I love my Dog; How She Saved Me From Myself
I love my dog!
Haha. Ya Ya, you know that already.
But there is more to it than that. Mia came into my life when she was itty bitty. My now ex boyfriend had brought her home for me. I had no idea what to do with a puppy and even more so had NO idea what joy she would bring into my life.
I was in my early 20’s, with no purpose in life, I honestly barely had goals or aspiration in life. During this time I had been in an up and down battle with my addiction. I smoked cigarettes and often was unemployed. One evening I was setting on the front stoop smoking cigarettes throwing Mia a ball and scrolling through Facebook with some frustration as I saw friends out living fun and adventurous lives, one girlfriend had just ran a Marathon. I said to myself, I want to do that. I needed a reason and goal to encourage me to quit smoking anyway, I knew I could do it I just had never gave myself a purpose. I grabbed some old tennis shoes in my closet grabbed my dog and set off. We would run, walk, run walk – I signed up for my first 5 miler. I kicked ass. I wasn’t fast ok. However, I did it and that was all that mattered to me. Then I signed up for a 10k, which was at a beach and Mia could run with me, I was on cloud 9. I was clean, I had been smoke free and I felt like I was on top of the world. I later found myself at a local running store where I picked up a flyer for a running group. Again, I grabbed my dog and showed up and never looked back.
With Mia I never had to feel alone, I always had her to show up with me and accompany on the times I felt scared and lonely. I took her everywhere with me! And you know, honestly I truly believe it brought her just as much joy as it brought me! (Tears filling in my eyes). I soon signed up for my first half marathon with the running group, smashed that. Then my first marathon, then my first 50k. All along, Mia would join me on most of my training runs. In 2015 she was able to 18 miles with me one weekend, it would be her first and her last. She handled the 18 miles just fine however, I knew in my heart it was too much for her.
She started to age quickly at this time. I actually wonder if my love for this dog became stronger at this point. A few days after the 18 mile run, I found her in the yard barely able to squat to pee, my heart was broken. I got her in immediately to the vet. Who did a round of x-rays. Telling me pretty much what I already knew. Mia had osteoarthritis! I was literally devastated. We left with a prescription for pain medication. Over the next few days, I gave her the pain meds as he suggested. Mia wouldn’t eat, she wouldn’t eat ANYTHING!!!! She would barely move. I researched the product and was mortified by the side effects. I stopped giving her the medication and spent hours researching to find her a Holistic Veterinary Clinic. Here I thought I was going to have to travel to the City (Portland or Seattle) to find such care. NO, I found an amazing vet in my back yard!! I walked in and first of all he loved Mia. So obviously this guy is already a winner to me! After an hour visit going over her history and X-rays, we left with a “Prescription” to loose 10 lbs and he suggested I make her food (post soon to follow). Baby girl crushed her goals, lost the weight and has gained years back from his recommendations and care.
Fast forward to today:
Mia and I are still out crushing trails, we just do it differently these days. Mia doesn’t run as much, maybe 3 Miles. We take her hiking and backpacking. She loves walks on the beach, quiet walks to the lake, chasing balls, helping me cook (picking up carrot peels) and loves to eat coconut oil, butter and licks my spoon. She loves to soak in the sunshine and long road trips.
Having Mia gave me the courage to pull myself out the life I was living and gave me the ability to allow myself to welcome I life I deserved to live.
So next time I flood my Instagram with photos of my beloved doggo, remember how special is she is. I never wonder if I deserve her because I know I do!