It happens often.
The urge.
The urge to squeeze.
Squeeze Joie tight.
It’s the feeling of love bubbling up from my toes, whirling through my heart, exploding into spasms of adoring and complete awe of how precious dog’s are.
How precious life is.
How incredibly lucky I am to have the love of a dog.
The urge.
To squeeze.
It makes my heart feel so happy to be alive.
To love. To learn. To walk beside one of God’s greatest creatures.
MERCI
I met Jayne a few years ago when I did therapy dog work with Frankie at our local hospice community. Her black standard poodle, Magic, fell in love with Frankie. Magic and Jayne were quite the striking duo and Jayne taught Magic to dance. It was beautiful to watch.
A year or so ago (I believe) Jayne brought Merci into her life. Seven weeks ago, Magic unexpectedly passed away. When she emailed me with the news I called her immediately. We talked for a long time.
Jayne is single and lives alone. Her Magic was now gone. Yes, she has Merci, but she and Magic had a special bond.
A few days ago I heard from her. She is still struggling with the passing of Magic.
She said, “Magic made everything easy for me. He was confident and followed my lead. Merci is different. She is timid and lacks confidence.”
I could tell by her thoughts that she was really missing Magic and she didn’t know how Merci would ever be like him, realizing that she won’t. She knows she has to accept this.
I could very much relate to everything Jayne shared as I went through all of this with the loss of Frankie. Joie is different and I’ve had to move through that for myself, which has not been easy at times.
The one thing I suggested to Jayne was to talk to Merci. Actually talk to her out loud. This was suggested to me about two months ago from animal communicator, Dawn that I worked with in regards to Joie and what I was struggling with. I told Joie that yes, I miss Frankie. But that does not mean I don’t love her. I told her I am trying and would continue to do all I could to help develop our own unique and special relationship.
I also realize now not ever having adopted a dog and this being Joie’s third home, that she had her own insecurities and likely trust issues. Was I going to also give her away could have very likely been a concern of hers. I told her she is here to stay. I’ll never give her away. I love her and I’ll do everything in my power to make sure this will always be her home.
It may sound silly, but yet so simple. Jayne gave it a try with Merci and this is what she wrote back to me:
“I think Frankie and Magic are sending us a both a message! As I have been typing to you this morning, Merci has been quietly laying behind my desk. When I went to talk to her, as you suggested, I looked at her and started to cry. She rarely plays with any toys. They are all in a basket in my office as Magic liked to occasionally play with toys. I saw she had quietly pulled a toy from the basket and was sleeping with it in her bed. The toy…a dachshund toy with a Santa hat…that Magic used to love to carry around. I told him that toy was Frankie and he always acted like he knew exactly what I meant. How fitting that Merci would pick that toy out of a basket of 30+ toys to cuddle with as we corresponded today about our lost loves.”
I’m left with no doubt that our pets communicate with us whether they are here in physical form or not. I know for me, since talking with Joie (and I continue to do so), I feel a wonderful shift in our relationship. We are learning to ebb and flow with each other. Yes, it’s in a different way than I had with Frankie. But she is Joie. A sweet dog who loves me unconditionally and has stood by trusting we will find our way together.
I’m pretty sure that Jayne and Merci will also find their way together and it won’t be like Magic. But there will be magic, mystery, and love in all the new things and experiences she and Merci will have.
Note: Thank you, Jayne, and Merci, of course, for allowing me to share part of our correspondence. I feel honored to have been a part of this sweet, amazing experience.
I love what Eric Melvin, an author in Inspiring Stories About Pets with Disabilities” has to say which was inspired by his dog Angelyne who is deaf:
“The D word: Many people use the word disability to describe you and me. Some things we do well, and some things we don’t, but it’s not because we don’t try. There are many words that start with D that better describe us: Daring, Driven, Dedicated, Determined, Diligent, Dauntless, Dashing, Dapper, Delightful, Devoted, Dignified, Dynamic, Dandy: We’re not disabled. We’re uniquely-abled, and we can do amazing things.”
I shared my review of this new book on Amazon today. Of course, I am a bit biased I suppose since my story about Joie is also featured. But more importantly I really want others to read these stories. You know why? Because it is my hope that others will be inspired and will then take action and consider adopting a special needs pet.
My life changed for the better when my first dachshund, Frankie became paralyzed. While I thought it was a tragedy at the time, I’m so glad I gave her a chance. She in turn changed me and I became a better human being. This led me to knowing in my heart that my next dog would have to be another dachshund with IVDD and one who was in need of a wheelchair.
While my compassion and understanding of special needs pets grew deeper because of Frankie, and now Joie, I also became a better human being toward my fellow mankind. Even if bringing a special needs pet into your life is not what you can do, just reading the stories will likely inspire you. If you then encourage others to read them also, this may lead to those who can bring these animals into their lives. How cool would that be?
I also can’t help but think of what Eric shared with all the words that do begin with D to describe special needs pets – but they also describe people. Not only people with special needs, but all of us. We all have challenges of one kind or another. Some seen and some not. If pets with special needs can look past their special challenges, then we can too. These stories will encourage you to look for all the good you do have, and then encourage others to do the same.
Animals and the lessons they teach we mere mortals–it will always fascinate and intrigue me.
You can order Volume I as well as Volume II is now available too. Please also do consider with your purchase of having the portion of the sale donated to Red Flyer organization which helps special needs pets.
A big congratulations to my friend, Abby and her wheelchair-bound dachshund, Sophie who is featured in Volume II!!
Note: all authors who contributed stories for these books did not receive a fee. They all are passionate about bringing positive awareness to these amazing animals and helping those that are in need of new homes.