Lucky and Zico and Damon. (Three Dogs)

Time moves on.

The big wide world exploded on my face,

The second hand began to move,

It could not be stopped

Its hands were not in mine.

Being rich I might be or maybe poor

My health might falter,

My inner being I hope will flow

But the hands are moving 

And all I have is the present

 I must live with what I have.

Tomorrow will come with no help from me.

One of my students, Kris, from my teaching time a really good caring lad got in touch with me the other day. He shared with me how he was feeling about the death of his dog Zico. He was like so many pet owners who become attached to their pets and when the time comes you feel at a complete loss and ask so many questions about what if and I could it have been other. 

Kris had two German Shepherd dogs, both not unlike my own Dog Damon, who was killed while out running with me, so we had a loss in common. There is one thing I know and it is this, Zico would have had a marvellous life with a wonderful master who will miss him but need not fret asking questions. I have no doubt at all that he will have done everything in his power to help Zico through hise life and illness.

Let me tell you a true tale about another dog. 

Mary and her husband Jim had a dog named 'Lucky.' Lucky was a real character. Whenever Mary and Jim had friends come for a weekend visit they would warn their friends to not leave their luggage open because Lucky would help himself to whatever struck his fancy. Inevitably, someone would forget and something would disappear.

Mary or Jim would go to Lucky's toy box in the basement and there the treasure would be, amid all of Lucky's other favourite toys. He always stashed his finds in his toy box and he was very particular that his toys stay in the box.

It happened that Mary found out she had breast cancer. Something told her she was going to die of this disease. She was just sure it was going to be fatal.

The hospital and surgeon had booked her in and an operation date was scheduled. The night before she was to go to the hospital she spent valuable time with Lucky. She could not help wondering what would happen to Lucky? Although the three-year-old dog liked Jim, he was Mary's dog through and through. If I die, Lucky will be abandoned, Mary thought. He won't understand that I didn't want to leave him!

The thought made her sadder than thinking of her own death.

The double mastectomy was harder on Mary than her doctors had anticipated and Mary was hospitalised for over two weeks. Jim took Lucky for his evening walk faithfully, but the little dog just drooped, whining and miserable.

At last, the day came for Mary to leave the hospital. When she arrived home, Mary was so exhausted she couldn't even make it up the steps to her bedroom. Jim made his wife comfortable on the couch and left her to nap.

Lucky stood watching Mary but he didn't come to her when she called. It made Mary sad but sleep soon overcame her and she dozed.

When she woke for a second she couldn't understand what was wrong. She couldn't move her head and her body felt heavy and hot. But panic soon gave way to laughter when she realised the problem.

She was covered, literally blanketed, with every treasure Lucky owned! While she had slept, the sorrowing dog had made trip after trip to the basement bringing his beloved mistress all his favourite things in life.

He had covered her with his love.

Right then Mary forgot about dying. Instead she and Lucky began living again, walking further and further together every day. It's been 12 years now and Mary is still cancer-free. Lucky, he still steals treasures and stashes them in his toy box but Mary remains his greatest treasure.

As my little poem at the beginning of this says, live every day to the fullest.

Each minute is a blessing.

And never forget, the people who make a difference in our lives are not the ones with the most credentials, the most money, or the most awards.

They are the ones that care for us.

If you see someone without a smile today give them one of yours! Live simply. Love seriously. Care deeply. Speak kindly.

And have a marvellous day.