Grace in Small things- Part Six

1) Running an hour on the elliptical machine like it's nothing, when three months ago I'd have been panting after 15 minutes.

2) Placing an IV catheter on a severely debilitated animal, and feeding it in with one shot. And three days later, seeing him go home healthy thanks to those fluids!

3) Thank you notes. This is a fading art, and shouldn't be. They are guaranteed to brighten someones day and make them feel instantly appreciated.

4) Sit, Stay, Lay Down, Come and Kennel. Those are the five commands Luna knows, and I taught them to her all by myself! Every time she obeys, I feel proud of both of us.

5) Blueberry waffles smothered in buttery goodness. Nuff said!

Grace in Small things- Part Five

1) The wonder that is Pseudoephedrine. What an amazing little drug it is, all that sinus pressure, runny nose relieving, life giving-back force in one tiny little pill. I would never have gotten through this week without you.

2) Cream cheese, crackers and mashed potatoes- the three foods I can not live without when I am sick. Without you, I would have starved!

3) A whole week-end in the mountains with friends. Forty-eight hours where I didn't have to worry about feeding animals, medicating them, housecleaning or bills. And on the flip side, the excitement of returning to it all!

4) Sea creatures! Is there anything cooler in the whole world?

5) Living without being surrounded by bright city lights. I'm now intimately aware of the days getting longer, and enjoying every second of watching spring arrive!

Grace in Small things- Part Four

1) Getting to meet Hope. This sweet natured girl was almost dead on the side of the road. Her new owners wanted to do anything to save her. I wanted to do anything to save her. Despite our team effort, she didn't make it. Heartbreaking as that is, I know that the last two weeks of her life were safe, warm and full of love. She may have spent her life as a hungry, unwanted stray, but she died a well cared for member of a family.

2) Getting to meet Hank. He came in with diabetic ketoacidosis; extremely, extremely ill, yet sat in our lobby like the king of the world, greeting other clients like they were there to see him, accepting pets and treats even in his weakened state. Between him and his sweet-natured owners, it was love at first sight. Sadly, he was another one that didn't make it. But on the flip side, he left this world surrounded in love and kindness. What else can you ask for?

3) Kittens! Wild kittens that climb curtains and bite noses!

4) Lucy and Ethel, the two doe that I see together almost every day. They are beautiful, and don't even run from my car anymore, just stare at me as I go by. Have I mentioned that I love deer?

5) Reruns of Friends, especially the first couple of seasons. I remember watching them in 4th grade, but relate to them so much more now! And laugh even harder!

Grace in Small things- Part Three

1) The thud followed by the jingling of tags that happens every time I call Tabitha's name. (The thud is her jumping down and the jingling is her running to me)

2) Kody and Bouvre curled up together, asleep.

3) Seeing a someone stop on the side of the road to help a stranger change a flat tire.

4) The waitress who listened to my grandmother tell her the same story three times at dinner- and laughed like it was the first time she'd heard it every single time.

5) Seeing a laterally recumbent cat found on the side of the road go home healthy with her new loving owners.

Grace in Small things- Part Two

1) A note from a client addressed to me, thanking me for the compassion that I showed their family and their kitty during his final moments.

2) A horse who, despite having sore feet, nuzzled my cheek and licked my hands the whole time the farrier was working on her.

3) Having a job that I love, working with people that I love, working with animals that I love, working with clients that I love... when it seems like everyone around me is being laid off, taking pay cuts, or staying at a job that they hate for fear of not getting another.

4) The strange kind of happiness that comes from watching all the SAW movies in one night with someone who has an identical sense of humor as you. And the same need to figure everything out, and analyze every last detail.

5) Spending a Sunday wading in the creek with my dogs... in February!

Grace in Small things

Last week, I was having a grumbly, grumbly bad day. Tabitha erupted in allergic skin lesions that developed secondary infections almost overnight. Buddy Luck was peeing out of the box, and I found that he had a terrible UTI. I had to change his diet, which means that I now have six pets eating five different kinds of (expensive!!!) food. I was playing beat the bank with my electric and credit card bill, whose interest just went up. A cat had a feral moment and ripped down my leg before whipping around and biting my hand. I was just plain old stressed.

And then this lady came in with her very, very sick kitty. She had four children under the age of six- one of which was a six week old baby. A week before her baby was born, her husband had been laid off of work, so when she went on maternity leave they had no income. Zero. Her husband had struggled to find a new job for weeks, and money was very tight. And then on top of that, their beloved cat was ill and in need of medical attention. After spending a few minutes with her, and seeing the exhaustion radiating from every inch of her body, I pretty much felt like an ass for being so grumpy about my admittedly small problems!

This really is a time where we should be thankful for what we have, so I am going to copy my friend Katie who has started doing this- basically, posting five things that have graced my life every day. Except that there is no way that I will be doing this EVERY day- I don't have that kind of commitment. But I do want to remember to bask in the happy things in life, and not dwell on the bad.

So, here are my first five "Grace in Small Things."
1) Friends who build me up and tell me that I am doing the right thing even when I feel like I am being total jerk. And an idiot. And then spend 20 minutes telling me why I am I am neither of those things.
2) Gilda sighing, and resting her head on my lap in a totally trusting moment when just one month ago she was given good reason to never trust a human being again.
3) Cats who cuddle up with me and purr.
4) Being told, "It is amazing the way you can make me feel like you love my pet as much as I do when you are taking care of her... thank you."
5) Buddy Luck sleeping in the bed with the rest of us every night since starting on Amitriptyline, fully content and feeling great!