Horse pills and little angels

“I think dogs are the most amazing creatures; they give unconditional love.  For me they are the role model for being alive.”  ~Gilda Radner

“What’s your pain level?” the nurse asked.

“Nine,” I quickly remarked.  I was too tired to say nine and a half and would have said ten, but that’s reserved for pain that sends a person to an emergency room.  If I hadn’t had a doctor see, then it would have been an emergency.

My blood pressure was high, which for me means severe pain.  The doctor said I needed another round of the horse pills I had taken.

“I don’t know why I feel this bad,” I told my good friend after the appointment.  “It’s a simple bladder infection,” I said, but my whole body ached.

“You started out on the edge of good health,” he gently responded.   “Now your body has to use all it’s energy to fight the infection.”

My friend didn’t have much time to spare, but he made me a wonderful egg sandwich.  It was no ordinary egg sandwich.  It came with such tenderness in his heart, that I felt like the most special person to him in the world.  That right there is healing.

I went home and straight to bed.  My beloved canine companion, little Ruthie, woke me with a gentle kiss on my arm around seven o’clock.  She knows exactly when dinner time arrives.  Ruthie is such a tender dog.  She always asks for what she needs in the sweetest little ways.

Our other dog heard me stirring around and came into the bedroom.  They both wanted to eat and go outside. 

The first thing Ruthie did when we walked outside was spot a rabbit.  Holding her back was hard and it made me irritable.  I raised my voice, which made me feel guilty, but I knew I couldn’t take being pulled by her.   I brought them back inside, fed them and returned to bed.  They both settled on the floor beside my bed, like little angels watching over me.

The dogs don’t sleep in their usual places when I’m sick.  They are more protective of me.  They’re vigilant little guardians.

Living with chronic pain and exhaustion is hard.  Getting sick on top of being sick is depressing.

I decided to rent movies to make it through the next dose of horse pills.  I hoped depression wouldn’t get the best of me, but then I have these little creatures walking on four legs.  They are the best medicine in the world!  Dogs really do rule.