Hello Friends. And also any strangers who happened to land here today. Happy Thanksgiving. I know we have a few days still but let's be honest, the holiday starts when the cooking starts and that's usually today.
If you're cooking.
Which I'm not, but if I were I'd start today.
Today. Whew. Actually it's been a whole entire weekend+ Monday, which is why there won't be a Hodgepodge post this week. I know technically this post is all over the place and feels very hodgepodge-y, but there's no official Wednesday Hodgepodge this week. The Hodgepodge will be back next week when we'll be in full on December mode.
Even though it will still be November.
Life here is not dull. I feel like it should be a little bit dull because we're retired. Shouldn't there be days where we ask each other what do you want to do today and hubs says I don't know what do you want to do today? Yeah, that doesn't happen here.
Saturday we awakened to a dog throwing up. Now I know this is something dogs do occasionally, but not our dog. Our dog is the Superman of dogs and has a stomach of steel. He was sick several times, and I gently suggested to hubs mid morning that maybe we should think about taking him in to the ER vet, but Tennessee was playing Georgia at 3:30 PM and hubs was not missing it.
Except of course he did because the pup was pathetic and is his best bud. He made the 40 minute drive to the ER vet, then spent the next four hours waiting, seeing the doctor, and having the dog's blood drawn and belly x-rayed. Basically he missed the entire game which, if you're a Tennessee fan, wasn't such a bad thing. ahem.
They did not see a blockage but of course nobody knows this dog like the hubs knows this dog, and he suspected the pup had eaten a paper towel (or two) when he was cleaning the grill on Friday. I read online paper towels can become like papier mache in a dogs belly but the doctors saw nothing on the x-ray. They did give him something that coats the stomach so when the dog seemed worse and not better on Sunday morning, it was back to the ER vet for another look.
Offering here 1000 bonus points for anyone who can explain to me why these things always always always happen on a weekend or after hours.
Sunday's visit revealed a blockage, which we were sure was a paper towel (or two), but as it turns out was a baby sock, size 12-24 months. Y'all my grandson was here two weeks ago which is a long time for a sock to be stuck in your dog's belly.
All that to say, the dog spent Sunday night at the ER vet, so instead of getting ready to visit our daughter and her family this morning, we were waiting to hear how surgery went. Ugh! ugh ugh ugh. The worry. The irritation. The aggravation. The money. And of course the biggest ugh of all was the idea that I was not going to see my girl and her littles as planned. I was not going to be side by side with her in the kitchen as we chopped celery and made dressing and pulled out the good dishes.
I wasn't going to get to see my grands open their Christmas pj's or help decorate their tree, or read stories snuggled up on the couch, or get great big hugs around the neck, and I'm going to be honest and tell you that on Sunday I had myself a little pity party. Maybe more than a little.
But God is so good to give us new mercies every single day, so I woke up this morning and I got a grip. I reminded myself the world is full of tremendous sorrows right now and this is not one of them. I talked to my sister who suggested we get a dinner to go from the grocery store and I had a new plan and a new outlook. Then I read this prayer first thing and it truly helped reset my outlook. And my 'in-look' too. It was posted by @cleerlystated on Instagram, not sure if I can share it without permission, so here's the link- A Prayer for Thanksgiving Week.
Before too long the the vet called saying surgery went well. They would need to keep the dog for a few days because he also has a completely unrelated but significant skin infection and all that to say Thanksgiving is back on.
I mean it was never off, but I let my mind travel down a road we are not meant to travel, and for a minute my normally grateful heart felt so completely Grinchy. Why is that so easy to do?
Making a list and checking it twice now...
I'm grateful today for modern medicine, for animals who worm their way into our hearts, for a husband who doesn't say 'snap out of it!', but instead lets me feel what I feel and offers hot tea, scrambled eggs, and a fuzzy blanket if I think it would help.
I'm thankful for sisters who share my disappointments, who walk me through a plan B, who tell me I'm not being ridiculous when even I know I'm being just a little bit ridiculous. Sisters who love my girls and understand all the ways holidays and family go together.
I'm so glad God loves me in spite of myself. That He keeps growing me up and into the person He created me to be. That He's not through with me yet.
Grateful especially for this season that reminds me to count my blessings. Happy Thanksgiving everyone!
I am glad your dog is okay now that surgery is over. I do agree, about the vet visits that are ER. We were at the vet this past Saturday and after one hour, and minus $500+, we spent a 24 hour watch on a drugged doxie. Ours hurt her back. Sometimes we do have a little pity party because we are human. I hope you have a great Thanksgiving!
ReplyDeleteI think we all would have had a pity party in those circumstances. So glad for you that the dog will be okay and that your plans are back on track. Have a great Thanksgiving Joyce.
ReplyDeleteThis is the sweetest and most heartfelt post. Goodness, hate that about poor Hundley but glad all is on the road upward. Blessings abundant for a wonderful Thanksgiving!
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad your dog is going to be okay but I can "feel" your disappointment through the words of your blog and I'm sending air hugs your way. I'm glad you have a plan B.
ReplyDeleteUgh and Oye...so sorry for this unexpected emergency. Now that I typed that I'm saying to myself, 'aren't all emergencies unexpected?'. I'm happy that things worked out for y'all. I'll be on the road next Wednesday so I'll be absent from the podge. Happy Thanksgiving to you all and thanks be to God for all His kindness to us!
ReplyDeleteHi Joyce, thank you for your honesty and heart to heart talks with us readers. That is one of the reasons I enjoy From This Side of the Pond so much.
ReplyDeleteI am happy the little brown dog is alright.
Enjoy your Thanksgiving!!!
Carla
Wow. I'm so sorry you. the dog, and your hubs have had to go through this.
ReplyDeleteBut with that said, your writing skill is at the TOP of your game with all you have expressed here. Your writing skills AND your attitude really inspire me.
Some years ago it was you who brought to my attention the phrase, "One world problem." I had never heard that before but was immediately impressed with the truth of it. In this blog post you said, "the world is full of tremendous sorrows right now and this is not one of them."
Truthfully, that idea of what is and what is not a "one world problem" has been very helpful as I work through whatever issues are keeping me awake at night. Thank you for sharing the stuff of your life the way you do. You are tasteful and discreet but still get the message across.
Have a Happy Thanksgiving.
Christmas is approaching and excitement is growing with possible a pity party thrown in to help us cope
ReplyDeleteSo sorry about your dog having these issues and that all is well now. Our Skye never threw up either so you knew that signs. I loved the prayer you shared. So were you able to travel? So he missed his football game but I love the way he takes care of you. This is a stressful time of year. ((HUGS)) Hope your Thanksgiving is beautiful.
ReplyDeleteYep, 1 thing I learned from my husband's illness is not to sweat the small stuff, even if they seem big at the time. Take 1 day at a time, take what God gives you, and thank him for every day. :) Happy Thanksgiving!
ReplyDeleteOh my goodness..what a weekend, but you worded this so beautifully, especially about waking up the next morning and getting a grip. lol. Glad your dog pulled through. I needed to read this encouragement this week. See you next week on Hodgepodge.
ReplyDeleteGod is so good. So thankful that your dog will be fine and that Thanksgiving is still on. Love your perspective and I had seen (and so appreciated) that same prayer on Instagram. Have a blessed Thanksgiving!
ReplyDeleteA trip to the ER Vet would be expensive, would it not.............I am pleased to read that your dog is ok, I hope your Thanksgiving is a good one, life is full of things to be thankful for.
ReplyDeleteI'm late getting here but still send along a HUG!! xo
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