Thursday, February 12, 2009

Thank God for Dogs

First thing first... We have a winner! I have to tell you I love giving stuff away... If at least 50 of you keep commenting each week we can go almost a year before you all have one and are sick of seeing canvases
all the time :) Until then, this is fun!

So, here is this week's winner, via random.org:

AuBien: I have a house for sale right now. It's been on the market for 7 months. We've had MANY showings and only positive feedback on the house. And not one offer to buy it.
We have many of our children's toys and home "clutter" boxed and stored at in-laws to make the house seem less cluttered. We have changed our decor to neutral so as to appeal to more people so as not to distract from looking at the HOUSE instead of our decor. We have to keep the place almost spotless all the time because the market is SO competitive right now. We have our house listed WELL below it's actual value because we know we can't sell it at actual value in this market.
I'm struggling with letting go of the idea that I'm ready for it to sell so it's time for it to sell. God's timing is not my timing. And letting go of my timing is not as simple as I would like.
And when I read your posts I feel like I have no right to be selfish about this or anything else. I know I need to let go of that also and it is easier to be convicted than it is to change my thinking.
Thank you for sharing your gift and thank you for the chance to win a canvas!

Congratulations! Email me at gitzengirl@gmail.com with your mailing address and I'll get your canvas in the mail.

BTW: Did you guys see in the comments that my brother Hoody thought for a minute I was going to give away my car? Cracked.Me.Up.

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I think we've covered that my dog might have a few issues. The fact that he's on antidepressants to keep him from biting everyone that comes within a 2 ft. radius of me should probably be the first clue. The fact that I've wondered if the Dog Whisperer and Super Nanny would do a crossover show just to help him might be another.

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But, while I might pull my hair out once in awhile, the fact that this pup was absolutely, undeniably and inexplicably created just for me... the fact that he sometimes knows before I do when I'm physically having a harder time... is why he's still blissfully happy despite the fact that he has an insatiable desire to mark in my kitchen.

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That, and the fact that he's so damn cute.

My vet decided a few years ago that my sweet and ornery pup is very in tune to the fact that I've gotten sicker over the years. Nothing proves this more than when I have migraines. Often if a migraine lasts for more than 2 days, Riley starts throwing up along with me in what I assume is some show of sympathy or solidarity.

To take it a step further, his power of observation goes up exponentially the actual day a migraine is going to hit.

He was so unsettled on Friday, which is not like him. He'd jump on the couch and get comfy only to start whining and jump back down to find another spot to rest. He'd sit on my lap, jump off of my lap ... and whine. I couldn't figure out what he wanted, what the problem was, what was hurting him.

Then I started getting a bit of a nagging headache. But the weather was warmer and my energy was better than it had been, so I was sure it was fine. But the headache was there... and I felt a little nauseous. I tried the sliding glass door, which was finally unfrozen, and breathing that fresh air without incident for the first time in eight months gave me the jolt I needed. Headache or no, I was fine.

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Oh, but that pup knew better. We went to bed and the right side of my head felt like it was going to explode or implode... or both. And the rest of the night was spent trying to make myself get up to get my meds. Trying to roll over, trying to sit up, but knowing if I do my head is going to rocket off my neck and go through the ceiling or, better yet, I'll throw up. So we just laid there. And every once in awhile he'd leave the spot where he was curled up next to me and sniff around my head and lick my temple. The dog who never licks my face was trying to tell me he knew exactly where it hurt and that he'd really like to help.

That move right there forgives a lot of idiosyncrasies. That move makes him the best dog to ever walk the earth.

So, sometime around noon the next day I forced myself to get up. I ate what I could and I took my meds, and while we laid on the couch he continued to whine at me... until 45 minutes later, when the meds finally hit my system. When it still felt like my head was pulsing on the pillow but the sound of the throbbing finally stopped echoing in my ears, my sweet pup laid his head down and fell fast asleep. Every two hours when I'd sit up to take another pill he'd sit up, wait patiently, and then curl up next to me to sleep away the day.

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The temperature had changed drastically, and that is when my migraines inevitably hit. And as I tried my hardest not to let myself anticipate the coming months, remembering back to last spring when the temperatures constantly changed and thunderstorms constantly rolled through and my body felt like it was a crash test dummy experiment gone wrong, my dog reminded me that I don't have to do a moment of it alone.

He's a genius, that dog. An empathetic, sympathetic, telepathic, loving little genius who makes me sane even when I'm really not.

Thank God for dogs. Or, more accurately, thank God for my dog. But please don't refer to him as such should you ever come visit... I don't want to burst Riley's bubble and make him think he's anything less than the human he is so determined to be.

