We Don’t deserve dogs

I've had a rough couple of days dealing with a blister and rash on my residual limb that won't heal. But right now, my dog has his entire body pressed against my side like a furry heating pad, and nothing truly is more comforting. Waking up to his wagging tail and wide eyes every morning makes me forget nightmares and whatever random aches and pains kept me up the night before. He is an emotional support animal who works overtime to give me as much love and ten-pound cuddles as possible. When I want to cry, his snorts make me laugh, and I swear he lets me hold him longer than he would like when I've had a rough day. The truth is dogs are Zanax in canine form, and mine has been through it all with me, so he deserves all the pup cups and squeaky toys I can provide.

Years ago, before my amputation, I fell while home alone and couldn't get back up. I didn't know it then, but my cancer was back, and the tumor had gotten so big that I couldn't bend it properly while walking and lost stability. Beau ran to my side with panic in his eyes and wouldn't leave me until my husband got home. He barked like crazy, and dragged him to me immediately. Then, I fell again when I was only weeks post-op from my amputation. This time, directly onto the stitched end of my residual limb, where a piece of metal had been left to provide the bone more support. I was on the other side of the house from my husband, and I screamed in the kind of pain that radiates through your whole body making all your hairs stand up. My dog immediately went into emergency mode and, after briefly checking on me, went to get help. After a quick hospital visit for X-rays and pain meds, I was back home on the couch, and Beau was stuck to me like glue.

Certified or not. Dogs give us the kind of unconditional love that supports us emotionally without asking us to talk about our feelings. No words, they just know when we need them and are happy to oblige with some sloppy kisses and warm cuddles. The least we can do is spend an arm and a leg (pun intended) at the vet for their medical care, take them outside in the middle of every rainstorm, and vacuum three times a day to collect only a third of the fur they have left all over our homes. ;)