Second Chances

Yesterday we went to see the vet with our Mackie, our Malamute-Husky. He wasn’t doing well at all. On May 31st we got the news his illness was terminal. There was no treatment, accept for painkillers to stall the inevitable a bit. The message I got was that, worst case scenario, we may have only a week together left.

The painkillers brought some relief. And each day we found something fun for both Mackie and Billy to keep the spirits up.

Mackie’s usual big appetite faded and we thought of new treats and menus to have him eating and keeping up his energy as much as possible. We got them ice cream, the good treats from the pet store, and mixed baby food into their bowls. We did extra walks outside that were shorter, but would keep his muscles as strong as possible while Billy ran circles around Mackie. Mackie watched him with a look as he’s was thinking “You silly goofball, haha!”.

Our strategy paid off. Mackie’s health still declined, but the process was much slower that I thought. The focus was on the surprises in his bowl, the treats, occasional new toys and long sleeps in his favourite spot.

It’s really amazing how small changes can do so much good. All the things mentioned above; hardly any trouble, but they mattered so much!

We all grew closer and our lives of course were impacted by Mackie’s illness, but also deepened.

As of last week, Mackie was on his ninth (!) bottle of painkillers and his health took a dive. He didn’t want to take them with the piece of sausage I had is wrapped up in for a few weeks. He ate less. Even if it was freshly cooked chicken with veggies.

The day before yesterday his paws kept slipping and there was hardy any strength to get up from our stone floor. He pushed himself towards the front door. I wasn’t allowed to help him. Touching him hurt too much. Outside of our apartments there’s carpet on the floor. He got some grip and got up. But his walk was wobbly and weak. Time to call the vet again.

Do you know the phrase “hope floats”?. It really does. Especially in stormy weather. My version was me sobbing on the small field of grass besides or appartement building. I watched Mackie sitting and sniffing the air with his head turned towards the sun. A neighbour saw me. He was also walking his dog. He talked to me and understood my tears. He had kind words that lift me up a bit.

Yesterday morning at 5 AM I sat beside him. He put his head on my leg and I petted him. The message I got is that he wasn’t ready to part yet and he still wanted to go on. I wanted to go on too. Even if it’s just a week. We both weren’t ready to say goodbye in this life. Even if I had many experiences telling me that there is no such thing as goodbye…  Maybe, just maybe we got really lucky a second time? Maybe Father Time would extend his blessing just a bit longer?

The vet had some good news. There was another painkiller we could try. Yesterday evening his walk was better. Mackie woke me up at 4 AM and wanted to go outside. He was standing on his own four paws more firm than in the last two weeks. And even made a small happy jump when I got his leash.

So we walked. Together with Billy, in the middle of the night in the park under a half clouded sky. Just us. Plain and simple.

I always knew I like things simple, raw and real. Since yesterday I came to realise it’s because it’s easy to see what’s really there without any fluff or distractions hiding it. I LOVE my kids and dogs and they LOVE me back. This is what I live for. It’s my core. And to me this is what true wealth looks and feels like. No matter how hard, messy or chaotic it may become at times.

I’ve been reading Jeremy Renner’s book. I’m so glad he wrote it afterall. It’s another testament to what true wealth really is and another proof that we never really are alone, even if we feel that way at times. Family (origin or chosen) is so important and… strangers care. The vet and her staff did a fantastic job with Mackie. Yes, they’re trained professionals, but also; they care.

After I got run over by a scooter in July of 2022, it was a stranger who tended to my wounds and prevented a much worse fate. So can you consider them “strangers” really?

With all the division in the world, my own small experiences like this restores the faith in my fellow men. People are good. We just get lost at times. We focus on our differences and not what we have in common. Maybe we just need a second chance. To realign, to go to the core…

So here we are. Mackie, Billy, my kids and me. We got a second second chance to spend some quality time together with the 6 of us. I feel blessed and so grateful. Not everyone is granted extra time, so we are surely going to make the most of it!