Little did I know when I met a six toed, scrappy little mongrel named Coco she would become my greatest teacher and best friend. Like most heroes, she came from inauspicious beginnings. Her mother escaped a fighting ring with bits of wire fence still embedded into her cuts. Coco’s Mama was so sick, wounded and starving, no one believed she could bring her pups to term, much less give birth to ten with eight survivors.
One of the smallest in her litter, Coco still ran the lot of them. Bright, quick, and agile, her Kung fu was strong! Yet she was a sensitive, kindhearted Dom. A mush-pot. Already, I was learning from her.
On the long ride home I discovered the six toes. She had gnarly, dangerous dew claws in the back, dainty ones up front. The back pair needed removal before they caught on something and crippled her. We arranged to have them amputated when she was spayed and micro-chipped so that we only needed to sedate her once. Unfortunately the surgery proved more complicated than anticipated. Her temperature dropped on the table. The new technician assisting in the surgery placed a hot water bottle on her side to bring it up. In her inexperience, she forgot to check the temperature. Coco was severely burned.
No human realized this until nearly a week later when her hair dropped out and her skin turned black. In the meantime, she forgave us the countless times that we must have caused her agony by lifting her and holding her in this area. As she forgave and continued to trust, so did we. The veterinarian and the vet tech both cried when they realized what had happened. They took full responsibility and gave her extra special care for the many months of her recovery. Receiving and offering redemption, are there really any bigger lessons in this world we need to practice over and over?
Coco continues to teach me. Simple wisdom. Without words: Wake up happy. Stretch and shake. Eat. Sleep. Play. Walk. Comfort others. Give hugs. Only kiss the people who want them. Take gently. Enthusiastically welcome. Love unconditionally. Trust. Except for squirrels. Squirrels are evil.
Get to know the sort of creature you are. Never be ashamed of your animal self. Not that I am advocating licking your privates in the middle of the living room rug. Or smelling the privates of others for the information therein. But I believe we were given this particular existence for a reason. These strengths and limitations are ours to explore. Enjoy your body and all it can do with a glad heart.
When all was said and done Coco was left with a nifty scar that looks much like a lightning bolt. Not unlike a certain Mr. Potter. She is “The chosen dog.”
Lucky Pilgrim 