about Chance

We got Chance before my junior year of high school.  I had been begging my parents for a new dog and after a full year of bargaining and pleading they finally agreed to consider the idea. We drove out to Winchester to a farm where some Goldendoodle puppies had just been born.  The breeder opened the door and I remember that split second when we all first saw him - we were sold instantly.  He belonged with us right from the start.

He was too little to take home then, but we went back a few weeks later (those were the LONGEST weeks of my life, or at least felt like it at the time) to officially bring him into our family.  He weighs 92lbs now, so it is hard to imagine that he slept on my lap the whole trip home.  I remember looking at him, so small and curled up, and being amazed at how this little thing could call out such a great love within me.

I'm writing about my dog because I love him dearly, and because even though you might think I'm one of those crazy animal people (I am, so it's alright to think that) maybe you could say a small prayer for my little guy.  We were on vacation this past week and the moment we got into our lake house Chance fell down a flight of stairs.  He broke and dislocated his elbow (I know, who knew dog's have elbows?) and has been in doggie hospital ever since.  To make a long story short - he had surgery to repair the damage, the surgery totally didn't work, he had to have another surgery today and it was difficult, and the doctors are crossing their fingers that the screws they had to put in the bone actually hold this time.

When he fell and my parents rushed to find the number for an emergency vet, I sat with him and curled my body up next to him to make him feel safe.  I held water up to him and let him drink it from my palm and felt his heart pound. I cried for him and was helpless, sitting with a friend who was in pain and being unable to communicate that it would be ok, and that we would take care of him.  I like to think that to him those things were already certain.

I sat with him and thought about how dear his life is to me, and how his presence has comforted me through many moments of loneliness and fear. He has waited up for me when I've come home late.  He has forgiven me for going away to college, for taking trips, for working and leaving home - for leaving him.  He never forgets me when I return. He welcomes me like a prodigal son.  By his existence alone he has provided me the opportunity to be a person who loves, and to be a person whose love is received 100% of the time, whatever I have to offer.

So while my Chancey-boy sits in a vet hospital far away from me, I am thinking of all these things and of him, and I am praying that the Lord would take care of this creature of his that he made, this companion who displays the sweetest love and joy. And I am hoping that he will be bouncing around again soon, running down to Carousel to get a very well-deserved pup cup as large as his precious canine heart desires.