Call me crazy, but I believe animals go to heaven. I'm sure I first received this idea from my mom who always told me when she got to heaven, you could best believe she'd be working in the animal section. This always made me smile. And, by the way, I believe that's exactly what she's doing.
Another reason I believe it? Because of this guy:
Another reason I believe it? Because of this guy:
~Duke~
Where else would this angel of a dog go after his time here on earth is through? I've watched him every single day for months now deteriorate knowing there is not much I could do for him. I ordered Chinese herbs from California to try and delay the inevitable results his vertebrae fusing together would cause and while I'm not sure if it's helped all that much, I know I've tried every single thing possible. I know that when it comes his time to go I will have no regrets about how much love I gave him and that I went to the ends of the earth to give him every chance possible.
Surgery was never an option for him due to his age (12 is VERY old for a Boxer) and he has a heart condition. He likely wouldn't have even made it through the surgery and if he had, the recovery would have been cruel.
So I go through my day working from the house, watching him look at me with his sweet brown eyes and wag his tail. All the while, staying on his comfy new bed all day long. I come at him now in the morning with a syringe of green goo (his new, even more potent herbs), squirt it down his throat and give him a puppy treat to chase it down. He doesn't mind. Thankfully it tastes good to him (or so I'm told by the makers). Then he puts his head back down and just rests peacefully. No pain. Fully alert. Just given up on trying to move around as much as he'd like to.
Once he does get outside, he actually tries to run. Even got frisky this morning. Barking at me. Wagging his tail and just as he gets all excited and forgets his limitations, he turns and starts to fall. His little ears droop and his head drops when he remembers he can't do all he wants to do. So I love on him and remind him I love him no matter what. His legs don't define the amazing dog he is.
But he's not in any pain and I haven't given up hope. I pray he just falls asleep and God takes care of it when it's his time. For now I watch him and am reminded of unconditional love, even though it's from a dog. To this day, that dog - my friend - still tries to get to me when he hears me crying. Even in his condition. This dog has more unconditional love and heart than many humans in this world and I'm proud and blessed he came to my life. And while it is shear hell watching him hour-after-hour, day-after-day ~ he's worth it and knows I'm right here. Whenever I feel these walls closing in on me, I look at him and know he likes looking up and seeing me, and that makes me smile.
Surgery was never an option for him due to his age (12 is VERY old for a Boxer) and he has a heart condition. He likely wouldn't have even made it through the surgery and if he had, the recovery would have been cruel.
So I go through my day working from the house, watching him look at me with his sweet brown eyes and wag his tail. All the while, staying on his comfy new bed all day long. I come at him now in the morning with a syringe of green goo (his new, even more potent herbs), squirt it down his throat and give him a puppy treat to chase it down. He doesn't mind. Thankfully it tastes good to him (or so I'm told by the makers). Then he puts his head back down and just rests peacefully. No pain. Fully alert. Just given up on trying to move around as much as he'd like to.
Once he does get outside, he actually tries to run. Even got frisky this morning. Barking at me. Wagging his tail and just as he gets all excited and forgets his limitations, he turns and starts to fall. His little ears droop and his head drops when he remembers he can't do all he wants to do. So I love on him and remind him I love him no matter what. His legs don't define the amazing dog he is.
But he's not in any pain and I haven't given up hope. I pray he just falls asleep and God takes care of it when it's his time. For now I watch him and am reminded of unconditional love, even though it's from a dog. To this day, that dog - my friend - still tries to get to me when he hears me crying. Even in his condition. This dog has more unconditional love and heart than many humans in this world and I'm proud and blessed he came to my life. And while it is shear hell watching him hour-after-hour, day-after-day ~ he's worth it and knows I'm right here. Whenever I feel these walls closing in on me, I look at him and know he likes looking up and seeing me, and that makes me smile.
Always remember and never forget: “The ultimate lesson all of us have to learn is unconditional love, which includes not only others but ourselves as well."
Editor's Note: After his 3rd dose of supplements...he's in the backyard walking around. Limping. But off the bed! FAITH. Don't ever lose it.
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