I can’t even begin to count all of the ways my life has been blessed by having dogs. They bring me so much joy on a daily basis by greeting me when I walk in, making me smile with their antics, coming over for cuddles, comforting me when they know I’m upset, keeping me company while I work and just being chill and awesome. But beyond all of those normal dog things, I also continue to be amazed by how much I learn from them.
This recent ordeal with Sullie has taught me a whole lot about living life with an open and loving heart.
Sullie is so laid back, friendly and loving. When I took her to the vet to have all of her lumps and bumps checked, she took all of the poking, prodding and needle sticks like it was nothing. She never stopped smiling or giving kisses and even willingly rolled over with her belly up and laid in my lap so that the doctor could get the samples from the spots on her chest and belly.
Getting the results back and learning she’d have to go in for surgery just a few weeks later broke my heart. It was the hardest thing to leave her at the vet the morning of surgery knowing what she was going to have to go through.
Seeing her so quiet and in pain after the surgery continued to break my heart but my fighter took it like a champ.
Just two days after her surgery she was back to lounging in her favorite belly-up position and with every day that passed she got stronger and more spirited.
On Monday I took Sullie back to the vet to get her staples out and as we were sitting in the waiting room I had this huge learning moment from her. She was totally happy to be there. She was smiling, greeting everyone who walked in, begging for pats and eating treats…despite the fact that just 11 days earlier she had undergone a major surgery in this same place. When her doctor walked in the room she rushed over for love and pats and willingly let her examine the incisions on her chest and abdomen. There was never one bit of fear or anxiety. Just love and an open heart.
Getting the staples out didn’t seem to phase her at all and she hopped right back in the car to enjoy an afternoon one-on-one with mom.
I took her to Metro with me while I trained a client and worked out, just like the old days. She was in her glory getting to hang out at work with me and getting attention from everyone.
Sullie and Zoey have been inseperable now that the staples are out and she’s cleared for play again.
Her resilience is truly incredible.
Today marks two weeks since Sullie’s surgery. I’m beyond grateful that everything turned out okay in the end. I am also grateful for the beautiful example of love and open heartedness that she showed me.
Every time we choose to love and open our hearts, we risk getting hurt. And the inevitable truth of it is that eventually we will get hurt. Once that happens there is a choice to make. I’m going to let scar tissue grow over the hurt, close down my heart and turn to fear and anxiety or I’m going to let the wound heal, open my heart and choose to love again.
It might seem silly to some but watching Sullie navigate her way through this process in such a graceful and loving way has been inspiring to me and I love her wide open, loving heart so much.
What lessons have you learned from your pets?
