Thank You Lord

As I drove to the vet yesterday morning, I knew my little dog was going to need an expensive surgery, and following that, an expensive splint and 9 months rehab. I didn't even pray much. I had accepted that what must be must be and God would provide. In a moment of optimism, I packed a small container or water and of her food. Since she was likely going to be operated on, I had been told no food or water after midnight. But just in the impossible case that she returned home with me, I wanted her food and water ready. We won't need it, I thought, as I packed it, but just in case....I was very emotional as I drove the 45 minutes to the vet. I tried not to feel sad and overwhelmed, but it was hard not to cry. So I cried. Honeybun, who never licks, licked my hand.

When we arrived, Dr. Love sat on the floor next to poor Honeybun and began pinching and prodding. I watched as he scowled and as Honeybun yelped when he hit a specific spot. She never growled, nor bared her teeth. She just stoically suffered. And then Dr. Love looked at me.
"It's not her knee," he said, "She won't be going into surgery this morning."
He walked out of the room, saying he would be right back. I quickly went to the "cookie jar" and fished out several "cookies" for my patient, darling dog. If she didn't need surgery, she could eat. She wolfed them down.

When Dr. Love returned, he said he was completely sure there was no pain in the knee, it could not be the cruciate ligaments; the pain was in the hip. The xray showed no hip dysplasia or anything else, so he said there could be a sprain or arthritis, or something...but nothing he seemed terribly worried about. He had a vet tech come in and do a 5 minute painless laser therapy, put her on a pain/anti inflammatory medicine, and told me to return in a few days for another laser treatment. The laser treatment is totally painless and a relatively new intervention that promotes circulation and healing, reduces pain, and can almost miraculously help a hurting area. Just like Star Trek!
As Dr. Love turned to go, I ran to him and hugged him. He is about 7 feet tall, maybe taller. It was like hugging a giraffe.
"Thank you!" I said.

Last evening, I went on a walk and when I walked in the door, Honeybun and Lucky came bounding to greet me, like they always do. Like they always do! Honeybun was walking! And wagging! And smiling again! This morning she is limping, holding her leg up, but I am hopeful.We will bring her with us to my son's law school graduation. She will get a lot of love and crate time to rest. (But probably won't have time for any blogs the next couple of days.)

It has been a hard month with all the family deaths, friend deaths, and now this. A very hard month. But in the midst of it, many friends called and emailed asking if they could help, many sent cards, gift cards, one offered free pet care even with the difficult injuries and post op issues we envisioned for Honeybun, my parents offered to pay for the multi-thousand dollar operation, many prayed, many asked for updates....I have never felt so loved and cared for and watched over. And then, God worked a miracle and the operation was off the table.

When we left Dr. Love, I put Honeybun back in the van and opened the container of food and water that I had packed on the impossible off-chance that surgery would not happen that morning. As she gobbled it down, I leaned against the van door and whispered, "Thank you Lord."

2 Corinthians 9:8-15 NIV
[8] And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. [9] As it is written: “They have freely scattered their gifts to the poor; their righteousness endures forever.” [10] Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness. [11] You will be enriched in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God. [12] This service that you perform is not only supplying the needs of the Lord’s people but is also overflowing in many expressions of thanks to God. [13] Because of the service by which you have proved yourselves, others will praise God for the obedience that accompanies your confession of the gospel of Christ, and for your generosity in sharing with them and with everyone else. [14] And in their prayers for you their hearts will go out to you, because of the surpassing grace God has given you. [15] Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!


P.S. off to my son's graduation from Law School- may be no blogs for the next few days. But would cherish prayers for him getting the perfect job and for my dear Honeybun's complete and speedy healing.



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