Good morning…
After yesterday’s post, Our Dog Has Cancer, I responded to twenty four loving texts about Tate’s diagnosis and twenty encouraging emails. Each kind word exchanged added weight to my ballast, that deep down place where inner strength settles. One email in particular helped me to envision the unknown path ahead.
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Good morning ☀️
I have indeed walked this road. It can be a journey as dogs teach us about living and dying.
Calibogue Dixie Rose was diagnosed with Lymphosarcoma at the age of two. She was a chocolate lab and she was beautiful. One night I was sitting with her and I felt the lump just below her jaw. I had it checked out by the vet and indeed the diagnosis was cancer. This started us on a journey to make the decision whether to do chemotherapy or let her go. I knew she wasn’t ready as she was only two and had so much energy. We decided because she was so young, we’d go ahead and give it a try. And I’m glad we did because it gave her the most exuberant, joy and zest for life that I have ever seen. She lived until was four and I remember the night she told me she was ready to go. Little that I know that her journey would prepare me for my own several years later.
I listened to her, and that’s what you will do with Tate.
Just recently I lost my yellow lab Diesel at the age of fifteen. He was a quiet, charismatic, peaceful dog, who got me through the most trying times of my life. It was only just recently that he let me know as he looked in my eyes, and I looked in his, that he was ready to go home. I think if they know that you will be all right, then they will also feel at peace. As you know, our animals are loyal, and they stand by us, no matter what.
Let Tate take the lead, she will certainly let you know what she needs. Decisions are hard. But take her lead.
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Dogs do teach us about living and dying, about loving, listening and everything in between. I don’t know what will fill the days ahead. I’m not supposed to know the future now. Day by day, choice by choice, I will find my way through by listening well.
I think to myself, “Take Tate’s lead? I can do that. I can do that with the help of God.”
“I can’t do a solitary thing on my own: I listen, then I decide” (John 5:30, MSG).
…Sue…
