Wally

“Until one has loved an animal, a part of one's soul remains unawakened.” ~ Anatole France

Life Lesson, #6321 – Just when you think you have a plan, you don't

I have lots of things I was going to write about this afternoon.  So many good recipes to post, and things from around the web

But my heart and mind are in other places

This morning, I woke up and looked out the window.  A beautiful blue sky, colored leaves on the maple and walnut trees.  A handsome kitty cat by my pillow, Wally, our pug, at my feet

I gathered my things in a hurry.  Today was my first-day food swapping with my favorite challengers at exercise class.  Typically the puppies come along, but his am I asked my husband

“Will you please let them out for me instead?”

“Of course.”

On my way back, a text  “Hurry home, we need you.”

Heart in my throat.  Wally was lying the floor, he couldn't move, and was shaking like he was cold.  He looked at me in a way that only an animal you've loved for the better part of ten years can

Ok, big guy, we've done hard, and we'll do it again.  I don't know what ok looks like, but we'll figure it out

I promise

“Whatever you do, hold it together .. “

After our vet said in no uncertain terms, Des Moines, animal ER, a specialty doc that knows what he's doing, here's a map.  Go.  We listened to possible options, and there weren't many words that sounded good, especially when said all together in sentences.

I mean, please, we've chased UPS trucks.  We've been scratched by kitty cats, bitten by scary dogs, leaped from moving car windows with a single bound, played hide and seek in Target parking lots

But this, this was different.  This was a game-changer, and we all knew it

“Whatever you do, hold it together.”

My husband handed me a tissue, or three

“I'll be right back.”

As the nice lades with funny surgical hats took him for surgery, our eyes locked until the last possible moment.  They say he has a good chance of many quality years ahead, with physical therapy and a whole lot of luck thrown in for good measure.

“I love you, big guy.  Come home soon.  I don't know what ok looks like, but we'll figure it out

I promise”

xoxo

(ps:  I'll make you some homemade treats.  It's what I do)