Getting Rid of the Old and Other Tales

Doc says the world is in an upheaval right now. Even she is a little more on edge lately. I do my best to keep her focused and calm and when I asked her what was wrong she told me that many humans are feeling anxious.

I guess every person, just like dogs respond to what makes them uncomfortable in different ways. Doc’s go to response when she is feeling stressed is to stick to a schedule and focus on what she can control. I swear the planets would be getting ready to collide and she would still stick to a plan.

So guess what Doc has me helping her with? Organizing and getting rid of things we don’t need and that includes my stuff. Right after Christmas she started by ripping things out of the closet and she instructed me to do the same things with my belongings. ” Make three piles, she said. One to recycle, one to donate and one to toss.” “Really! I complained, my toys and blankets don’t even take up that much room!”     ” That’s not the point Grover, there are homeless dogs at the shelter that can benefit from the things you don’t use.” ” Ok Doc,” I responded quietly. I knew I would just sound like a butt head if I refused after she said that.

Yesterday after we were done with work and some more cleaning she told me to get in the car. I didn’t know where we were going but heck, I was getting out of the house. We ended up down at the Ohio State fair grounds and got in a line of cars. When  I asked Doc what we were doing she told me she was getting her first COVID shot. I must have looked concerned because she told me not to worry that I would not be getting one. When it was Doc’s turn she pulled up and a very nice Fireman/Paramedic asked her a bunch of questions and then gave her a shot right in the arm. I was proud of her, she didn’t even cry like I did when I got my flu shot a few weeks ago. She was then instructed to drive outside and wait 15 minutes next to the red ambulance where there were paramedic’s in case she had a reaction.  When the time was up we drove home.

By the time we got back to the house I was worn out. After I ate dinner, I jumped up on the couch for a quick snooze and fell sound asleep.  This morning Doc work me up at 5:30 am.  When I asked her how she was feeling she said all she had was a little soreness in her arm from the shot.  We then went upstairs and started doing counseling at 6am sharp. Just another day that I am feeling thankful for.  

“There is a calmness to a life lived in gratitude, a quiet joy.” Ralph H. Blum