17 comments:

  1. Awww. This post made my emotional barometer bounce like crazy!

    I smiled about him licking your temple...it ACTUALLY made me tear up. I felt a heavy heart when I pictured you laying in bed in that much pain and I thought "who is getting food for her? or making sure she takes her meds? or just THERE with her while she's sick???" because I HATE HATE HATE to be left alone when I am sick. I want, NEED, someone checking on me, or sometimes just sitting there with me. Reading that part made me want to be there with you. I am so glad though that Riley is there to comfort you.

    Funny how comforting a sleeping dog can be. ;-)
    Now that Jake has worked nights for a few months I am so used to Peanut being at my feet in the bed, that on the weekends when he stays up with Jake, I have a hard time falling asleep. The other night I was calling for him to come upstairs so I could go to sleep and the little traitor wouldn't! He stayed on the couch with Jake. LOL!

    Anyway, I am glad you are starting to feel better and that Riley is there. I just wish I could be too. ;-)

    Love you girl!

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  2. God bless that sweet pup, and you, friend!

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  3. He really is Heaven-sent, isn't he? It is amazing how he knows when it is coming. What a precious little pup he is. Boy did your family get it right when they gifted you with Riley. I am so thankful you have him to love on you when you feel bad.

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  4. What a blessing for you! And I agree, he is absolutely the cutest dog I've ever seen. (Shhh, don't tell Lucky!)

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  5. I'm so glad that you have each other...but so sorry that you both have to suffer with the pain.

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  6. I love the title of your post ...yes, thank God for dogs. I'm a major dog-lover (people probably tire of all my dog posts- oh well). Anyway, read your post today and wanted to share a poem that moves me every time I read it. You may have seen it before. It's called "The Power of a Dog" by Rudyard Kipling. It's too long to type here, so here is a link to one of my post that has it: http://themosquitoesbuzz.blogspot.com/2008/09/power-of-dog.html . The poem will definitely tug at you... but that's what dogs do to us. And yes, your Riley is adorable- makes me just want to snuggle him.

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  7. They are so intuitive, aren't they? Its very comforting to know he is there for you and in tune to you. T.B.D., I'm telling you!

    When Dakota was 10 months old I had gallbladder surgery. We have a huge poster bed that requires a big effort to get up on. Every time Rick would open the door to our bedroom she would come barreling in trying to claw her way up... finally one day she made it... she snuggled in next to me and the most hyper pup ever... snoozed by my side every day until I was well!

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  8. I'm a big believer that Riley isn't a pup...isn't even human...he's an angel with fluff.
    I love my pups too. They really are oddly in tune with their people.
    Again...Riley is an angel. Pls give him a giant smooch~

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  9. I am so glad you have Riley. Pets are so comforting when you are out of sorts. I couldn't be without mine. How could someone who looks so very sweet have issues? Feel better soon.

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  10. Ah, yes....I say AMEN to that post! My Duke is the exact same way. I have 4 dogs now and he is by far so intune to me, it amazes me at times. He's a 60lb lap dog :) But he never leaves my side when I'm sick or upset. God knew I needed that boy! What a blessing they are, I can't imagine my life without them! I'm so thrilled you have him! God knew you needed that too!
    Blessings...Kylea

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  11. I got a tear reading this post and an aching in my heart for my dog that was killed just over a year and a half ago. My heart aches so badly for that little girl of mine, she was a soul mate to me. I am so glad that you have the opportunity to have one while you are not feeling your best.

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  12. I love this post. I laughed out loud at the sight of him vomiting to get your attention. He's one sweet pup.

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  13. This is great...and this is why I love the pain in the ass dogs so much. (Because all the best ones, are, to some extent, a pain in the ass.)

    I'm glad you found your little man. :)

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  14. Whoa...sorry about that grammar! You'd think I just purchased stock in commas.

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  15. My mother's cat was the same way :) She tooks such incredibly good care of my mother when she was recovering from her many surgeries. Mom couldn't sit down without Tira appearing out of the ether to cuddle in her lap and purr 'til she drooled. And this from a typically aloof kitty.

    Our pets bless us in so many ways :)

    (Tira didn't throw up with Mom, though. Goodness knows, she'd donated enough hairballs over the years that Mom will have to live to 200 yrs and get the flu regularly if she were to try to catch up! LOL)

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  16. I agree with Robin. I think God has sent you a little furry guardian angel to walk through your journey with you. Amazing.

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  17. i can't tell you how glad i am you have him. and how heavy my heart is for you and those migraines...

    Recent blog post: everything’s right

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