Don't Look Your Gift Pup in the Mouth

A few mornings ago, bright and early, our little Dottie gave us all quite a fright. Or, perhaps more accurate, our little Leila gave us quite a fright when she started screaming like an angry mama bear had just come barging into her room demanding we give all the porridge back and fix the chairs! In any event, Leila was heaved out of her slumbering by dear Dottie having a seizure on her bed - so violent that she seized herself right off the bed and then continued to seize.

Now, those of you who know me will know that Dottie is not always the best part of my day. But to see this poor little body thrashing around with nothing, or no one able to comfort her brought me to my knees. To add injury to heartache, when the excruciating 3min ordeal (which seemed to last a lifetime) was finally over, and she was able to newly- born fawn herself up to stand, she had no idea where she was or who we were! Picture this, a trembling, frothing at the mouth, Boston Terrier with dead eyes- growling and barking at the people who’ve comforted her for the past 6 years. Panic stricken, we all flung ourselves out of her way (onto couches, chairs, countertops), and frantically started hurling questions at each other - Did anyone see her get bitten by a bat? When was the last time we checked her for ticks? Has she made a neighbour mad? Did she find someone’s discarded pot brownie on the road (we are in BC after all)? Then, in the blink of an eye she came bounding over to my feet, wiggling and snorting with delight as if I’d been gone. for. ages. and had just walked through the door.

The French (aka, my husband) and I often joke that we love Dottie because Leila loves Dottie. But the truth is, for the last 6 years Dottie has been there for us - she makes us laugh, she forces some serious introspection (ie, why we needed a little dog in the first place? And how is it that tiny dog nails on hardwood can cause so much jaw clenching? Ha!), she’ll cuddle when you cry and keep you up all night with her less-than ladylike snores. She can hunt down the tiniest patch of sunshine to bask in even on the dreariest of days, making those days just a little less dreary for all of us.

I am so relieved she’s ok, but also horrified at how much I took her snuffling, bouncing presence for granted. I’m ashamed to admit I may have even rolled my eyes at her snuffling and bouncing on (more than one) occasion. I feel like there’s a lesson here… A stark reminder that all the relationships we participate in run deep. There really is no telling what tomorrow will bring, so make the most of your days and the people (dogs, cats, geckos…) you fill them with. It’s strangely humorous to me that, in the middle of this covid19, bonker-balls of a year, it took our silly, little black and white dog to really drive this home for me.