Ok, I did not learn to be grateful after I moved to the country. This is a lesson that I have been learning all my life, I think most people learn this all their lives. And I think that sometimes we forget what and who we have in our lives and we forget to be grateful.
I have a german sheperd dog who is now 8 1/2 years old. This dog was never supposed to be my dog. She was my son's dog. I did not bond with her when she was a small puppy for that reason - not my dog. When she was about 6 months old my son was very busy with school, work and friends and I did not like leaving her in the kennel so.......you guessed it.......I feel in love with her! When my son moved out of the house I told him he had to leave the dog...and so she has been my dog for the last 8 years. I know that most people will tell you that their dog is a good dog, but when I tell you she is a good dog it is the truth......every person that has ever been to my house will tell you the same thing. She doesn't even attempt to bite, she wants love and attention from almost everyone. She is very well behaved. Don't get me wrong she has her moments when she doesn't listen, but those are rare. When we moved to the country she had to learn a lot of new things, like staying in the yard with no fence, that other dogs come into her yard, that there are cars that drive fast down a dirt road, and that there are other animals that now live here with her......like horses......now to the real point of this post.
Every day, twice a day for the last 3 years she goes to the barn with me to feed the horses. Since she is a hearding dog and it is in her nature, she barks at them to go into their stalls. She has had near misses with being kicked or stepped on, but no contact has been made until earlier this week. One of the horses made contact with her face....I did not see it, I heard it, and the heard her yelp and then saw the blood. I am not going to go into a lot of detail here, because some of it is kind of gross. Anyway I took her to the vet, he performed surgery on her. He took out two large pieces of her skull directly over her eyes. Her brain was not exposed, just her sinus cavity. He stitched her back up and wanted to keep her for a couple of days. It was really gross to watch the surgery, but I had to be there for her. It was so VERY hard to leave her, and the remainder of the day was a very hard day, as it was truly touch and go for her. She is home now and is doing fine. She is no longer allowed to go to the barn and no longer allowed to play rough. So this is a new phase of her life we are entering, but she is still here and I am forever grateful (to the Vet, but mainly to God)!!!
While this story is about a dog, the lesson is universal. Be grateful and thankful for the people and animals in your life. If you have people or animals that you love, show them and tell them everyday, because you just never know when they will no longer be with you. This post is in memory of some people and animals that have come and gone in my life: Granny, Taw, Dad, Chris H, Nick S, Tommy C, Major, Gizmo, Herbie. I am grateful for those that are still here: Mom, Stephanie, Keelee Jo, Jerry, Aunt Lois, Joe, Jason, Cindy, Crystal, Riley, Ladybug.....there are many others that I include in my prayers every day, but these are the most important.
