10 Lessons I am learning from my dying dog

• Trust and lean on those who love and care for you-

I watched Bubbles allow myself, and the vet, push and prod on her most
painful leg and she patiently allowed us to do so. Before the pain
medicine, or when it hasn’t kicked in, I have ached when she has come up
to be and laid her head on my leg letting me know that it simply just
hurts.

• Learn to adapt

Bubbles has gone from an able bodied 75 pound 4 legged dog to a crippled
3 legged, hobbling, pain-filled being. The first couple of days I had
to help her by carrying her, after that she had to learn to survive.
She learned to get herself out the door and to the front lawn. She had
to adapt to a restricted area of living in the house and outside, not
able to access the back yard due to steps. She has done nothing but
master, conquer, and kick butt on learning how to manage this life as it
is now.

• When the pain gets too great, don’t hesitate to rest

When she just cannot stand anymore she will rest. I know she would love
to run, explore, and play but for now she understands that her
limitations are greater than her desire to be who she was. She takes a
break to rest for the next moment.

• Don’t stop showing love to those who love you

She may not be able to run to the door or show the physical appreciation
she used to, but by golly she surely communicates her love in every
way. Upon seeing my husband or my son, every part of her body that can
wiggle, wag, and lean does so in a wholehearted loving manner. No one
can ever say she didn’t love through the pain.

• Don’t worry

Bubbles cannot get to where she wants sometimes. She has yelped and
panted; she has laid her head on my leg and communicated unequivocally
that she is in pain, however she has never shown stress or worry. No
sign of stress from this beautiful spirit showing me that I can toughen
up a bit more.

• Enjoy every moment

The other day we carried Bubbles down into the back yard to enjoy some
time while we worked in the garden. She visited her dog friend to the
north yard and her dog friend to the south yard. She enjoyed a visit
from our neighbors. She laid down and rested when she tired of standing
and she soaked in the yard that she used to rule. She completely lived
in the moment.

• Take time to soak it all in

I have watched Bubbles just stand in place and put her nose in the air
to smell what is going on in our “hood”. She observes, smells, explores
to her limits and soaks in every minute trying not to miss any gift
from her creator.

• Don’t avoid the opportunity to comfort one another

We have two dogs. One came a few years after Bubbles had already
claimed dominance to the home, yet Chance slid into place as “sister”.
During these past few weeks I have watched Chance slide into place right
next to her “sister” in a position of support and comfort giving
Bubbles nothing but love and compassion as only an unconditionally
loving heart can.

• When you need help, let someone help you

There are times myself, my husband, or my son, have had to pick up this
large beast and gently carry her to where she needs or wants to be and
she cooperates. She doesn’t battle us or wrestle, she concedes that she
needs the help and gratefully accepts it. When I laid her down on the
carpet one of these times she put her head down but kept her tail
wagging in a grateful and sincere thank you.

• No matter what the current situation is…unconditionally love <3

There are times myself, my husband, or my son, have had to pick up this large beast and gently carry her to where she needs or wants to be and she cooperates. She doesn’t battle us or wrestle, she concedes that she needs the help and gratefully accepts it. When I laid her down on the carpet one of these times she put her head down but kept her tail wagging in a grateful and sincere thank you.

Bubbles does not know that her days are numbered. She knows her body is different. She knows her surroundings have been limited. She understands pain more than she ever has. The desire to eat or play has diminished. She tolerates the meds through the day. She never snaps, growls, refuses to cooperate, or shows difficulty in behavior in any way, rather she expresses what she always has: an unconditional, unquestioning, puppy eyed love to all of us who are trying to make her last days as comfortable and full of compassion as we possibly can. We ache and we know, but she simply loves without hesitation and fear.

My hope is that the lessons she has been and is teaching me will remain with me for the rest of my days helping me to understand how to appreciate every day, and every person who loves me, and to love unequivocally and unconditionally no matter what the situation I find myself in. Until we part, I will enjoy my lessons that she is teaching me and the love she is sharing with me.

May we all be more like her and bring a bit of tail wagging, kisses, and unconditional love to each our homes no matter what the day and situation brings.

Wishing you peace,

Terri

Terri O’Neill-Borders

Email- terri@hopeandfriendshipfoundation.com

Website- www.hopeandfriendshipfoundation.com

Wordpress- http://hopeandfriendshipfoundation.wordpress.com/

Hope and Friendship Foundation

721 Hickory St, Lemont, IL 60439

630-816-4972

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Proverbs 31: 8-9