Daily Miracles

I watch my dear 12-year old dog Jordan struggle to his feet with my help and I know I am witnessing a miracle.

Jordan is battling either a cancer or an auto-immune problem. We made the decision not to send him in for surgery because of his age. He has an enlarged spleen and liver and although we think he must be in some discomfort, we do not think he is in pain. Over the months, Dr. Ling the vet has put him on high dosage of steroids and an anti-biotic. These have helped him.

Last Tuesday, he developed an infection around his left shoulder and elbow. The whole area was an angry mess of red swellings and runny pus! A quick dash to the vet saw him being pricked, poked and dripped! During the whole procedure, he did not once show any aggression in spite of being in pain. He winced twice. All the time, he had his eyes on Woon Yi who was beside him. His eyes were alert and although had hints of being tired, they glowed with trust.

We took him home attached to a drip and watched over him for the next 2 days. He was too weak to stand for long and was not able to get to his feet or turn on his own. So, we helped him. We found ways to assist him to pee and poo without falling, and kept his dignity in tact.

He never lost interest in his food and ate with gusto. He endured the twice-a-day cleaning of his wounds with much stoicism. The drip came off and he resumed his daily life free from being attached to it. So albeit his wobbliness and occasional trips and falls, he is able to enjoy his short walks in the garden and a rather long trot to the kitchen, his favourite place!

I have learnt so many valuable lessons from watching this lovable creature of God's creation. I learnt acceptance and gratitude; patience and long suffering; love and faithfulness; gentleness and dignity; and faith and trust. When I caught him looking at Woon Yi at the clinic, it got me thinking about how and when we look at God. Do we look at Him with such trust?

So each day that Jordan walks on his wobbly feet, is a miracle: An extra day for us to enjoy each other.

We thank God for him.