Mary and her husband Jim had a dog named 'Lucky.' Lucky was a real character. Whenever Mary and Jim had company come for a weekend visit they would warn their friends to not leave their luggage open because Lucky would help himself to whatever struck his fancy. Inevitably, someone would forget and something would come up missing.
Mary or Jim would go to Lucky's toy box in the basement and there the treasure would be, amid all of Lucky's other favorite toys. Lucky always stashed his finds in his toy box and he was very particular that his toys stay in the box.
It happened that Mary found out she had breast cancer. Something told her she was going to die of this disease....in fact, she was just sure it was fatal.
She scheduled the double mastectomy, fear riding her shoulders. The night before she was to go to the hospital she cuddled with Lucky. A thought struck her...what would happen to Lucky? Although the three-year-old dog liked Jim, he was Mary's dog through and through. If I die, Lucky will be abandoned, Mary thought. He won't understand that I didn't want to leave him. The thought made her sadder than thinking of her own death.
The double mastectomy was harder on Mary than her doctors had anticipated and Mary was hospitalized for over two weeks. Jim took Lucky for his evening walk faithfully, but the little dog just drooped, whining and miserable.
Finally the day came for Mary to leave the hospital. When she arrived home, Mary was so exhausted she couldn't even make it up the steps to her bedroom. Jim made his wife comfortable on the couch and left her to nap.
Lucky stood watching Mary but he didn't come to her when she called. It made Mary sad but sleep soon overcame her and she dozed..
When Mary woke for a second she couldn't understand what was wrong. She couldn't move her head and her body felt heavy and hot. But panic soon gave way to laughter when Mary realized the problem. She was covered, literally blanketed, with every treasure Lucky owned! While she had slept, the sorrowing dog had made trip after trip to the basement bringing his beloved mistress all his favorite things in life. He had covered her with his love.
Mary forgot about dying. Instead she and Lucky began living again, walking further and further together every day. It's been 12 years now and Mary is still cancer-free. Lucky? He still steals treasures and stashes them in his toy box but Mary remains his greatest treasure.
Remember....live every day to the fullest. Each minute is a blessing from God. And never forget....the people who make a difference in our lives are not the ones with the most credentials, the most money, or the most awards. They are the ones that care for us.
If you see someone without a smile today give them one of yours! Live simply. Love seriously. Care deeply. Speak kindly. Leave the rest to God .
A small request: Keep this message circulating.
Dear God, I pray for the cure of cancer. Amen
16 comments:
What a beautiful post! It brought tears to my eyes imagining her waking up covered with all of Lucky's treasures. I will tweet this out and keep sharing.
Thank you so much! I thought it was a very touching story as well. I really appreciate your sharing!
we cried while reading... but it was such a beautiful story... and you wrote it so well.... I agree with you and I will pray that we find a cure...
OMG...what a touchingly BEAUTIFUL post, Jeanne! It literally brought tears to my eyes. And not only is this post perfect for breast cancer awareness month, but it also shows just how loyal, compassionate, and loving pets are. I once had someone tell me that they thought animals are not capable of love because unlike humans, they don't have a soul. I just shook my head in disbelief that anyone could even conceive of such a belief.
Thanks so much for sharing this, my friend!
X to you and the girlz
What a beautiful post♥ Thank you so much for sharing it, girls!
I've read this story before and I always love it. Makes me smile
What a touching story!!! Furries really do care for their humans so very much.
Woos - Lightning and Misty
This is the sweetest story I have read in quite some time. It made me cry and poor Bentley got squeezed with love hugs! ♥
Such a wonderful story!!!
We thought so too! Glad that you enjoyed it!
Thanks so much Melissa! I bet Bentley actually loved it too!
I totally agree....our furry family members care SO much...if only some humans cared that much!
Me too Ann...it is powerful! A very meaningful message indeed!
Thank you so much! We think it expresses a very important message!
I totally agree Ron! Anyone that thinks animals don't have souls has never taken the time or energy required to really get to know an animal!! I am passionate about this!! Whether it be cat or dog...our furry friends demonstrate love beyond belief! It is a true medical fact that they help kids and adults alike to recover more quickly in the hospital! Hence...Therapy Dogs! I can remember how very excited my mom would get when she was living in the Alzheimer's Treatment Facility...and she would tell me that it was VISITING day for the animals! All of the residents would get SO excited...I think the therapy dogs reminded them of pets they may have had in the past. Even in mom's last months when she did not smile very much and really didn't know who anyone was...she always, always smiled for those dogs! It still makes ME smile today! Thanks for your kind words Ron!
Thank you so much for your kind words Easy and Mom! I think we are all praying that a cure will be found and SOON.
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