I have had pets all of my life.  As a child, we usually had at least one dog.  We had a parakeet that I got at the local G.C. Murphy store, and Mum got the cage with her S&H Green Stamp books.  How many of you remember those days?

I loved taking care of animals.

Not all of the animals we owned were house pets.  During my early years, we had a small barn.  For several years we had rabbits, chickens, and even two pigs.  I learned valuable lessons about how animals could provide a family with food, including a daily collection of eggs.  Despite the life lessons, the animals have always provided me with companionship, and at times, entertainment.  Occasionally they have created a scare.

As an adult, I am no different.  When I was an apartment-dweller, I had small animals.   I had a gerbil named Jake, a dwarf hamster named Zasmarkany Willem, and a guinea pig named Elmer.  When I was able to move to a house, a dog moved in not long after.  Ezmirelda (aka Ezzie) was a beloved Boston Terrier who let me live with her for 13 years.

When Hubby and I met, Ezzie had been long gone.  I had not yet allowed another dog to replace her.  He had a Boxer named Franco who quickly stole my heart.  Our hearts were broken after his sudden departure across the rainbow bridge last December, and there was a big empty spot in our lives.

Enter Jaxon… a now nine-month old Boxer.

This weekend Jaxon gave me a scare.  He had a drastic change in behavior from his usual bouncing-off-the-wall, crazy Boxer puppy self.  He became tired.  He would not eat.  He whimpered with certain movements.  My nurse-mode kicked in and I started trying to examine him for any signs of injury.  I could not recall any particular event that happened.  He loves to run and jump.  He also likes to collect apples from under the apple tree.  Perhaps it was a bee sting?  I could not see any hives, nor was he scratching anywhere.

I was awake off and on all night, monitoring him.  I just wanted to be with him and let him know he was not alone.  I went into a slight panic thinking “what if…”

This morning marked almost 24-hours of his changed behavior.  He had not had anything to eat, and very little to drink.  Despite that, his bodily functions seemed normal.  We called our friends at the veterinary office and they were quick to make an appointment.

After an examination and x-rays, it seems Jaxon has endured some sort of muscle strain in his back.  He was sent home with muscle relaxer, an anti-inflammatory, and instructions to rest.  Rest will be easy today.  I am resting a bit easier too.

Pets are a bittersweet life experience.  For those of us who have them, we cannot imagine our lives without them.  We are driven crazy by their antics at times, yet we forget all of that when they nuzzle up to us after we have been gone, or in the quiet evening hours. 

We KNOW that it is eminent that we will experience the pain that comes with losing our beloved companions. 

Most often, we will do it all again.

People who have not had pets have a hard time understanding our quirkiness when it comes to our furry family members.  They are just that… family.  We accept them into our lives and with that, accept 100% responsibility for the rest of THEIR life… no matter how long.

Here is a toast to the pet owners out there.

Here is a toast to my Mum who is proud to have a grand-dog.

Here is a toast to those of you who have loved, and lost…May your heart remain open.

There is a pet out there that needs you because they have lost.