Sometimes, the only thing that can get us out of a bad mood, or get us through a difficult time, is the love and happiness that pets bring into our lives. Here is one of my stories. I wonder if you can relate?
We have finally come upon the season that I look forward to the other 9 months of the year. Summer means relaxation, sun, swimming, and a brief vacation from the demands of everyday life. This year, more than ever, I felt the need to simply get my feet in the sand. It seems like there has been a general funk hanging over the entire world. Personally, I don’t want to turn on the news, as there never seems to be any of it that is good or worth hearing.
But that was all about to change, as I began packing up my car, my painting supplies, my dog, and my sunscreen. Or so I thought. It changed all right, but not in the way I had planned. I pulled out my back. Yoga made it worse, and by the time the rest of my family arrived a few days later, I was miserable. The weather didn’t help.
I like pea soup, but not during the day, AT THE BEACH, IN JUNE!
I found myself uttering these words to my family, (WHILE WE HAD A HOUSE GUEST no less): ” I don’t care what we eat, when we eat, that we eat, and if we ever eat again. Mommy’s in pain.” Yup, things were dismal.
And then, I had what turned out to be a mood altering, life affirming conversation with a client. Barbara is Chico’s mom. If you read my practice newsletter last month, I introduced him as the Chihihua that is the unofficial mayor of her retirement community. Barbara needed back surgery, and arranged for Chico to stay with a friend for the several weeks of her recovery, while she was instructed to not lift him. You may not recall that Chico gets walked 6 times a day, rain or shine, and thus would need to keep up his active lifestyle. The friend had 3 labradors already, and 2 cats.
As you might have surmised by the title of this blog, this is a love story. Actually 2 love stories. The friend found she was able to allow Chico to sleep in bed with her while missing his mom in the hospital. She fell in love, and decided she would miss him too much while he was gone. So she adopted another small dog. Enter Hermione, the cockapoo.
Instantly, they were smitten with each other. And, there is a wedding planned. I found myself consulting about where to find edible party favors that picky Chico would enjoy. I referred Barbara to the baking display at Pet Valu.
The nuptials are planned for next month.
Suddenly, I had faith that things would improve. And they did. The sun came out, and my back began to feel better.
I found these beautiful flowers and stopped long enough to get photos and not get arrested for trespassing.
Enjoy your summer. And your sunsets, wherever they may be.
Dr. Dawn
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