Sabbath is home

Sabbath came home yesterday, for more tender loving care. She is not back to normal yet, but the vet thinks her blood count should be improving gradually. The drip was removed on Friday, as the venous site was getting inflamed. The results of the repeat test showed much improvement compared to the previous one. The platelets are almost back to normal. The red cell count was up but still far below the normal. She is still quite anemic - probably about 50 % short. However, as she was eating well (again, I am thankful she has always been a greedy dog), she didn't need the drip any more.

It is such a joy to have her home again - although we have to monitor her condition carefully. Any sign of skin hemorrhage or increasing pallor and it's back to the vet. Otherwise we can wait until end of next week for another blood test. And not stress for her, like running or climbing the stairs. Food wise, it is high nutrition diet, now on food for pregnant dogs! And she can't get enough of the tasty meaty canned stuff.

This episode was not really any 'fun'. But it was a necessary lesson (our God is certainly able to use anything in life for his loving lessons) in letting go. Through it, I experienced what it means to move out of self ('my' needs) and consider, in this case, Sabbath and her needs. There will come a time when her body will be too weak to go on - and at such a time, whether it came last week or is delayed for a few years, her need might be to stop fighting and just breathe her last. And any "attachment" on my part would be selfish. I may be learning through my dog what I needed to learn years ago when my mother had cancer. She was so weak towards the end and yet I was not free enough to tell her it's ok to go. I clung on for my sake rather than hers. The grief was more complicated as a result. But thank God, he redeems all things and such experiences are never the final word. We learn and relearn many lessons of grace along life's journey.

Blessed are those whose strength is in you,

who have set their hearts on pilgrimage.

As they pass through the valley of Baca they make it a place of springs;

the autumn rains also cover it with pools.

They go from strength to strength

till each appears before God in Zion.