Perspective

Meeting with the oncologist Thursday and we will discuss what Sam’s osteosarcoma treatment will be.

Every day we see more signs of our old dog returning.

Today, he showed interest in chasing tennis balls again.  Every Golden Retriever knows that any tennis ball must be placed within throwing distance of the nearest human as frequently as possible.

While he still has flashes of what we assume is phantom leg pain, he doesn’t complain.  He’s happy when we are home, he’s glad to nap when we aren’t and he shows no sign of feeling sorry for himself or angry that he doesn’t have his leg anymore.

Occasionally, you can see some frustration while he’s trying to figure out how to navigate a tough area or solve a problem that was easily handled with four feet.  That said, he’s very proud of himself when he figures it out.

Noted author and Haiku poet R.H. Blyth had this to say about dogs:

“The puppy even more than the mature dog takes each day, each moment as it comes.

It does not

look before and after

And pine for what is not.

When it is warm, it basks in the sun; when it rains, it

whimpers to be let in.  There is nothing between the

sun and the puppy, the rain and the whimper.”

I try to imagine what my reaction would be if  my arm was removed up to the scapula.  I’m pretty sure it wouldn’t be as amazing as Sam’s adjustment.

The tennis ball dropped at my feet by a smiling retriever today reminds me to be glad to live in this moment, right now.

You can learn a lot from a red fluffball with three legs.

-Sam’s Dad.

Author: samdog

Sam was a 10 yr old Golden. We found a mass on his right arm bone on August 17, 2012. Confirmed Sarcoma on August 22, amputation on August 23, post amp biopsy confirmed osteosarcoma. We found lung mets on November 27 and Spirit Sam earned his wings on December 2, 2012. As a retired SAR dog, we were always up for an adventure... We didn't know where we were headed, and we don't regret a single step along our path. My heart left us too soon, but left a legacy of love that we will always cherish.

4 thoughts on “Perspective”

  1. Absolutely! Our dogs are amazing in how they get on with adapting to changes and living their lives. I love the poem.

  2. Here! Here! When you first start out on this journey, it’s so hard to see that something good can come of all of it, but what it really does is teach humans how to really live in the Now, and not make big deals out of little things that take away from enjoying every moment together as a pack.

    So happy to hear Sam is coming back to his old self!

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