Doing the best we can with what we have left.
Tundra is a great role model for that. He arrived at the shelter with his rear right leg so smashed that it had to be amputated. But he loves people, so he had no trouble getting adopted after he recuperated. His new people are thinking of using him as a therapy dog…what better way to show children that it’s all right to be different, that a little handicap isn’t important.
Unfortunately there was brief hitch at his new home, so he had to spend a few more nights at the shelter for his own safety. His new home has a chain link around the backyard, but it needed more work to be Tundra-proof. When his people had to leave for a while and left him in the yard, he simply dug his way out under the fence. My husband joked, “It sounds as if he still has too many legs.” No, I don’t think so, he just loves to be with people and is quite capable of finding them. Handicap? What handicap?
I wouldn’t call the loss of a limb a “little” problem.
Looks to be a happy dog.
The limitations were living with Tundra, and not he living with them!
Precisely, what handicap? Let me share a story about handicap in my next blog post.
I hiked everyday with the neighbor dogs. One had a front leg amputated. He saw his brother digging a hole & tried to help with only one front leg. It didn’t work.
I believe that spirit capable to overcome limitation. I see someone without hands able to produce beautiful painting with his mouth. He has successfully to overcome his limitation.
Perhaps, NO spirit is the biggest limitations.
How are you Bikehikebabe? Hope everything going well. Enjoy the life because the life itself is beautiful.
Mike,
I would agree, but Tundra seems to be doing just fine. As bikehikebabe points out below, he would have a harder time digging if it had been a front leg.
Grannymar,
Tundra is a love, so I imagine his people think he’s worth the trouble. 😉
rummuser,
I’m looking forward to reading it.
bikehikebabe,
I can imagine a front leg would make it almost impossible for him to dig.
tikno,
I agree, having no spirit is the ultimate handicap. Well said!
tikno, Life is looking good. The stress is gone. Tom & I aren’t yelling at each other anymore. Most of the stress was caused by him not knowing where anything is, I not giving a good enough description where it is, & my not being able to go get it. (He doesn’t know where his own stuff is.)
P.S. I had a hip replacement 2 weeks ago.
This is yet another example of how we can learn from nature/animals to just deal with things isn’t it? Reminds me of the calendar I have, all the pictures painted by “handicapped” artists, some paint with their toes, some holding the brush in their teeth – just amazing! They can out-paint a lot of people I know in the art league. Like you said, handicap? What handicap?
Bikehikebabe,
Like one day, enemy become friend, hatred become love, stress become happy, and conversely. All just illusion. All just go into our memory after we getting old.
If Tom yelling to you, it mean you are not lonely. Love and yelling each other…, actually is same. Both are same as the unforgettable beautiful memories.
P.S. I love you.
Jean, I’m sorry if out of the topic because I want yelling to Bikehikebabe.
Jean, dogs are good people! I’ve seen them tolerate more personal misery without complaint and stay pleasant and agreeable in the process.
Conrad,
I agree!
Dogs are the most wonderful creatures. They show so many fine qualities and I often feel myself humbled by their sincerity and the genuineness of their affection. Three cheers to Tundra! He has more character than many people I know.
Ashok,
Yes, dogs can be incredible. The Wall Street Journal just had an article about a psychiatric-service dog who is looking after a man with post-traumatic stress syndrome. He senses when the man needs to take his medications and nudges him: http://online.wsj.com/article/SB124727385749826169.html
He also soothes the man when he has nightmares, etc. It warms my heart just thinking of him.
Here’s a picture of a new dog at the shelter. For some reason they named him Smiley. 😉