Voicemail Male

By Ken Heath

Life is a Roller Coaster

Itseems like yesterday we were here, you following my story as we struggled with our sweet Sophie and her sister Sadie, our beautiful yellow labs, as we eventually lost our battle with chronic kidney disease that took these fine, fine dogs from us just six weeks apart. You’ve celebrated with me as Miss Reagan, a Dudley Yellow Lab pup, joined our family and she and I adjusted to each other, even going to obedience school (where she passed with flying colors. Me? The verdict is still out!). And you’ve welcomed Sir Scottie, our terrier mix that showed up on our porch one predawn morning, as he melted my heart and joined the Heath tribe here at The Cliffside.

A couple weeks ago, as Reagan nested at my feet, my Angel napped on the nearby couch, and Scottie nestled in my arms, I noticed a slight bump on his right hip. A quick trip to the vet, a round of antibiotics, and no progress meant we were back at the vet in early June. Scottie underwent surgery, a bump removed from each hip, with tissue sent off to the lab, and an honest but unpromising word from our vet.

“I’ll be honest,” she said. “It looked very angry once I got in there.”

My thoughts are where yours are. My prayers quickly followed, begging for a better diagnosis asap. It’s almost a week later as I write this, and still no word. Scottie is eating, playing, not missing a beat. His human dad—well, that’s another story. I notice his every movement as he naps, and I scare so easily if he doesn’t respond instantly to my call. He’s been restless a couple of these nights, stirring in the wee hours, and I’m moving to the recliner to hold my pup while my Angel gets somewhat of a decent night’s sleep.

I got used to the ritual. Both Sadie and Sophie got very restless, and I didn’t want to miss a single second of having them with me. So, I don’t mind it now.

It gives me more time with my pups, Reagan by my feet, Scottie in my arms. And it gives me more time to pray.