Tag Archives: Dexter

Gratitude Friday

4 Replies

This post started as a mashup of The Little Bliss List and Joy Jam, and as such is meant to celebrate: the little things that brought me hope and happiness this week, the sweet stuff of life, those small gifts that brought me joy this week. By sharing them, I not only make public my gratitude, but maybe also help you notice your own good stuff and send some positive energy out into the world.

1. Avocados. Yes, again. Seriously, I might have a problem, might turn into an avocado if I don’t stop it. This recipe for a Smashed Chickpea & Avocado Salad Sandwich from Two Peas and Their Pod is the next thing I’m going to try.

2. Spring Break. Today is the final day, and it’s been soooo busy, never is the week of nothing but space and time and rest that I imagine, but it was nice to have a little break.

3. Dexter’s Physical Therapy. Dr. Lindsey Habermann has two cattle dog mixes of her own, and has been taking such good care of Dexter, along with Sharon, and everyone else who’s helped along the way, (seriously, he loves going). He’s doing so much better and I’m so grateful.

4. Getting to walk dogs with Eric in the morning. Or getting to sleep in and having him walk the dogs for me. Either way, I’m grateful.

5. Good people. I am surrounded by them. Loving, funny, wicked smart, generous, creative people. They buy me salted caramel lattes, make me laugh, cheer me up and inspire me.

Bonus Joy: Another week with Dexter. He did have another bloody nose this week, but has been in a much better mood (the one way I could tell when his leg was bothering him was he wasn’t his usual cheerful self) and he even slept in bed with us all last night, (I miss that).

you might not be able to tell, but he's smiling

you might not be able to tell, but he’s smiling

Wishcasting Wednesday

12 Replies
Spring-475x353

from Jamie’s post

Today Jamie asks “what’s your Spring wish?” I haven’t Wishcast in a long while, not because I don’t appreciate the practice but because I was doing too much and needed to slow down, so this was a practice that was on haitus. However, this wish felt like an opportunity I shouldn’t pass up.

You see, I was just out in the backyard playing with Dexter (and Sam too). It’s a bit cold out today, but I wanted to be outside. The grass is starting to green up and things are starting to bud and even bloom. There’s a lawn chair out from just a few days ago when it was sunny and warm.

I never thought I would see another Spring with Dexter in it. His prognosis when his cancer was diagnosed was 95 days, with his first significant symptoms a month before that, so I wasn’t even sure if he’d stay long enough to see snow again. That was almost eight months ago, and he’s still here.

And yet, living with a terminally ill pet means things can change at any time. He went to physical therapy this morning and even they noticed he was in a happier mood, was clearly feeling better. He’s getting stronger and while the tear in his knee won’t likely heal completely, he’s doing really well considering, is able to be moderately and carefully active. That made me feel really good, but then just a few hours later, he sneezed a few times and there was blood, so I shifted to feeling sad. This is how it goes.

So my Spring wish is in two parts: May I be able to remain fully present with Dexter while he is still here, and when it’s time for him to go, may he have an easy death.