Monday, January 04, 2010

It's Just So Hard To Explain



Unless you've had a pet, it's difficult to understand the relationship humans have with their animal companions. There's a sense of companionship, trust, faithfulness and love that words cannot fully describe. Sometimes I think that should anything ever happen to Chance, I couldn't ever have another dog. Ever. The pain of losing Chance would be too much. I don't think I would ever want to put myself through something like that again.

My canine baby, Chance has been with me for seven years. I got him when he was just a few weeks old. When I got him, he could fit in the palm of my hand. Now, he's 50 lbs and still thinks he's a puppy! He tries to sit on my lap whenever he gets the chance and doesn't realize that he practically knocks me over every time he does that.

Chance has been with me through thick and thin. He's seen me through a difficult relationship that ended badly. He's seen me through the death of my aunt. He comforted me when I ditched my vehicle a few winters ago (someone drove me off the highway).

Chance has also been there for the happiest times of my life. He moved from Toronto with me and found his new home on the Island. He became a farm dog and left his city life behind him.

He's had his fair share of close calls and disasters. When we lived in Toronto, he got his back paw stuck in the elevator door as it was closing. When we moved to the Island, he ate something funky and ended up sick for a week. He wouldn't eat or drink and just seemed so lifeless. After a few days, he was back to his old happy-go-lucky self again.

When we made our new home on Hubby's farm, Chance enjoyed the taste of true freedom. His new freedom cost him his pride and landed him in the veterinary clinic though. Chance had an altercation with a porcupine. His entire face had quills embedded so deeply into his skin that the vet needed to sedate him to take the quills out. He even had a few coming out of his eye socket. Needless to say, that was the very last time Chance ever messed with a porcupine.

Today was the most horrible day by far though. The strange thing is that I had a dream that Chance was pulling Little One on a sled and then they were playing at the beach. When I woke up, I thought that I really need to spend more time with Chance. Ever since I gave birth to Little One, my canine baby hasn't been getting as much attention from me as he used to.

Just before 7AM, I got a phone call from Hubby's cell. Chance had been run over by the school bus and was very badly injured. Great. What a way to start the week off. Hubby had to go on his bus route and couldn't help me, so I tried to make Chance as comfortable as possible. I grabbed something to keep him warm with. I tried to lift him into my van, but he was in too much pain and if he had sustained some internal injuries, I didn't want to make things worse. I waited for Hubby to return, all the while staying with my canine baby. I did go in the house a few times to check on Little One, who was still sleeping and to make a few phone calls.

Chance was taken to the vet, was checked and had x-rays taken. It turns out, he has a crushed pelvis. He will be on pain meds for a while and hopefully won't have any major complications.

I cannot tell you how relieved I am that he is still alive. Some would say that "a bullet is much cheaper than a vet bill" or "he's only an animal". Chance is so much more to me and the idea of losing him today was just too hard to deal with.

Chance definitely lives up to his name. Chance in French means Luck.

26 comments:

Jan said...

Oh no. Poor Chance. Our best wishes go out for a speedy recovery. Being loved as he is is the best medicine for him now.

Anonymous said...

To be read like a poem. Well done and clearly from the heart. Getting well wishes and a nice Tuesday for you all.

Lisa @ Let's Talk Babies said...

Wow, poor Chance. I'm glad he is doing okay. Hoping for a quick and easy recovery.

I completely get where you are coming from. I have 2 cats, one of which is diabetic, had major hip surgery and has cost us a fortune over her 10 year life. But, she is family, she is our fur baby. You can't put a price on that.

Jackie said...

oh the stress you must have had today. We just got a dog in August, and I already can't imagine life without him. Get better soon Chance!

humpsNbump said...

Aww Chance. I'm so sorry about what happened. I completely understand how hard that must have been. Hope he will be well soon.

Also wanted to wish you, hubby and LO a Happy New Year.

XOXO humps

BusyMamma said...

lucky indeed. In so many ways- the obvious- that he is alive, and tha the ended up with such a loving doting owner!
i am so relieved that he is doing okay.

J said...

GAH! Poor baby! (Both you and Chance!) Did he have surgery to repair his pelvis? Poor, poor thing. He must have been so scared.

I know what you mean about losing a beloved pet. When my darling Samantha died (at age 16, in 1988, after being my BFF for all of her 16 years), I wasn't ready for another dog for 15 years. Part of that is that we didn't live in places that were handy to have a dog, but part of it was just that my heart hurt.

On the other hand, when my mom's cat died, her house was SO EMPTY and lonely, she found that she was ready for a new cat (she got two kittens) much faster than she had thought. So you never know how you'll react.

Best wishes for a speedy recovery to your poor darling.

Unknown said...

Jan:
Yes, so true. Love is the best medicine for him right now. Although, he IS pretty high on meds right now! Poor thing. He's been sleeping all day.

I am worried about him not drinking or eating though. I have his water dish and food near him, but the only thing he had was half a dog biscuit. :(

Robert:
Thank you for your well wishes. Hope your week is a great one :) I'll be popping by your blog later tonight!

Unknown said...

Lisa:
Thank you! I hope for a quick and easy recovery too. He's such a calm, easy going dog. I'm hoping the accident and the pain won't change him too much. I know some dogs become pretty short tempered and snappy when they get injured.

Jackie:
Stressful indeed! What an adrenaline rush...and not in a good way! Poor Hubby. School just started up again and it was his first run for the new year. What a way to start off the year and the morning! *sigh*

Unknown said...

