Who me? Poop in school?
Today Frankie and I visited Jackson school. It was the second time they invited us back. As I was just getting into my presentation, Frankie decides she must poop right then. Well, I suppose when a girl has to go, she just has to go!
I calmy whisked her to the side, grabbed a plastic bag, and let her do “her thing.” But of course, the kids could not let her poop in silence so there was a chorus of ewwwww’s, gross! and yuck! I found myself snickering as Frankie finished up her business.
Such a great teaching opportunity as I calmly said to the kids, “No big deal. This is a normal bodily function.”
I couldn’t help but think on the way home also about how I handled that all with a sense of calm. I guess after 325 appearances, one learns to just go with the flow. But I recall when I first wrote my children’s book and how I worried about writing about when she pooped in the waiting room of the vet’s office. I didn’t want to include that because I was embarrassed. But I was encouraged to include it, because others said kids would love it. They were right. Every time I read the part in my book when Frankie pooped there is a scream of delight from the crowd- cracks me up every time.
It also reminds me of how at the beginning of Frankie’s paralysis and my frustration in trying to figure out the timing of when she’d have to go. I about went crazy cleaning up after her. But then one day realized, oh my gosh, it is only poop! There are way worse things in life. No big deal.
So as Frankie pooped in school today I was reminded of how far I’ve come. It makes me smile… and yes, even chuckle. But the best part is, I don’t get upset, but just keep moving forward with a sense of peace and calm. What a great place to be. Thank you my little dog on wheels for teaching me patience and humility. Good dog, Frankie. Good dog.