Day 31: Courage unleashed….
“A dog will teach you unconditional love. If you can have that in your life, things won’t be too bad.”
Not everything that shows us courage comes from human interaction. Sometimes courage is seen through a picture, a phrase, a video or even an animal. Yes, even an animal. Enter… Jet.
Jet is my 9-year-old golden retriever, faithful friend and trusted travel companion. He certainly does have a lot of responsibility for a canine companion, but he knows the drill, and if nothing else, he makes me smile….Could I ask for anything more?
Today’s quest takes both Jet and I on a picnic near the Truckee River on a cool and breezy June evening. When Jet came into my life he was the last in a litter of pups my friend, a breeder, had back in Chicago. I remember visiting and seeing this little guy who’s name was “leftover” because no one wanted him. I truly believe he was never meant to go with anyone but me. That’s why no one claimed him. The moment we locked eyes, he darted across the yard. I knew he was special. So, $195 and a Dr’s certification later, he was loaded onto the aircraft and flew back home with me. He and I have been inseparable ever since.
Jet is the first dog I have ever had. I never really wanted a dog until he and I met. Oh, the things he has taught me. Yes, I have learned a lot from my four-legged friend. I remember the first time he saw me sad. I was sitting on the edge of my bed with tears streaming down my cheeks. From across the house and bounding into my room came my large retriever with only one goal—to make me happy. He gave me a look, of “Why are you crying? There is nothing to cry about!” He then ran and got his tennis ball as if to say, “I’ll cheer you up with a game of fetch!” Lol! Somehow, his wordless efforts made me forget for just a moment the situation that had brought me to this place of sadness. It was from that point in that every time I would feel sad, I had that image of this lumbering retriever making me smile. He is a gift!
There are two stories that give an even better description of how special Jet is. They are the two times he nearly died.
It was summer and Jet was just a year old. I had been packing to head to Chicago for a quick trip and had left some coins out. I stepped away from the coins and when I returned they were gone. I was puzzled but didn’t think anything of it. I dropped Jet off at the kennel and made my way to Chicago. A day later I received an urgent call from the Emergency Vet that the kennel had taken Jet to. They had informed me that Jet was in critical condition and barely responsive. He had eaten the coins and had vomited most of them up except one penny. He had a toxic level of zinc in his system that was shockingly high. They had been giving him many blood transfusions. They said that Jet had one penny left in his stomach and that the only way to possibly save him was to do emergency surgery to remove the penny. The surgery would cost $7,000 and he only had a 5% chance of living…. I felt at that moment as if I had been hit by a boulder. My heart sank and the tears flowed. But to make it worse, the vet said he could give me only 5 minutes to decide and then they either needed to do the surgery or make alternative plans. Jet was literally hanging on by a thread. I was in absolute shock… the dog that was my faithful companion was dying and I was 2,000 miles away. The odds were seriously against us… the vet had said he has never seen a dog recover with this level of toxicity…. I felt helpless, responsible, angry, sad, lost, and then so determined to give him every possible opportunity to live. When no one else wanted him or believed in him, I did. I wasn’t about to stop believing in him now. I frantically called the vet with a credit card in hand and told them, “Do it…. Please!”, I begged, “Save his life!” They took my payment over the phone. I sat and cried like a little girl begging God or anyone that would listen to let him live!
By the grace of all that is good and right, he survived the surgery, had 7 blood transfusions and in two days he was up walking. I returned home and it was a total of 1.5 weeks of vet care and he and I were re-united. When we saw each other, he had a look on his face as if to apologize for all the commotion… I had a look on my face of apology for allowing this to even happen. The vet said that there is no reason why he should even be alive. They were very impressed by his tenacity. I had no idea that his strong will would be tested again.
Many years of companionship, walks and togetherness filled our days after until yet again, Jet was challenged. It was a summer morning and Jet went out to do his business as usual. But when he came back in the house, I noticed him scratching at his nose obsessively. Through the hours that followed his nose swelled, began to bleed and I knew something was seriously wrong. He did not want to get up or walk. But I managed to get him into the car. When we arrived at the vet, they immediately took him back and got him assessed and I was notified that it looked as if he had been bitten by a black widow. They said that the tissue around his nose was deteriorating and they prescribed many drugs and kept him for two days. During the two days, he stabilized but the wound progressed into a grotesque disfigurement. The face of my handsome, beautiful Jet was deteriorating before my eyes. He literally looked like an animal zombie. His face had turned black and blood oozed from every pore.
The worst moment was when I visited him early in the ordeal. Jet could not control his excitement. He rubbed against me so hard that it broke open the wound and blood went everywhere. The vet took him back to the kennel area to get him cleaned up and I stood there once again with tears in my eyes and disbelief. I couldn’t comprehend how happy he was to see me, despite being in terrible pain and misery. The vet spoke to me with concern that the wound wasn’t healing properly and they would continue to do what they could, but to be prepared that this may not end well. Once again, I was faced with fear and uncertainty. I left the office and sat in my car, leaning over the steering wheel as if to hug the only thing available… my clothes were bloodstained and the tears fell one after another. A minute had passed and I realized this is not helping in the least. I picked myself up, and had to hope that maybe by Jet seeing me he could change the course of direction and let his body heal.
Two days later, the vet called and said Jet is doing better and can come home. I remember the huge sigh of relief I let go and I could feel my spirit relax. When I picked Jet up, he still looked like something from a horror movie. I was given 5 medications and wound care instructions. It took about a month for the wound to finally be less noticeable but his spirit seemed not affected in the least. From the moment he jumped into the car to return home from the vet, his spirit was set to return to life as usual. He may never know the worry, fear, sadness and anxiety I felt during both of these close calls, but I do. Jet’s triumph over painful adversity reminds me every day that every minute and moment we have created have left little imprints on my heart. I carry these memories with me everywhere I go to remind me just how precious life is.
Back to the picnic…. I have done many things with my travel companion, Jet, but I have never taken him on a picnic to the river. And so on a cool and breezy June evening ,that is where we found ourselves, on a picnic blanket laid on the thick green grass next to rushing river in the middle of town. Jet relaxed next to me taking in the sights, sounds and scents…
I reclined right next to him doing just the same, everything and nothing to do or say, but just be… He was meant to be in my life for so many reasons… to teach me how to love a little more, to listen even closer, to take time to just relax, to walk without being in a hurry, to take in every sensation I can. Most importantly, he has taught me to breathe and find my smile because life is short and we just never know when the last moment will be…
Feeling humbled and appreciative of the lessons one faithful, loyal, courageous and loving dog has taught me… and yet, still so much to learn….. Wondering what tomorrow will bring…
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