Inspiring Quotes for Caregivers — 09/09/09
A Great Dog Story
This story by an unknown author was published on the internet and a dear friend shared it with me. You’ll like it even if you don’t have a dog, and you may even decide you need one. 
I dedicate it to the many loving caregivers in the world — past, present and future.
Mary and her husband Jim had a dog named ‘Lucky.’ Lucky was a real
character. Whenever Mary and Jim had company 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 come up missing.
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 favorite toys. Lucky
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 . . . in fact, she was just
sure it was fatal.
She scheduled the double mastectomy, fear riding her shoulders. The
night before she was to go to the hospital she cuddled with Lucky. A
thought struck her . . . 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 hospitalized for over two weeks. Jim took
Lucky for his evening walk faithfully, but the little dog just
drooped, whining and miserable.
Finally 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 Mary 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 Mary realized 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 favorite things in
life. He had covered her with his love.
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.
Remember . . . live every day to the fullest. Each minute is a blessing
from God. 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!
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Welcome back! And a what a story to start the blogging off! Wonderful story. Do keep them coming please.
Thank you for such an awesome story!
Hi Rummuser,
It feels good to be back. Thanks for the welcome wishes.
Hi Lori,
So glad you liked it as much as I did.