroundings. We rush him to the ER! Walking into that room with a very sick dog is a situation no one wants to experience. Unlike people there is no way for the dog to tell you what is wrong. Looking into those eyes, that had encouraged me and assured me it was all going to be ok, seeing the life fading away, was like someone pulling me apart. X-rays, labs, test flow by, then the Doctor comes in with news. Gunny is really sick but they have a plan. Subcutaneous fluid injection to hydrate, antibiotics to kill the pneumonia. We leave with a live dog, weak and exhausted but alive.

It is very rare that we as the recipients of unwavering companionship are called to reciprocate. I have had dogs that would lay down their life for me. Some that were simply a friend and companion. Gunny was a savior, he arrived after the death of our Labrador and filled a void that was created by her passing. It is always who rescued who? Well, I believe we rescued each other! In that ER room I was afraid that the small part of myself that knows what a dog really is was going to leave me. It hurt me to know that there is no sacrifice to big for a dog to make, yet we are unable to protect them and heal them the way they give to us. Gunny is getting better, hopefully this will pass and we can resume our fall days sitting on a hill with the wind in our face and peace and tranquility restored!