Will all the dogs we've fostered over the years this is our first one with kennel cough. It's not a laughing matter, but we have found some humor in it. The coughing and hacking was intense when Buddy arrived. I'd bring him to work with me just to keep an eye on him. Several of my coworkers thought he was a goner. Pretty sure they were appalled. I felt the need to explain to my customers that no one was expiring in the design room. Although I did keep thinking I'd be stepping on lung that was coughed up in the process. Giving him Robitussin was a challenge, until I got the soft gel tablets. Even then he has a knack for opening the tablet and discarding it. Somehow he gets the medicine, so I don't care how he does it. His cough is better now, just some episodes of wheezing these days.
Because of the coughing, hacking and wheezing, we've affectionately begun calling him Buddwheezer. It fits this old dude. Could be worse. We could call him Buddgeezer. He's older, but not really a geezer. Lucky for him.
No matter their issues, idiosyncrasies, personality, their sense of character, and Lord knows we've had some characters, we fall in love with them. Perhaps it's the investment of care, the nurturing we do, the affection we exchange with them. Perhaps it's because they are so lovable and have been unloved. Maybe it's because no two fosters are alike. Each is a gift of the unknown. It takes all kinds and they are all kinds of amazing.
So Buddwheezer would like you to know he's feeling much, much better. It's a relief for us to know he's more comfortable. And a blessing to not look for lungs on the floor when walking near him. It takes all kinds and Buddy takes the cake.
The state slogan here is Nebraska the Good Life. For a nine year old pointer named Buddy so it is.
Buddy joined the Great Plains Pointer Rescue fold recently and today took up residence with us as a new foster. He's an older dude who deserves a cushy existence. He was a hunting dog lost afield. When he was found his owner had moved out-of-state and didn't want him back. I know I can think of several names for people like that...can't you?
Here is the deal, Buddy is a bit of a crusty old boy with mast cell tumors, irritated skin, and he just got neutered. His whole world changed, he lost his jewels and he's trying to find a way to settle in. Life is like that sometimes, we're irritated, we've been altered and we don't know where to settle.
Our job is to help him do just that. Good news is that his tumors are low grade and have clean margins. That means Buddy will be healthy enough to enjoy that forever home when it finds him.
Until then, he's with us. He has some learning to do to appreciate the finer things in life, like living indoors, soft blankets, warmth and nourishment. And while I would like to have some words with his former owner, I believe I'd begin them with gratitude. By not wanting him back, he gave Buddy a second chance for happiness. So he wasn't a complete moron, but very close.
I can distinctly remember saying someday I want a job where I can take my dog to work with me. Maybe I prayed that, maybe it was a wish. Sometimes those things are one in the same. It came to pass, prayer answered.
I remember saying/praying/wishing that when my kids were young I could only work part time. And I did, even when divorce challenged me to work full time. I also remember saying that after they were out of school I'd work my ass off. That one came true too. It's okay for that part to ease up a little. Just sayin.
I know we wished/prayed/dreamed for a place with some land for the dogs to enjoy. Never realizing how much we would love it too.
I remember thinking how nice it would be to have professional pictures taken with one of my dogs. I wanted it, but not enough to make it happen. But happen it did thanks to belonging to K-9's & Friends Therapy Dogs and the good people at Lad Photography.
Another prayer/wish/dream come true. But, and there is always a but, I admit to struggling with that whole timing thing. Don't you? I see some prayers answered, and know there are others still clearly in the works. I know they have been heard. Lord knows because I've not been shy in asking repeatedly for them. Most frustrating are the ones I pray for others. I can wait, but I don't want my loved ones to have to wait. So maybe if I ask nice once again we can speed up that process.
Or not. So I count the blessings of prayers/wishes/dreams answered. And I wait. Knowing I must be in good company in this struggle. I'm not alone, and answers are coming.
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