Humps:
Happy New Year to you and Baby too! I have a New Year's card I am sending you. I just have to check with you again for your address. I have it on my cell phone, but just want to double check with you. XOXO

Dina:
I would be sooooooo depressed if we lost him yesterday. I'd be so crushed. Remember how little and fluffy he was when I first got him? Remember when you and Sam came to the apartment to see him for the first time??? :) I love, love, love my doggy baby.

Unknown said...

J:
He didn't have surgery done, but if he doesn't get better in two or three weeks, they'll perform surgery on his pelvis. Poor boy. I feel so heartbroken. I know the good thing is that he is alive, but I hate knowing that he is in pain.

caninecologne said...

i'm so sorry to hear about the accident but i am so relieve that chance is okay. i hope he recovers quickly.

i was just telling tc about chance the other day. she asked me if we were going to visit this summer and i told her yes and she would meet you, your husband, your daughter and your pets, like chance and fred and george.

Unknown said...

Canine:
We are sooooooo excited for your visit!!! I've already been thinking of a few restaurants I want to take you to. Of course, we're going to have to go to the Chocolate Works, the candy shop, the Soap Factory, the Bridal Veil Falls, the beaches, AND we HAVE TO take TC horseback riding!!

Poor Chance won't be running after us though. I don't know if he'll ever be able to run again. I hope he recovers and is able to walk without pain.

BTW, did TC's second Christmas present ever arrive?! I tracked the parcel and it was said to have arrived on the 14th of Dec. I would be soooooo crushed if it were stolen or something. It was a set of 12 lifelike horses, since we know TC loves horses.

Barbara said...

Oh my goodness how scary for you! I hope Chance is mending and feeling better as I type. I have a feline baby who adopted me; Fluffy and I know that if anything happened to him I would be devestated! They truly are a part of the family. Sending all off you lots of love and positive energy.

Peace!

caninecologne said...

hi c -
unfortunately we never received the 2nd parcel. i'd hate to think that someone took if off our porch, but that could be it or it's languishing in the post office somewhere. :( sorry.

caninecologne said...

it's me again c - i'll be calling you later this week to talk about our visit. i have some q's... :)

Unknown said...

Canine:
Ooooooooooooh! That would be HORRIBLE!!!! I wonder if there's any way I could find out for sure. I've tracked the parcel and its last destination was your post office.

Anyway, that sucks. It was such a cool present!! At least TC got the first part of her present.

HOORAY!!! Can't wait to chat with you and for you to plan your trip to see us!!! Like all the pamphlets and brochures I sent you a while ago? LOL! Hubby was laughing. He said it looked like I was doing an Island promo for the tourism board or something!

Unknown said...

Barb:
Thank you for your thoughts and well wishes. It still always amazes me how we can hold so much love for our feline and canine babies!! I mean, they live with us and are part of our every day lives. It's amazing how they become part of the family.

How are you doing? Hope your 2010 is a good one! XO

Uncivil said...

Oh no! Gosh, my heart just aches for Chance. Poor baby. Keep us posted on his recovery.
Bullie hugs and Boston kisses from Ab & Em!

caninecologne said...

hi c- do you know which post office? let me know so we can contact them.

i'm sorry that your $$ spent on the gift is gone due to this unfortunate mishap.

you know, i'd do the same thing if someone was visiting from out of town...the pamphlets are quite helpful and of course, tc honed in on the horseback riding one.

word ver:

stratel

Deb said...

I understand the love of a pet. I literally gasped and teared up when you said Chance has been run over by a bus! I cannot imagine if something like that happened to my Ruby. I worry when she look sad and she's a basset hound! they always look sad!

I'm so glad that Chance will be ok. Maybe he will enjoy the pain meds and a little pampering for now. Give him tons of kisses!!!

Ms. Mamma said...

XO, Chrissy. You know how close to the bone this is for me. Today I picked up Charlies ashes and it is still too much.

Unknown said...

Jimbo:
Thank you for thinking of Chance. I'll keep you posted. He finally had a bowel movement (I know...gross, right?) after almost a week. He also turned himself around and changed positions yesterday! Good, because I was worried about him getting bed sores!! Oh, and I saw him SITTING today!!! :)

I'm being optimistic and I'm hoping he comes through this okay. My poor doggy love!

Unknown said...

Canine:
No worries about the $$. I'm just sad that TC didn't receive the gift. I'm going to check which post office it arrived at. I'll get back to you on that.

You and I have been playing telephone tag, girl! Am I it or are you?

Unknown said...

Deb:
I know what you mean! Incredible how much worry we can have for our pets. I swear, this was like one of the days I imagined and dreaded. I was pretty frantic (in my head and in my heart), but on the outside I was calm for Chance. He pretty much looked like he was going to give up. Poor thing.

Unknown said...

Ms.Mamma:
Oh, no! :( Can I tell you how much this comment had me weeping!?!?! I am sooooo sorry to hear that, Heidi! Big hugs headed your way.

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City girl moves to the country, falls in love, and marries a farmer. She tries to incorporate her city ways with her new country lifestyle and blogs to keep in touch with friends, family & students who live far, far away :) Can this city girl go country? Watch as she learns all sorts of exciting things about life on the farm and in a small rural community. *UPDATE* We are now parents! Our baby girl was born on Nov. 11, 2008 (at 28 weeks gestation- 12 weeks premature, but she's quite the trooper)!!!
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